POWER WRITING

What is POWER WRITING ?  A writing strategy to help you with short answer, extended response, and essays.  Gives you a formula for each type of paragraph.  Teaches you the different types of sentences that go in responses.

When will I use power writing?  Short answer responses  Essays  NOT  In stories  In multiple choice

Types of Sentences in Power Writing #0 sentence = ATTENTION GETTER #1 sentence = CLAIM / Main Idea #2 sentence = MAJOR DETAIL #3 sentence = SUPPORTING DETAIL #4 sentence = CONCLUDING SENTENCE

#0 Attention Getter  Purpose  Grabs the reader’s attention  Hooks the reader in  Where  First sentence of an essay  When  In an essay  NEVER in short answer

#1 Claim / Main Idea  What  A statement that tells which side of the argument someone is on  An opinion  Where  Essay : Last sentence in the first paragraph of an essay  Short Answer : 1 st sentence

#1 – Claim examples  Topic: Should students wear uniforms?  CLAIM against: Students should not be required to wear uniforms at school.  CLAIM for: Students should be required to wear uniforms at school.  Topic: Should kids have cell phones?  Claim against: Kids should not have cell phones.  Claim for: Kids should have cell phones.

More examples…  Topic: Bullying  Claim: Bullying is an issue that schools should address.  Claim: Bullying is something everyone goes through and schools should not address it.  Topic: Exercise  Claim: Exercise is important and everyone should do it.  Claim: Exercise helps people make better food choices.

#2 – Major Detail  What  A general major reason that the claim is being made.  Backs up the claim  Where  Essay : Repeated in ALL paragraphs  Short Answer : Goes after the claim in short answer  How many  Essay : 3 (can be more)  Short Answer: 1-3

#2 – Major Detail EXAMPLES  Topic: Should students wear uniforms?  My claim: Students should be required to wear uniforms at school.  Major Detail #1 : Uniforms make everyone look the same.  Major Detail #2 : Uniforms take away the problems with inappropriate clothes.  Major Detail #3: Uniforms make students look professional.

#3 - Supporting Details  What  Specific examples and pieces of evidence  Backs up the major details  Explains the major details further  Where  Essay : Body paragraphs  Short Answer : 3 rd sentence  How Many  Essay: 2-3 per body paragraph/major detail  Short Answer: 1 per major detail

#4 – Concluding Sentence  What?  Restates the claim in different words  Where?  Essay  1 st sentence of LAST paragraph  Short Answer  Don’t always need one  If using one, last sentence  How many?  ONE

Cell Phones are a Distraction (#1)  Drama or Conversation at Fingertips (#2) **Contact list available (#3) **Texting vs Speaking (#3) **Snapchat (words or typing not necessary) (#3)  Entertainment Readily Available (#2) **Difficult for Teachers to Compete (#3) **Games (#3) **Music (#3) **TV/Movies (#3)  Thinking “Short-Cuts” – aka Search Engines (#2) **Suggest Creative Ideas (#3) **Suggest “Answers” (#3)

EXIT TICKET  Choose 1 claim from the following list: (Best Pet Animal; Most Important Class; School Uniforms; Dating at Age 13; Driving Age; Any )  Write 2 reasons (“the why”) you believe that CLAIM.  Write supporting details for each reason. Claim Statement: I. Major Detail #1 A. Supporting Detail #1 B. Supporting Detail #2 C. Supporting Detail #3 II. Major Detail #2 A. Supporting Detail #1 B. Supporting Detail #2 C. Supporting Detail #3  Choose best Yearbook Cover!