1. Building Essays: Building Essays: Using the Four Square Writing Method
English Language Fellow, Taiwan

2. Objectives Participants will……
Become familiar with the Four Square Writing Model.
Examine examples of the Four Square Writing Model.
? Create your own essay using
the Four Square Model.

3. Judith S. Gould and Evan Jay Gould
Teaching and Learning Company 1204 Buchanan St., P.O.Box 10 Carthage, IL

4. We know different languages have a different structures for writing.
Introduction
We know different languages have a different structures for writing.
English
(1) Introduction /Topic:
(2-3/4) Reason
Detail
Example
(4) Conclusion – Summarize, Re-state Thesis
Mandarin
(1) Introduction/Topic
(2) Expand on Topic
(3) Compare & Contrast
(4) Conclusion

5. Introduction When we teach math give you formulas
teach science we give you a scientific method
teach reading give you decoding skills
4 Square Method is a way to learn to write.
(for any grade or any subject)

6. What is the 4 Square Writing Model?
„ Four-Square writing is a method of teaching basic writing skills that is applicable across grade levels and curriculum areas.

7. Forms of Composition Expository Narrative Descriptive / Opinion
Persuasive
Compare & Contrast

8. What is the 4 Square Writing Model?
Prewriting and organizational skills are taught through the use of a graphic organizer.
This visual and kinesthetic aid is employed to focus writing, to provide detail and to enhance word choice.
„The visual organizers help students to
conceptualize, understand, and structure a piece of written discourse successfully.

9. Guidelines Four-Square instruction should be done weekly to bi-weekly.
„ It should be accompanied by other writing activities. Ex. Journal Writing
„ It is recommended to use the same prompt repeatedly when introducing the steps because the familiarity will aid instruction.
„ It is important for students to understand the relationship of ideas as demonstrated in the four square format before moving on to paragraphs.

10. 4-Square Primary Categorizing
Pets

11. 4-Square Primary Categorizing with Words
Zoo
lion
zebra
monkey
elephant

12. 4-Square Primary Examples with a Feeling Sentence
Zoo
lion
zebra
monkey
I like going to the zoo to see the animals

13. 4-Square Primary Using Complete Sentences
School is a great place.
Complete Sentence:
Box 2
Reason:
We learn here.
Box 3
We meet friends.
Box 4
We do experiments.
Box 5
Feeling:
I love school.

14. Writing a Paragraph School School is a great place.
Paragraphs are several sentences on the same topic (5 or more).
Now we will transfer the sentences from the four blocks to lined paper for paragraph building.
While class modeling it is best to teach this.
School
School is a great place.
We learn here. We meet
friends. We do experi-
ments. I love school.

15. Adding More Detail
To move from a 5 sentence paragraph to an 8 sentence paragraph; go back to the 4 Square.
Add one additional detail sentence in each box.
Elaboration: tell more about the topic or tell what is so great about it.
School is a great place.
Complete Sentence:
Reason: We learn here.
Detail: I like to learn science.
Reason: We meet friends.
Detail: My best friend is in my class.
Reason: We do experiments.
Detail: I built a volcano yesterday.
Feeling Sentence:
I love school.

16. School School is a great place. I like to
learn science. It is my favorite subject.
We meet many friends here. My best
friend is in my class. Her name is Elsa.
We do many experiments in school.
I built a volcano yesterday. I love school.

17. Moving to a Multiple Paragraph Essay
School is a great place.
Reason: Learn
1. Read (ex. letter/sounds)
2. Math (ex. numbers/ add)
3. Science (ex. world)
Reason: Friends
1. Share lunches (ex. diff. food)
2. Invite over (ex. after studying)
3. Do homework together
(ex. have Qs)
Reason: Play
1. In centers (ex. edu. game)
2. On playground (ex. Recess)
3. Recess (ex. 10 min. break)
School is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and play.

18. School School is a great place.
We learn here. We learn letters and sounds for reading. We study numbers
and addition for math. We are also taught about the world around us in science.
We meet many friends at school. I like to share my lunch with my friends, so I
get different foods. I like to invite my friends from school over to my house when
we are done studying. Sometimes, I need to ask my friends how to do the
homework assigned by the teacher.
There are many opportunities to play during school. I can play educational
games during centers. I play with my friends on the playground during recess.
I also play with my friends during our 10 minute breaks between classes.
School is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and play.

19. Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transition Between Ideas
By now the thesis is developing into three reasons.
These reasons should be different from each other and therefore necessitate the use of transitions & connecting words.
Connecting words can be explained as the “little sticking out part” of the puzzle
Connecting words hold the different parts of the puzzle together!!

20. Wall Poster
Yellow
Green
Red
Yellow

21. Color the border of this wall poster green.
One reason
First
For example
One example
To begin with
To start with

22. Color the border of this wall poster yellow.
Second
Third
Another reason
Another example
Also
As well as
Too
In addition
Additionally

23. Color the border of this wall poster red.
Last
Finally
In conclusion
In summary
In short
So you can see
As one can see
To summarize
Hence

24. Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transitions Between Ideas
School is a great place.
First,
Learn
1. Read
2. Math
3. science
Also,
Friends
1. Share lunches
2. Invite over
3. Do homework together
In addition,
Play
1. In centers
2. On playground
3. Recess
As you can see,
School is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and play.

25. School School is a great place.
First, we learn here. We learn letters and sounds for reading. We study numbers
and addition for math. We are taught about the world around us in science.
Also, we meet many friends at school. I like to share my lunch with my friends, so I
get to try different foods. I like to invite my friends from school over to my house when
we are done studying. Sometimes, I need to ask my friends how to do the homework
assigned by the teacher.
In addition, there are many opportunities to play during school. I can play educational
during centers. I play with my friends on the playground during recess. I also play
with my friends during our 10 minute breaks between classes.
As you can see, school is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and play.

26. Expanding the Introduction
Use the Same Graphic Organizer!
Topic Sentence
(Center of 4 Square & Box 2)
Prepare your Readers
(Give them a little more information in
boxes ¾)
Wrap-Up Sentence
(Without connecting word in box 5)

27. Expanding the Introduction
Ultimatum
Question
Proverb
Quote
School is a great place.
Hook:
For students, this environment can be either a prison or a gateway for freedom, however;
Prepares Readers:
You can expand your mind and socialize with many new companions.
Ideas are created and formed as you prepare for the future.
Wrap-Up Sentence:
School is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and play.

28. Improving the Concluding Paragraph
Wrap-Up Sentence with Connecting Word / Words
Personal / Reflective Sentence, Question, or Exclamation
Example:
As you can see, school is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and play. I will always cherish the friendships and relationships I made while learning.

29. ALWAYS MODEL!
When moving from the information from the 4-Square to the multiple paragraph essay, model by:
The whole class builds a 4-Square.
Build the story one sentence at a time
As the composition is built one sentence at a time, students copy it down.
During this time, the teacher integrates rules of composition.

30. Make Your Own 4-Square Template
Connecting Word:
_______________________________ 1. 2. 3.
(4.)
________________________________ .
Wrap-Up Sentence:
________________________________________________________________________________________________

31. Different Types of Essays
Expository-
Usually nouns in boxes 2-4
Narrative-
Boxes 2-4 are events or verbs
Descriptive & Persuasive-
Information in boxes 2-4

32. Narrative In the beginning Cat food commercial came on Dancing cats
Singing about food
I said “How cute”
During the commercial
My cat got angry
Arched his back
His hair stood up
Hissed aloud
Just then
He spoke to me
Called the commercial foolish
Said the food was gross
Told me never to buy it again
Since that day
Never spoken again
Stopped buying food
My cat is not allowed to watch TV.
The day my pet spoke to me Who? My cat and I What? Relaxing Where? At home When? In the evening Why? It had been a long day

33. One evening I was relaxing at home
One evening I was relaxing at home. My cat and I were watching television. It had been a long day, and I needed some time to wind down. In the beginning of our favorite show, a commercial came on for a brand of cat food I usually buy. This commercial had adorable little dancing cats. The cats were singing about the cat food. I thought it was cute, and I laughed out loud. During this commercial my cat got angry. He stood up and arched his back. The hair on his back was standing up. He let out an ear-splitting scream. Just then, he started talking. He called the commercial foolish and snarled at the television. My cat told me that brand of cat food was gross. Then he told me never to buy it again. I had always thought that he liked the stuff! Since that day my cat has not spoken again. I did stop buying that brand of cat food. But because of his ill-mannered hissing and growling, my cat has had a limit placed on his television time.

34. Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place.
Descriptive Essay
One reason
The grass
Green
Neat
No weeds
Also
Memorial Park
Plaques
Jerseys
Baseballs
Too
The electricity
Always there
Shouting fans
Memory of greatness
As one can see
Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place because of the grass, Memorial Park and the electricity in the air.
Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place.

35. Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place
Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place. The beauty can be seen in the grass and Memorial Park, and it can be felt in the electricity in the air. I love to visit there. One reason it is so beautiful is the grass. It is always frog-green. The lawn is manicured and perfectly cut. Weeds are prohibited from entering. Also, Memorial Park is a special place. One can view the plaques that have so delicately engraved in remembrance. There are jerseys to view that were well-worn by the greats. They have tattered, old baseballs which have priceless signatures. The electricity in the air is beautiful, too. It is always there, and you can see it in the eyes of the children visiting. The shouting of the fans sounds like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the ears of a baseball lover. One can sense the memory of greatness because their spirits live in the air at Yankee Stadium. As one can see, Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place because of the grass, Memorial Park and the electricity in the air. You should catch a game today.

36. My home is a special place.
Expository Essay
One reason
Big Kitchen
Room to cook
Lots of food
Big refrigerator
Also
Fireplace
Warm
Crackling
Smoky smell
Third
My Porch
Screened
Relaxing
Cool
In summary
My home is a special place because it has a big kitchen, a fireplace and a porch.
My home is a special place.

37. My home is a special place
My home is a special place. It is special because it has a fireplace, a big kitchen, and a porch. It is a wonderful place to live. One reason my home is special is because I love my big kitchen. It has plenty of room to cook. There is a lot of room for all the food I like to eat. I like my large refrigerator most of all. Also, my fireplace is wonderful. On chilly nights it keeps my warm as a mitten. I love to listen to the crackling. The smoky smell reminds me of the days when I go camping. Third, my home has a terrific porch. The porch is screened, which is lucky for me. I am a bug magnet! My porch is a great place for relaxing. Even on warm nights the porch is cool because you can enjoy the evening breezes. In summary, my home is special because it has a big kitchen, a fireplace and a porch. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

38. Kids should get bigger allowances.
Persuasive Essay
One reason
Chores
Trash
Walk dog
Do dishes
Also
Study Hard
Spelling
Math
Science
In addition
Use Manners
Please
Thank you
Cover mouth when I yawn
Hence
Kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores, study hard and use our manners.
Kids should get bigger allowances.

39. Kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores
Kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores. Kids are always studying hard. We even use manners! It isn’t easy being a kid, and we deserve a little reward. One reason for a larger allowance is all the chores we do. We take out stinky trash every night. Walking the dog is really not fun. And who likes doing dishes? Also, kids study hard, and that should be worth something. Spelling words take a long time to learn. For math we have to add and subtract. Science homework keeps us busy, too. In addition, kids use their manners, so they should get something in return. Why do you think we say “please”? “Thank you” is another way we are polite. Let’s face it, we don’t cover our mouths while yawning for nothing. Hence, kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores, study hard and use our manners. How can you disagree?

40. Four Square in the Language Classroom
Four square is a way to organize thoughts. It is not the writing program. However, four square exercises can be published by following the writing process.
Brainstorming: Generating ideas
Organizing: Four square or other methods
Drafting: Rough or first draft
Revising: Revision of content and style
Editing: Editing for surface features, punctuation, spelling, capitals, etc.
Remember this is a slow process. Try not to over teach.

41. Other Uses
Speeches: Use the format for organizing and giving a speech.
Reading Comprehension:
Have Ss create a 4-Square from a passage written by an author. Discuss the organization.
Have students create a 4-Square using a paper written by another student.
Cut apart a Ss composition by sentences. Have Ss draw a sentence at a time and reconstruct the composition, then reproduce it on char paper.

42. Volcanoes are a powerful, natural force.
Other Uses
An excellent way to review or summarize information learned about a specific process.
Volcanoes
What are they?
Where are they?
How do they operate?
Volcanoes are a powerful, natural force.
Community
Workers
Resources
Transportation
The workers, resources, and transportation are important to a community.

43. But Ellen…..
What about motivation??

44. CHOICE! Select a person in one of the folders and describe their life.
Athletes
Scientists
Authors
Musicians
Artists
Political Leaders
Film Stars

45. Directions to one place to another Letter to the editor
Writing Bingo Try for one more BINGO this month. Be sure to use your writing goals and our class rubric to guide your work.
Recipe
Thank- you Note
Directions to one place to another
Letter to the editor
Rules for a game
request for Information
Invitation
Letter to a pen pal, friend or relative
Skit or scene
Interview
FREE
YOUR Choice
Newspaper Article
Short Story
Schedule for your work
Grocery or shopping list
Advertisement
Cartoon Strip
Instructions
Greeting Card
Poem
Proposal to Improve Something
Letter to Your Teacher
Journal for a Week
Design a web page
Book Think Aloud

46. Let’s Try! Prepare the graphic organizer.
Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

47. Writing Prompts
Writing Situation:  Everyone has a fond memory of a special birthday.
Think about a birthday that stood out among all the others.
Directions for Writing:  Write a paragraph/ essay telling about your favorite birthday.

48. I will never forget my sixth birthday.
Early in the day,
After lunch,
My grandmother threw me a surprise party.
My parents gave me a wonderful gift.
favorite cake
tons of presents
exciting games
golden retriever
named Goldie
best friend
I will never forget my sixth birthday.
Later,
My friends and I went to the zoo.
Indeed,
It was the best birthday ever.
elephant ride
walked for miles
rode train

49. Getting a year older may be bad for some, but I will never forget my sixth birthday. The attention that I received from friends and family made me feel warm inside. It was a very special day for me.
Early in the day, my grandmother threw me a surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate fudge cake. I got tons of presents. We had such fun playing exciting games.
After lunch, my parents gave me a wonderful gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever puppy. I named her Goldie. She is my best friend today.
Later, my friends and I went to the zoo. We rode the elephants. The zoo was so large we walked for miles. Finally we gave up and rode the train.
Indeed, it was the best birthday ever. The wonderful surprises from my family and friends will stay with me forever.

50. ____________________________________
________________________________________________
Feeling
Sentence:____________________________
Directions: Complete the four square with three sentences and a feeling sentence. Then write the paragraph on the lines below.
It’s great to have a pet.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

51. Writing Assessment Scoring Rubric
Criteria
Score 1
Deficient
Score 2
Flawed
Score 3
Limited
Score 4 Competent
Score 5
Strong
Score 6 Outstanding
Organization
Incoherent
Weak organization
Inadequate organization
Adequately organized
Generally well organized
Well organized
Development
Undeveloped
No details
Not developed
Little or no relevant details
Does not explain develop key ideas
Developed
Explains and illustrates some key ideas
Generally well developed
Explains and illustrates most key ideas
Well developed
Clearly explains and illustrates key ideas
Language Syntax
Limited or inappropriate word choice
Adequate facility in the use of language
Demonstrates some syntactic variety
Facility in use of language
Strong Syntactic variety
Mechanics
Serious and persistent writing errors
Serious errors in mechanics, usage, sentence structure, or word choice
Accumulation of errors in mechanics, usage, sentence structure
Some errors in mechanics/ usage
Generally few errors in mechanics/
usage
Few errors in mechanics/ usage

52. Resources to Help!
Four Square Writing Method: A Unique Approach to Teaching Basic Writing Skills for Grades 1-3 by Judith S. Gould.
Four Square Writing Method Grade 4-6 by Judith S. Gould.
Four Square: The Total Writing Classroom for grades 5-9 by Judith S. Gould.
Writing Workouts That Work: By the Authors of Four Square Writing by Judith Gould.