1. STEP UP TO WRITING

2. THE WRITING PROCESS: STEP UP TO WRITING
What is the step up to writing process?
Prewriting and Planning
Drafting, Revising, and Editing
Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and Sharing

3. The Traffic Signal to Writing
Writing by Color
GREEN = GO (Topic Sentence)
YELLOW = SLOW DOWN : Be Specific (Reasons / Details / Facts)
RED = STOP: Give examples (Explain)
GREEN = GO BACK: Restate your topic (Conclusion)

4. GREEN TOPIC SENTENCE “GREEN” means “GO”
“GREEN” says “ I have a place I am going with this paragraph.
“GREEN” asks the writer to decide, “What am I going to prove? “What information will I share?”

5. GREEN
Topic Sentence:
The main topic of the paragraph is stated. In other words, here is where the writer tells the reader what is going to be proven or explained. This the heart of the paragraph.

6. YELLOW Reasons / Details / Facts YELLOW means “slow down”
YELLOW identifies key ideas – reasons, details, or facts.
YELLOW introduces key concepts – reasons, details, or facts.

7. YELLOW Reason/Detail/Fact:
Give the reader a reason, detail or fact that proves or explains the topic.  Transition words or phrases are a good was to start these star/key ideas.  The transitions are like glue; they keep all the pieces together.

8. RED EXPLAIN RED means “Stop and explain.” RED presents evidence.
RED provides explanations and examples.

9. RED Examples, Evidence, Explanation and Elaboration:
The meat of the paragraph contains examples, evidence, explanation and elaboration. Red from the traffic signal reminds students to stop and explain.

10. GREEN CONCLUSION “GREEN” means “GO back to your topic”
“GREEN” means “ restate your topic and the position.”
Do not introduce new information
Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.

11. GREEN
Conclusion:
Time to go back to the topic sentence and make a strong, meaningful connection with it - not just copy it. Think of the conclusion as a green ribbon that ties all of the ideas together and gives the reader something to think about.

12. NOW – IT’S YOUR TURN DEFINE THESE TERMS:
(you may go back and look if needed)
GREEN =
YELLOW =
RED =

13. Writing a Paragraph
The three colors of the traffic light help me remember how to write a simple paragraph.  First, I use green to get me going.  My topic sentence is green; it tells the reader what I am going to prove, going to explain, going to describe, or going to share.  Next, yellow reminds me to slow down and support my topic with good reasons, interesting facts, or well-described details.  I introduce my reasons, details or facts with transitions.  Finally, I see red and it reminds me to stop.  Red examples, explanations, evidence, and events bring my paragraph to life.  My conclusion, of course, is green because I go back to my topic and use my last sentence to remind the reader of the topic.

14. EXAMPLE FOR REVIEW Pandas
My favorite animal is the Giant Panda for two reasons. First of all, I like the panda because iti looks so cute and cuddly. The panda’s black and white body colors are simple, make it stand out, and, look soft. Its sad looking face makes me want to hug it and make it happy. In addition, I am fonmd of the Giant Panda because it is endangered. We all should try to preserve the animals, like the panda, that are in danger of extinction. Cearly, the Giant Panda is the animal I like best.

15. EXAMPLE FOR REVIEW

16. SO, HOW WAS THIS PARAGRAPH CREATED?
Step 1 of the Writing Process: PREWRITING
We will create prewriting outlines using the colors of the traffic signal.

17. FIRST, YOU MUST CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC
TOPIC: PANDAS

18. GREEN – GO – TOPIC SENTENCE
TOPIC: Pandas
GREEN – Giant Panda: Favorite Animal
Remember- Outlines do NOT have to be in complete sentences. They can be simple and we can add to them later.

19. YELLOW – SLOW DOWN – REASONS /DETAILS / FACTS
What are the REASONS that the panda is your favorite?
TOPIC: PANDAS
GREEN – GIANT PANDA: Favorite Animal
YELLOW – Cute and Cuddly
YELLOW - Endangered

20. RED – STOP EXPLAIN OR GIVE EXAMPLES
Explain or give examples to support your yellows
TOPIC: Pandas
GREEN – Giant Panda: Favorite Animal
YELLOW – Cute and Cuddly (Orange/ First)
RED – Colors
RED – Soft Fur
RED – Sad Face
YELLOW – Endangered ( Orange/ Second )
RED – We should try to preserve

21. TOPIC: PANDAS Green – Giant Panda: Favorite Animal
YELLOW – Cute and Cuddly
RED – colors
RED – soft fur
RED – sad face
YELLOW – Endangered
RED – We should try to preserve
GREEN – Rephrase topic sentence.

22. LET’S REVIEW

23. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Either in groups or individually, color code the four paragraphs you have before you.

24. LET’S DO ONE OF YOUR OWN COMPLETE THE SPOTLIGHT PARAGRAPH ORGANIZER ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
What is one challenge teenagers in America face today? How is this challenging?
What is one effective way to peacefully protest, and why is it effective? OR

25. BRAINSTORM:

26. MAKING AN OUTLINE
GREEN =
YELLOW =
RED =

27. LETS REVIEW AGAIN:

28. USING THE GREEN, YELLOW, AND RED COLORS, WRITE A SENTENCE TO MATCH: GREEN = TOPIC AND CONCLUSION YELLOW = MAIN SUPPORTING IDEAS RED = EXAMPLES, EXPLANATIONS, EVIDENCE
Topic: