FACILITATOR: MS. EUREKA DALTON
Modified by: Ms. Amber Walker
Pre-writing
• Know your topic: You can’t write well on a
topic if you don’t have any background
knowledge about it.
• Before you begin writing:
– Gather sources and information about your topic.
– Read about your topic (prompt).
Brainstorming
• After you decide on a topic, brainstorm for
reasons/points for the topic.
• Use a circle map to brainstorm.
• Put the main idea (reason for writing) in the
middle.
• Put everything you can think about this main
idea in the outer circle.
• In the frame of reference, write where you
located, or gathered, your information. (ex. Self,
teacher, textbook, etc.)
Put your
reasons for
your main
idea in the
outer circle.
Put
Main
Idea in
the
Center.
Frame of
reference:
Put your
references
here.
Choosing points
• Decide on the three best reasons/points that
support your main idea.
• Make sure your points are varied, different
from one another, so that they don’t overlap
causing redundancy (repeated ideas).
• Circle the 3 main points you selected on your
circle map.
Choosing points
• Decide on the three best points and put them
in order of importance, from least important
to most important, on a flow map.
Least
Greatest
Opening Paragraph
•
•
Refer to p. 3 in writing folder.
Follow instructions for writing an opening
paragraph.
• Needed parts:
1. Attention getter
2. Main idea statement (by itself)
3. Thesis statement (3 reasons)
Attention getters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Ask a question.
Make a statement.
Give a startling statistic or fact.
Tell a short story (anecdote).
Use a quote.
Define a term.
Opening Paragraph Organization
1. Attention getting sentence 2. Main
idea sentence 3. Thesis statement.
Example:
“Splish! Splash!” went the water as I
dove in the shimmering, emerald blue
pool. I adore swimming. Swimming is
my hobby because it is relaxing, it
exercises the body, and it is
challenging.
Opening Continued: Sample 2
• Ready to experience Southern hospitality at
its best? I did during my vacation to Atlanta;
it is my favorite vacation spot. I got to visit
the Coca Cola Company, tour Martin Luther
King’s museum, and shop at the underground
mall.
Coherence and Organization Check
• Three markers needed in different colors
• Students switch papers (if you desire)
1. Do I/ does my classmate have a main idea or
claim?
2. Is my/her/his main idea clear?
3. Do I/ does my classmate have supporting
points? Are they appropriate?
4. Is there missing information?
After the Introduction, develop ELABORATION.
This is when you provide an explanation and examples to
support (back up) your reasons.
(1)Transitional word/phrase and topic sentence reason
from thesis.
(2)Explanation sentence
(3)Example sentence(s)
(4) Closing sentence
Your paragraphs should have at least 4 sentences in this
order!
Topic sentences:
• A topic sentence tells the reader what a
specific paragraph will discuss.
• You have already written the topic sentence
for each paragraph when you wrote the
thesis statement.
• A topic sentence should be preceded by a
transitional word/phrase. (To begin with,
next, finally, for example)
Sample Topic Sentence:
•
Thesis Statement: Reading is my favorite
hobby because it is inexpensive, I can
choose the topic, and I can do it at my own
pace.
1. To begin, reading is my favorite hobby
because it is inexpensive.
2nd Sample Topic Sentence:
Thesis Statement: Atlanta is my favorite vacation
spot because I got to visit the Coca Cola Company,
tour Martin Luther King’s museum, and shop at
the underground mall.
1st paragraph topic sentence
(transition), Atlanta is my favorite vacation spot
because I visited the Coca Cola Company.
Sample Topic Sentences, continued
Thesis Statement: Atlanta is my favorite vacation
spot because I got to visit the Coca Cola Company,
tour Martin Luther King’s museum, and shop at
the underground mall.
2nd paragraph topic sentence
(transition), Atlanta is my favorite vacation spot
because I had an opportunity to tour Martin
Luther King’s museum.
Sample Topic Sentences, continued
Thesis Statement: Atlanta is my favorite vacation
spot because I got to visit the Coca Cola Company,
tour Martin Luther King’s museum, and shop at the
underground mall.
3rd paragraph topic sentence
(transition), Atlanta is my favorite vacation spot
because of the underground mall.
Explanation & Examples
• This is the most time-consuming step.
• The explanation must always be followed by
an example.
• The reader should have a clear idea of what
you mean after this step.
• The purpose of explanations and examples is
to support your main point/reason.
Explanation
Explanation
Explanation
Example
Example
Example
You need three sheets of loose leaf
• Topic sentence= Transition +Topic sentence
Skip two lines
• Explanation= Transition + Define/clarify
Skip four lines
• Example= Transition + Story
After the Intro, develop Elaboration
• This is when you provide an explanation and
examples to support (back up) your reasons.
(1)Transition, topic sentence reason from thesis.
(2)Explanation sentence. (3)Example sentence(s).
(4)Closing sentence.
Should have at least 4 sentences in this order!
Explanation (To Explain)
• To explain means to give specific details for
something to make it clear to the reader
what you are attempting to say.
• It is helpful to use transitions like:
By this I mean,
to explain,
this means that
Explanation
• Explanation is your own personal
definition/meaning to your topic sentence.
• The text can be used as an explanation of
your topic sentence.
• Generally, the text should be used to explain
what you mean by the topic sentence and
include your own personal twist.
Sample Body Paragraph Including an
Explanation Sentence:
To begin, Atlanta is my favorite vacation
spot because I got to visit the Coca Cola
Company. We toured different rooms that
depicted different times in the history of the
Coca Cola Company.
Notice, I made it clear what I mean by “toured.” I
provided my own personal meaning for it.
Examples
• Examples should be specific illustrations (stories) of
what you have said in your topic sentence and
explanation.
• Examples could include:
Your personal experience with the topic
Other’s personal experience with the topic
A hypothetical (imaginary) personal experience with
the topic
Text example
Sample Body Paragraph Including an Example
Sentence:
To begin, Atlanta is my favorite vacation spot
because I got to visit the Coca Cola Company. I
toured different rooms that depicted different
times in the history of the Coca Cola Company.
For example, while visiting a room that looked
like a long ago drugstore, I was shown how the
cola was mixed by the pharmacist. It was
entertaining to watch the pharmacist mix up
the coke like a scientist in a laboratory.
Transitions
• Insert transitions at the beginning of
each paragraph.
• Insert transitions within the actual
paragraphs (before explanations and
examples).
• You should have several varied
(different) transitions.
Closing Paragraph
•
The closing paragraph must have a
minimum of (3) sentences:
1. Paraphrase the main idea sentence from
the opening paragraph.
2. Paraphrase the thesis statement (3 points)
from the opening paragraph.
3. Closing statement: most important idea,
thought, or feeling to leave the reader with.
(Can be more than one sentence)
Closing Paragraph
• To write a high-quality closing paragraph, you
have to look at the opening paragraph.
• Remember a closing paragraph is a summary
of the major points of your essay. These
major points are included in the opening.
Opening Continued: Sample 2
• Are you ready to experience Southern
hospitality at its best? I did during my
vacation to Atlanta. It is my favorite vacation
spot. I got to visit the Coca Cola Company,
tour Martin Luther King’s museum, and shop
at the underground mall.
Closing Paragraph
• To summarize, visiting Atlanta was just a
dream come true. The Coca Cola Company
presented me with many milestones in Coke’s
history. I will never forget how connected I
felt to Black history at the MLK museum, and
the underground mall was a bizarre treat.
Atlanta is the place to go if someone wants
none ending exploration.
Rough Draft
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Copy the information from your maps into
five paragraphs:
Indent: Introductory paragraph
Indent: 1st point body paragraph
Indent: 2nd point body paragraph
Indent: 3rd point body paragraph
Indent: Closing paragraph
Bowtie & Clincher Sentence
• Each body paragraph needs a bowtie sentence. This
is the last sentence in each body paragraph. So you
should have three: one for each body paragraph!
• It is a summary of the main topic discussed in the
paragraph.
• WARNING: YOU CAN’T DO THIS UNTIL THE ROUGH
DRAFT PHASE because the information from the
body paragraph mapping must be written out.
• (1)Transition, topic sentence including reason from
thesis. (2)Explanation sentence (define). (3)Example
sentences (story) . (4)Closing sentence.
Sample closing sentence for positive
influence essay:
Paragraph 1
To begin, April is a positive influence because she is
supportive. In other words, April gives great advice that
helps me get out of sticky situations. For instance, I lost
my mom’s wedding ring one summer. I was panicked. I
called April and she instantly came rushing over to rescue
me. After helping me retrace my steps, we found the
ring nestled among some clothes in the laundry basket.
April has really gotten me out of some tough spots.
2nd paragraph
• In addition to April’s being supportive, she is also a
positive influence because she is creative. To clarify,
she believes every problem has a solution. One just has
to try and find it. Notably, I wanted to join the military
when I got out of school, but could not lose the 20
pounds to meet the weight requirement. April had me
tape a picture of my chubby self and a picture of the
army emblem on the fridge. Every time I wanted to
snack, I saw my goal. I lost the weight and was so
excited. I can always plan on April to have a plan of
action.
3rd paragraph
• Most importantly, April is a positive influence
because she is motivated. April never gives up
on her dreams. She finds a way to make them a
reality. For example, April became pregnant
while in college, but she did not let that stop
her from graduating the next semester in
Accounting. April always meets her goal no
matter the obstacles.
Sample Body Paragraph Including a Closing
Sentence:
To begin, Atlanta is my favorite vacation spot
because I got to visit the Coca Cola Company.
We toured different rooms that depicted
different times in the history of the Coca Cola
Company. For example, We visited a room that
looked like a long ago drugstore and was
shown how the cola was mixed by the
pharmacist. Visiting the plant was a highlight of
my trip.
Tips for Drafting
• For the first draft, only focus on getting your
ideas on paper in a logical order.
• Put a question mark over a word and in the
margin if you can’t remember how to spell a
word.
Tips for Drafting
• Once you finish,
1. Go back and look for outlawed words.
2. Replace them with better, more descriptive
words.
3. Use more examples or strengthen examples
(add more detail).
4. Use transitions to glue your ideas together.
Pair Goals
1. Orally rehearse- read your essay to your
partner; if you notice errors, stop & edit.
2. Proofread and initial that you agree that the
section is free of each error in a paragraph.
Revising P 21: THERE SHOULD BE NO COLORS, 3-5,
IN THE INTRO OR CLOSING!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
outlawed words- Highlight in ANY COLOR (OL)
IN RED INK, CROSS OUT repeated words and attempt to replace
with other words.
Underline explanation with a red pen. If missing write “NO
EXPLANATION in RED in the margin”.
Underline examples with green. “NO EXAMPLE in GREEN in the
margin”.
Underline other/extra elaboration & CLOSING SENTENCES with
blue. If missing write NO CLOSE
Circle transitions with orange. They should have at least 7!
Circle with red pen & write (AWK) over Awkwardly written
sentence.
Circle words in purple that are used wrong in write (WC) over
them.
EDITING CHECKLIST (PEER EDIT)
USING A RED PEN/MARKER/COLORED PENCIL
•
1.
2.
3.
Use proofreading marks to find
Agreement problems- sub/verb, pronoun, ant
Tense problems- past tense, present tense, etc.
Grammar problems- using a noun where an adjective
should be
4. Punctuation problems
5. Spelling errors
6. Word choice errors (wc)- homophones, homonyms,
term does not fit the meaning of the sentence
7. Revise as necessary (Editing may cause you to have to
rewrite a total sentence for coherence.)
PLEASE USE THE PROOFREADING MARKS ON P. 7 & 8
FINAL DRAFTS DUE
_____________
•
•
•
Please get writing folder from shelf.
RETURN TO PAIRS FROM YESTERDAY.
Make sure your name & your partner’s name is on your
proofreading list.
• RESUME PEER EDITING.
• ONCE, PEER EDITING COMPLETED,
1. HANDWRITERS CAN BEGIN TO WRITE FINAL DRAFT.
2. TYPERS CAN BEGIN A READING LOG OR BEGIN A NEAT
FINAL DRAFT TO TYPE.
Publish
• Publish using Microsoft Word or
handwrite
• MLA Format (if typed)
• Use spell check (if typed)
• Read essay carefully to find any typos or
convention problems.
If typing, follow the following rules:
• Heading (top left):
Name
ELA
Ms. Walker
Date
•
•
•
•
(Place Title Here & Centered)
Use Times New Roman
Use 12 point font & 1’’ margins
Double space
No pictures, color ink, frilly junk, etc.
Congratulations!
•
•
•
•
You have just completed:
Well-structured
Well -elaborated
LEAP-passing
ESSAY!
GRADING SCALE FOR EXPOSITORY
ESSAYS (12 points total)
• A= 12-11 (100%-92%)
• B= 10-9 (83%-75%)
• C= 8 (67%)
• D= 7 (58%)
• F= 6 OR BELOW (50%-0)
Please put items in the following order :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Rubric (put # in the top right corner)
Final draft
Rough draft (color-coded)
Editing Checklist
Revising Checklist
Mapping packet
Other mapping (TOPIC SENT PACKET- STAPLED ON LOOSE
LEAF)
Staple in the above order & pass it to the front.
**Slide info. may vary.