Color Coding Paragraphs for my Lawyers SEEING THE BLUEPRINT of Writing/Arguing (take FN/Cornell notes) By: Mi Linda Valverde Stacey Middle School -2012

SEEING THE DNA of Writing/Arguing… …understanding the patterns of of Writing/Arguing in color!

RED = Main Argument MAIN ARGUMENT of the overall essay, aka: main argument or persuading idea aka: thesis sentence aka: proposition/ proposal Look for argument verbs. What the author is proving or trying to “secretly” prove in her writing? (narratives) What is the main or “mini” conflicts in the story? What is the controlling impression from the writer?

Yellow=background BACKGROUND INFORMATION mini DETAILS, summary PLOT of story that really just needs to be there for explanation purposes. This information isn’t used for hard evidence or support of anything. It is just for informational purposes. “mini greens”---there for support but not a whole lot….(judge could say take it out) (“Yellows” tend to look like “greens” but they are less supportive.) “Yellows” don’t strongly argue anything or prove anything really important. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (can be research that everyone knows) HISTORY

“mini reds”: topic sentences (orange) topic sentences Sometimes the “mini reds” feed off the main red You will see the “mini reds” in almost every supporting paragraph or it could be hidden or implied (narrative) Topic sentences aren’t always at the beginning of every paragraph Look for argumentative verbs Topic sentences have to be supported (GREENS). Check to see if they are. It is the best way to find the “mini red topic sentences.”

GREEN=Evidence SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!! HARD EVIDENCE used to prove or help give evidence to support the author’s RED argument. Used to help support an author’s argument HARD supporting details RESEARCH FACTS ANECDOTES (outside short-stories to compare) EXPERT OPINIONS STATISTICS DIALOGUE CITED examples (graphs, dialogue, setting, research) from a text to prove an author’s point This is the HARD EVIDENCE that makes your argument strong! Never leave a “court room”/paper without it!

GREEN=Evidence Imagery!!!!! (in narratives and story writing) Similes, metaphors, idioms Sensory words that bring your idea alive –Sight –Smell –Sound –Taste –Touch Character development/descriptors that are important This is the HARD EVIDENCE that makes your idea/hidden argument strong! Never leave a “court room” without details about the story!

BLUE = Big Idea About Life BIG IDEAS about life, insights, world clincher, personal thoughts about why he/she feel their argument is important, commentary opinions sums up author’s connection to reader and argument (How does this story have to do with me?) the writer tends to restate his/her proposition again (sort of BLUE and RED-argument) just in a way that it connects more to everyone

Some yellows in the Introduction Lots of greens—senses/examples! One hidden “red.” Blues--Big Idea in the conclusion What colors would you see a Narrative Essay look like?

What colors would you see a Persuasive Writing look like? Lots of reds! Lots of greens! Some blues. Some yellows. Little blues.

Some reds. Lots of greens. Lots of blues. Little yellows. What colors would you see a Response to Literature Writing look like?

Now let’s practice color- coding! 1. Red = MAIN Argument/ typically in the intro/ Proposition/Thesis/Statement 2.Yellows= background, general information, history to just give plot on something 3.Orange = topic sentences/support main argument /typically body paragraphs 4.Greens = evidence/ support/ page numbers/expert opinions/facts/senses… 5.Blues = Big Ideas about Life/World/ Opinion

Turn to page. 754 in books (add page number to your notes) The first skateboard was probably constructed in the 1930’s. This skateboard was a homemade contraption consisting of a two-by-four and the metal wheels… Eventually, in 1958, Bill Richards and his son Mark made a deal with the Chicago Roller Skate Company to produce skateboards and the modern skateboard was born. Today skateboarding is a sport enjoyed across the country. From garage hobby to national sport, skateboarding has certainly come a long way. How many sentences are there?

Number 1-5 on Cornell Notes. Try to color-code this paragraph and state why. TWPS Blue-because it is the big idea

Answer? The first skateboard was probably constructed in the 1930’s. This skateboard was a homemade contraption consisting of a two-by-four and the metal wheels…Eventually, in 1958, Bill Richards and his son Mark made a deal with the Chicago Roller Skate Company to produce skateboards and the modern skateboard was born. (more of yellow because it does not help support –GREEN-topic b/c arguing about 1930’s but more of just plot about skateboard-it digresses) Today skateboarding is a sport enjoyed across the country. From garage hobby to national sport, skateboarding has certainly come a long way.

Number 1-5 on Cornell Notes. Try to color-code this paragraph and state why. TWPS 1. Red (overall proposition /argument of work) Blue (because some opinion-weak) 2. Green (evidence) Yellow (gen. knowldedge) 3.Green (evidence) Yellow (gen. knowledge) 4.Blue– enjoyed across the country?opinion 5. Blue—national sport? Red (part of argument)