Writing Tools Parts of Paragraph Modes of Writing Elements of Writing Writing Process Vocabulary

Paragraphs What is a paragraph? A paragraph is a group of sentences that tells about one subject or idea. Each sentence must give information about topic. Also, the sentences in a paragraph must be in the right order so your reader can understand the information. THE FIRST WORD IN EACH PARAGRAPH MUST BE INDENTED! A good paragraph usually consists of 4-6 sentences.

The Parts of a Paragraph Topic Sentence- the main idea of the paragraph. Supporting sentences-(details)- include the information the reader needs to know in order to understand the topic. Support your topic sentence. Closing Sentence- reminds the reader of the topic or sums up the information in the paragraph.

PROMPT A prompt is your writing task. It tells you what your are writing about, why you are writing, and whom you writing for.

3 Modes of Writing Narrative – tells a story Descriptive - describes Expository - explains how or why

Narrative Writing Narrative Writing relates a clear sequence of events that occurs over time. Both what happens and the order in which the events occur are communicated to the reader. Effective narration requires a writer to give clear sequence of events. The KEY words in narrative writing are “write a story” or “tell about a time”.

4 Elements of Writing Purpose- what is the writing task. (prompt) Audience – who will be reading my essay? Content- STICK TO YOUR TOPIC! Organization- keep the events in order!

Writing Process Prewriting- Identify your purpose for writing. Organize your thoughts. (OUTLINE) Drafting- get information on paper. (ROUGH DRAFT) Revising-Arrange sentences in the best order. (add and take away) Editing- make corrections to grammar,spelling, punctuation, fragments, commas, and run ons. Publishing – deliver final product. (turn in or read aloud)

Transitional Words Transitional Words and phrases are word good writers use to explain order and time of an event. MOST OF THE TIME TRANSITIONAL WORDS ARE FOLLOWED BY A COMMA!

Transitional Words After, Then, Later, Next, Finally, In the beginning,

Speech Tags!! When writing dialogue, “…” you can mix ordinary tags such he said or she asked with special tags. These words can add hidden meaning or plot clues to your writing.

Speech Tags Accused Apologized Interrupted Muttered Thought Screamed

Narrative Unit

Narrative Writing Narrative Writing relates a clear sequence of events that occurs over time. Both what happens and the order in which the events occur are communicated to the reader. The key words in narrative writing are “write a story” and “tell about a time”. Transitional words are used for narrative writing. Dialogue MUST be used in Narrative Writing! (choose good speech tags) Your story must tell about the characters, the setting, the plot/climax, and the conclusion/resolution!

Model for Narrative Writing Paragraph 1- Introduction Paragraph Paragraph 2- Event 1 (Beginning of Story) Paragraph 3- Event 2 ( Middle of Story) Paragraph 4- Event 3 ( End of Story) Paragraph 5- Closing ( Moral )

Outline for Narrative Writing Introduction- grab the reader and explain what the essay is about!( Consider beginning with dialogue or a question) Event 1 – Begin the story. Event 2 – Middle of the story. (This where the main event takes place) 2nd Hole Rule-Big Moment Event 3 – End of the story Closing – Moral of the story (lesson learned)

PROMPT You are sitting in your classroom and your teacher comes in the room. She places a box on her desk. She leaves the room. Write a story about what happens next.

Narrative OUTLINE Title of Essay 1.Introduction-Grab the Reader 2.Event 1-Beginning of the Story 3.Event 2-Middle of the Story (Big Moment) 4.Event 3-End of the Story 5.Closing-Moral *dialogue and transitional words!!!

The Mysterious Box “Unpack your book bags and get ready for the announcements,” said Mrs. Preston. We were all unpacking and getting ready for the day, but we couldn’t help to notice the huge, brown box that Mrs.Preston had placed on her desk. “Mrs.Preston please report to the office,” asked Mrs.Clark. As she walked out of the room the box began to shake. I rubbed my eyes not believing what I had seen. Sure enough, it did it again. Everyone in the class just looked at each other. Billy from the back that never spoke a word yelled, “What is that?”. Mrs. Preston walked back in the room, but no one said a word. Mrs. Preston began organizing her desk. She announced “begin working on your DOL, we will go over it in 5 minutes,”. She picked up the box and placed it on the floor. We were all wondering what is in that box. While going over our DOL, Mrs. Couch came in our classroom. Mrs. Preston exclaimed, “The box is behind my desk on the floor.”. Mrs. Couch walked over to the box and slowly removed the lid. Everyone in the classroom was as quite as a mouse and intensely watching Mrs. Couch. She reached in the box and pulled out a fluffy, white bunny rabbit. After that we couldn’t wait until we went to Mrs. Couch’s class to see what was going on with the fluffy, white bunny rabbit. Usually the day flew by, but today it was dragging. Finally, it was time for Science class. We lined up outside the hall, and quietly walked in and took our seats. We were anxiously awaiting to see what Mrs. Couch was going to say about the rabbit. Then she took the rabbit out of the box and told us that it was going to be a class pet for fifth grade. She told us that everyone would get a turn on taking him home and taking care of him. Wow! What a great day at school. I am so glad that we are going to have a class pet. I can not wait until it is my turn to take him home. I am so glad that my day started out with a mysterious box.

Narrative – Check for: 5 paragraphs – each paragraphs 4-6 sentences Must have 2 Dialogue Grab the reader in the introduction Keep the story in order DO NOT PUT : THE END