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I can use organizational/formatting
structures to develop my writing ideas.
◦ Two-Chunk Paragraph
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I can cite the textual evidence that most
strongly supports an analysis of what the text
says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
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Remove the sentence strips from the envelope
and read each one.
Work collaboratively with your group members
to construct a paragraph using all the sentence
strips. What do you think is the correct order?
Each color represents a different part of the
paragraph: Can your determine the parts?
When you have finished, reflect upon your work
by reading the sentence strips from top to
bottom to see if you have created a cohesive
paragraph. How did you do?
September 18, 2013
 Definition:
A sentence that
reveals what the content of the
paragraph will address—the
main idea.
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This is the FIRST SENTENCE of any paragraph.
When responding to a prompt, you can restate part
of the prompt as your TS.
Example: In Helen Keller’s autobiographical essay “Story of My
Life” and the article “Circling Alaska in 176 Days” about
Andrew Skurka’s travels through Alaska both individuals have
new revelations about life as a result of their interactions with
nature.
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Definition: Facts, evidence, proof,
quotations, or specific references
from/to a text that help support the
main idea of the paragraph.
All paragraphs should have AT LEAST 2 TEs.
TEs need to be introduced with transitions.
Example: For example, Keller states “I knew then that
w-a-t-e-r” meant the wonderful cool something that
was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened
my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, and set it free.”
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Definition: A word or phrase that
signals the writer is about to reveal a
detail from a text that is not his or
her own idea.
Transitions help to make a paragraph flow more
smoothly.
Transitions are usually followed by a comma.
Examples:
◦ For instance, for example, in addition, additionally,
consequently, as a result, furthermore, etc.
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Definition: Interpretation, explanation,
analysis, opinion, and/or support that
EXPLAINS WHY THE TE IS IMPORTANT
AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO THE MAIN
IDEA.
Your commentary is YOUR OWN THINKING.
Example: This evidence shows that Keller only truly
understood the meaning of the objects around her after
feeling the water on her hand. This is important because
Keller’s interaction with nature helped her have a renewed
enthusiasm for learning and hope that she could be
successful in life.
Definition: The combination of one
piece of TE and at least two CM
sentences.
 Formula:
◦ 1 text evidence: 2+ commentary
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 Definition:
The sentence at the
end of the paragraph that sums
up what the paragraph has been
about by rephrasing the TS.
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Final sentence—should be unique from TS.
Example: These triumphant discoveries were founded in
struggle and propelled both individuals to develop a
greater sense of purpose in their lives.

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
Remove the sentence strips from the envelope
and read each one.
Again, work collaboratively with your group
members to construct a paragraph using all the
sentences.
Each color represents a different part of the
paragraph.
When you have finished, reflect upon your work
by reading the sentence strips from top to
bottom to see if you have created a cohesive
paragraph.

Uh…how am I going to use this???
◦ I can use organizational/formatting structures to
develop my writing ideas.
 Two-Chunk Paragraph
◦ I can cite the textual evidence that most strongly
supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly
as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Choose 1:
◦ Today I learned…
(explain what you learned using details)
OR
◦ A question I still have is…

3 things I learned today/yesterday…
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2 things I found interesting…
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1 question I still have…
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Does the topic sentence provide background and
a framework for what is discussed in the rest of
the paragraph?
Are all of the concrete details mainly factual in
nature?
Does the commentary include the opinions of the
author?
Is each chunk (1 concrete detail and 2
commentary) related? Is the proper ratio used?
Does the closing sentence provide a summary of
the paragraph?