1. POW + TREE = Writing for You and Me
SPI : Identify the purpose for writing (i.e., to inform, to describe, to explain, to
persuade, to entertain).
EQ: What are some great reasons we need informational writing
I CAN… narrow a topic and find major ideas about it.

2. Imagine…
You have an audience with Congress to make changes in our legislature. There are so many topics to discuss. But you choose…
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3. P
P: Pick out your topic to write about (this time, we aren’t looking at a thesis – we’re looking at a topic sentence that we’re going to explain).
Remember: in an argumentative essay, we make an argument. In an informational essay, we’re explaining information in a helpful way.

4. O
O: Organize and generate notes and ideas for your paper using TREE: T – Topic Sentence: what’s this about? R – Reasons: these support the topic sentence (3) E – Explanations: let us know why these matter. E – Ending: formulate a summary statement
Graphic organizers are essential to good writing!

5. Check #1
List some good examples of graphic organizers. 1. 2. 3.

6. W
W: Write! Once you know what to say, how to say it, and the right order to say it in, then you’re ready to
All we have left to do is proof and rewrite.

7. Check #2 On your whiteboards: 1. How do I decide on a topic?
2. What are the best ways to organize my thoughts before I start writing them?
3. I support reasons with ___________.

8. Research Topics Ebola Circadian Rhythms Density Addiction (Any kind)
Mental Diseases
Overpaid athletes
Civil Rights Movement

9. Vocabulary Research Informational Explicit Explanatory Topic Sentence
Graphic Organizers

10. Activity
In pairs: choose a topic to write about, and then have each person draw up a separate graphic organizer to put their ideas into. Use the TREE method while doing this.
Each write a separate paragraph about the topic using each other’s organizer, and then switch paragraphs to peer edit the work. Be sure to use proofreading marks (up on the wall).

11. Reflection Come up with your own graphic organizer!
As you complete the writing process for this essay, write the same information with a couple of different graphic organizers.
This will help you check to see if you liked what you wrote, and help you better decide what info goes where.