1. Writing a Paragraph

2. “But I already know how to write a paragraph…”
The greatest writers always look at their current skills and work to improve them.
This quick review of writing will form the foundation for the rest of the year.

3. Objectives
Discuss ideas for writing with classmates, teachers, and other writers and develop drafts alone and collaboratively.
Write biographical narrative.

4. 6+1 Traits of Good Writing
Ideas & Content +1
Organization Presentation
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions

5. Content/Ideas Writing: is clear, focused, interesting
expresses original ideas
answers the question or elaborates on the topic

6. Organization Paragraph organization Topic sentence Body sentences
Closing sentence

7. Organization: Topic Sentence
Imagine a movie preview…

8. Organization: Topic Sentence
Let readers know what they’re about to read
Catch readers’ attention and make them want to continue reading
Avoid a boring, “canned” sentence
Example?

9. Organization: Body Ideas that support or explain your topic
Logical order that flows well from one idea to the next

10. Organization: Conclusion
Sum things up in an interesting way
Don’t:
Restate the topic sentence verbatim
Add completely new information
End with a cliché

11. Word Choice Avoid vague, boring language Examples?
Use precise, interesting, vivid language

12. Voice Tone of piece – appropriate for audience and purpose
How might writing for different audiences vary?

13. Sentence Fluency Variety of sentence styles
Smooth, logical transitions
Appropriate transitional words
Examples?

14. Conventions
Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage

15. Model Paragraph
Type here.