PACED Paragraph
Format
When you respond in writing to an assignment,
there are a few important steps you should
complete in order to develop well-constructed
written responses.
P - Prewrite
Begin brainstorming about your writing topic or
assignment by sketching out a graphic organizer or
map of what you think you want to write.
For instance….
Why are safety rules important during science labs?
Provide three examples to support your answer.
Science rules
keep students
and equipment
safe.
Let’s Practice….
Writing Prompt:
How would changing the time school starts
benefit students?
Use a web to organize your thoughts.
A - Answer
O The “A” is the first line of your ACED paragraph.
When you begin writing your A, you will need to
keep the following in mind:
O Credit the source (author and title) If they are
not known, leave them out.
O Flip the question into your answer.
O Never tell why unless the question asks why;
this means that you leave out the word because
unless the question asks why.
O Add, “it is clear that,” “it is evident that,” or “it is
obvious that” after the introductory clause.
Take a Look…
Prompt: What is the importance of knowing rules of
grammar?
• Part I Mention the Source and Author:
• English teacher
• Part II Restate the Question:
• The importance of knowing the rules of grammar
• Part III Provide an Answer:
• Understanding the basics will result in better writing.
• Put It Together…
• According to ___________, the importance of
knowing the rules of grammar is that understanding
the basics will result in better writing.
For instance….
Why are safety rules important during science labs?
Provide three examples to support your answer.
According to Ms. Kuntz, safety rules are important during
science labs to prevent injuries to students and damage
to equipment.
Let’s Practice….
Writing Prompt:
How would changing the time school starts
benefit students?
At this point, distribute “A” Practice handouts.
C - Cite
C at Work
• C—Cite an example to support your opinion.
– Start with a transition word or phrase.
– Cite a specific example from what you have
learned.
To begin, Mrs. Lizewski states, “Knowing basic comma
and end mark rules will allow one to better express
ideas to the reader.”
For instance….
Why are safety rules important during science labs?
Provide three examples to support your answer.
First, Ms. Kuntz noted, “Long hair should always be
tied back.”
For instance….
Writing Prompt:
How would changing the time school starts
benefit students?
Thus….we have an “A”nswer
statement and a “C”ite
sentence.
According to Ms. Kuntz, safety rules are important
during science labs to prevent injuries to students and
damage to equipment. First, Ms. Kuntz noted, “Long
hair should always be tied back.”
E - Explain
Explain how the “proof” you cited supports your original
answer. These are called “follow-up detail sentences.”
E at Work
• E—Explain how your cited evidence supports the
opinion you stated in your original answer. Write as
many concise sentences as it takes.
The reader has a developed understanding of language
mechanics, so by using correct punctuation the writer
will provide the reader with directions that will assist in
comprehension of the expressed ideas. Intended
pauses resulting from correct placement of commas
add clarity about the subject.
For instance….
Why are safety rules important during science labs? Provide
three examples to support your answer.
Long hair should be tied back during experiments
because untied hair can be accidentally dragged through
the chemicals being used. This could result in damage to
the hair.
An “A”nswer, “C”ite, and
“E”xplain together…
According to Ms. Kuntz, safety rules are important
during science labs to prevent injuries to students and
damage to equipment. First, Ms. Kuntz noted, “Long
hair should always be tied back.” Long hair should be
tied back during experiments because untied hair can
be accidentally dragged through the chemicals being
used. This could result in damage to the hair.