WRITING STATIONS There are several WRITING STATIONS set up today. The Paragraph Parts slides at each station are the same. When you get to the end of information slides, you will begin writing your first paragraph about Topic Sentence #1. If you do not finish your paragraph at this station, you will continue that paragraph at the next writing station until you’ve written the full paragraph. Once you’ve completed your paragraph, you may then begin Topic Sentence #2. It’s possible you may not complete all the writing tasks today. That’s okay!

Make a statement. Prove a statement. Academic writing is often a simple 1 – 2 punch. Make a statement. Prove a statement.

Writing a Proper Paragraph At this station, you will learn how to construct a strong paragraph. Read carefully. At the end of this station, you will write a paragraph on the Paragraph Parts page of your packet. (If you do not finish this paragraph when the station ends, you will continue working on it at the next writing station.) Strong paragraphs consist of some important parts: 1. A topic sentence is a statement you plan to prove in the paragraph. 2. Context is a brief explanation of background and what is happening in the book when the text is quoted. 3. Textual support, or evidence, is text taken from the book that helps support your topic sentence. 4. Commentary is your reasoning and analysis. Prove your statement! Make a statement. Prove a statement.

“ ” Topic Sentence Context Direct Quotation Commentary Here’s my context. Here’s my quote. What are you proving in the paragraph? What is happening in the story when the quote takes place? “ ” Tag Comma Quotation Marks Exact wording Citation Direct Quotation (Textual Evidence) Commentary What parts of the text support your statement? What does your proof reveal? Why is this important?

The commentary connects directly to the topic sentence. Here’s an example. Topic Sentence Sodapop plays an important role as in his family of three brothers. As the book opens, Ponyboy repeatedly refers to his poor relationship with Darry. Darry even yells at him for walking home from the movies alone. This bothers Pony. This is where Soda’s role becomes important. As he and Pony speak near the end of the chapter, Soda tells Pony, “Listen, kiddo, when Darry hollers at you…he don’t mean nothin’. He just got more worries that somebody his age ought to…He’s really proud of you…he loves you a lot” (Hinton 17). Pony sees his brother as cold and heartless. Perhaps because Darry is his brother—not his father—Pony is frustrated being parented by him. Both Darry and Pony have reasonable concerns. Soda is the one that keeps Darry off Pony’s back at times, and he helps Pony understand some of Darry’s perspective too. In this way, he’s the valuable link that keeps the brothers together. Context Quoted Text Commentary/Analysis The commentary connects directly to the topic sentence. Note: Notice how the commentary is the longest part of the paragraph. Prove a statement.

Now you try!

Task: Use pages 42 to support the topic sentence below. Provide all the elements needed to use supporting quotations. Topic Sentence #1 In Chapter Three, Ponyboy reveals his frustration with Darry. FIRST: Identify the text you plan to use to support this statement. Write the topic sentence. Provide 2-3 sentences of context. What is happening in the story where you’ve taken your quote? Insert a perfectly written quote. (Tag, comma, quotes, exact wording, citation) Provide your analysis. What does your quoted text reveal? Why is this relationship so challenging for Pony? Why might it be difficult for Pony to see Darry’s point of view? IF you do not finish this full paragraph when this station ends, you will continue your work at the next Writing Station.

Topic Sentence #2 Johnny makes a wise decision in Chapter 6. Task: Use pages 87 to support the topic sentence below. Provide all the elements needed to use supporting quotations. Topic Sentence #2 Johnny makes a wise decision in Chapter 6. FIRST: Identify the text you plan to use to support this statement. Write the topic sentence. Provide 2-3 sentences of context. What is happening in the story where you’ve taken your quote? Insert a perfectly written quote. (Tag, comma, quotes, exact wording, citation) Provide your analysis. What does your quoted text reveal? How is this choice better than his alternatives? Why would it have been tough for Johnny to make this decision? What does this decision say about him? IF you do not finish this full paragraph when this station ends, you will continue your work at the next Writing Station.

Topic Sentence #3 Johnny’s injuries from the fire are serious. Task: Use pages 95 to support the topic sentence below. Provide all the elements needed to use supporting quotations. Topic Sentence #3 Johnny’s injuries from the fire are serious. FIRST: Identify the text you plan to use to support this statement. Write the topic sentence. Provide 2-3 sentences of context. What is happening in the story where you’ve taken your quote? Insert a perfectly written quote. (Tag, comma, quotes, exact wording, citation) Provide your analysis. What does your quoted text reveal? How are Johnny’s injuries different from Pony’s? What could this diagnosis mean for Johnny going forward considering what we know of his home life? Why might Dally react differently to this news than the other greasers? IF you do not finish this full paragraph when this station ends, you will continue your work at the next Writing Station.

Sample Quotation and Citation Comma before quoting a sentence Pony said, “Things gotta get better, I figured. They couldn’t get worse. I was wrong” (Hinton 53). End the sentence. Exact wording from the text—even the informal GOTTA is copied because I’m quoting exact wording! Author’s last name Attribute the quote. Page number