Step Up to Writing Is About the Writing Process Prewriting and Planning Drafting, Revising, and Editing Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and Sharing

The keys to an effective paragraph: A titleA title A topic sentenceA topic sentence TransitionsTransitions Good explanations and examplesGood explanations and examples A conclusionA conclusion Informational paragraphs need: 2-4 (2.6)

Now, let’s look at an actual writing sample.

Golf is a great sport to play. It’s fun to pound a golf ball around for nine to eighteen holes. However, to become good you need lots of practice and mental toughness. Practice is easy to come by, but we need toughness too. Personally, I need a lot of mental toughness. Golf can be really fun if you are playing well, but if you are playing badly, it can cause frustration.

Smoking’s Health Toll and Price Tag Although smoking may seem cool, it is very unhealthy and expensive. Many people die from smoking related problems such as cancer, heart disease etc. every year. According to World Book Encyclopedia during the mid-1980s smoking contributed to 30 percent of all deaths from cancer and heart disease in the United States of America. Furthermore, cigarette smoking was associated with 85 percent of all cases of lung cancer. Secondly, smoking is very expensive. If someone smoked one pack of cigarettes every day that cost $3.00 for 50 years it would cost them $54, which is enough money to buy an expensive and luxurious car. On the contrary, if someone put $3.00 a day into a bank or investment institution they would be making hundreds of dollars in only a few years just because of the interest they are collecting. Clearly smoking is very unhealthy and expensive too, so don’t start smoking until you have considered all of the negative effects! Fifth Grade 2-5 (2.7)

G angs are just a bunch of people with nothing better to do. Gangs cause problems. I would not join a gang. Well, maybe if I was with my friends but probably not. My mom is against gangs. The movies are filled with gangs and there are a lot of songs about gangs. Stay away from gangs they are bad for you. 2-1 (2.1)

The Five Elements of Informational Writing Organization is the key. Transitions are the glue. Conclusions tie it all together. Topic sentences and thesis statements are the heart. Examples, evidence, and explanations are the meat. Section 2 (2.8)

Organization is the key. Great Informational Paragraphs 2-8 (2.11)

Topic Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Explain 2-8 (2.14)

Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Conclusion Explain

Topic Cats protect themselves in two ways. Reason/Detail/Fact First, they are able to get away quickly from their enemies. Explain Cats are fast runners. Explain They can climb trees, too. 2-8 (2.14)

Reason/Detail/Fact Next, cats are good fighters. Explain Cats’ sharp claws can inflict pain and discourage attackers. Conclusion Felines can take care of themselves. Explain They can also use their pointed incisors to bite their enemies when necessary. 2-8 (2.14)

Write a topic sentence. Go! Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition. Slow Down ! Explain. Give an example. Stop! Remind the reader of your topic. Go Back! 2-11 (2.19)

Using Colors to Teach Organization Topic Sentence: Green means “go.” Green means “go.” Green asks the writer to decide — “What am I going to prove?” “What am I going to explain?” “What information will I share?” Green asks the writer to decide — “What am I going to prove?” “What am I going to explain?” “What information will I share?” 2-11 (2.18)

Using Colors to Teach Organization Reasons/Details/Facts: Yellow means “slow down.” Yellow means “slow down.” Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence. Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence (2.18)

Using Colors to Teach Organization Explain: Red means “stop and explain.” Red means “stop and explain.” Present evidence. Present evidence. Provide explanation and examples. Provide explanation and examples (2.18)

Using Colors to Teach Organization Conclusion: Green means “go back to your topic.” Green means “go back to your topic.” Restate the topic and the position. Restate the topic and the position. Do not introduce new information. Do not introduce new information. Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember. Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember (2.18)

Accordion Paragraphs Eight Sentence Paragraph: Topic Sentence Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Conclusion 2-8 (2.16)

More Accordion Paragraphs Nine Sentence Paragraph: Topic Sentence Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Explain Conclusion Explain Explain 2-8 (2.16)

More Accordion Paragraphs Eleven Sentence Paragraph: Topic Sentence Reason/Detail/Fact Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Explain Conclusion Explain Explain Reason/Detail/Fact Reason/Detail/Fact Explain 2-8 (2.16)

Informal Outline Made Easy A.Topic 1.RDF a.Explain b.Explain 2.RDF a.Explain b.Explain (Cave Man Talk)

It’s the Color, Not the Form 1_____ 2 _____ 3_____1_____2_____3_____ A. Topic

Informal Outline A. Cats can protect themselves 1.R/D/F Can get away from their enemies 1.R/D/F Can get away from their enemies a. Run fast b. Climb trees 2. R/D/FGood fighters 2. R/D/FGood fighters a.Sharp claws b.Sharp incisors 2-11 (2.27) (Cave Man Talk)

Informal Outlines (Cave Man Talk) Topic = Fun ways to spend a million dollars 2-11 (2.27)

Informal Outlines Topic = Fun ways to spend a million dollars R/D/F Shopping R/D/F Travel 2-11 (2.27)

Informal Outlines Topic = Fun ways to spend a million dollars R/D/F Shopping R/D/F Travel 2-11 (2.27) e New wardrobe, Nordstroms e Paris

Informal Outlines (Cave Man Talk) Topic = Fun ways to spend a million dollars R/D/F Shopping R/D/F Travel 2-11 (2.27) e New wardrobe, Nordstroms e Paris

If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. Outline to Paragraph First, I would go shopping.

If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. Outline to Paragraph First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must.

If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. Outline to Paragraph First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must. Next, I would travel.

If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. Outline to Paragraph First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must. Next, I would travel. Visiting Paris has always been a dream.

If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. Outline to Paragraph First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must. Next, I would travel. Visiting Paris has always been a dream. Being wealthy would clearly make me very happy.

Fun Being Rich If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstrom’s is a must. Next, I would travel. Visiting Paris has always been a dream. Being wealthy would clearly make me very happy.

Now let’s stretch a paragraph into a book…