Master Writing Big Book Gr. 5-8 : Reading Levels 3-4 [1 ed.] 9781553199045, 9781553193951

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MASTER WRITING - BIG BOOK Writing Skills Series .................. Written by Brenda Vance Rollins, Ed. D.

GRADES 5 - 8 Reading Levels 3 - 4

Classroom Complete Press P.O. Box 19729 San Diego, CA 92159 Tel: 1-800-663-3609 | Fax: 1-800-663-3608 Email: [email protected]

www.classroomcompletepress.com ISBN-13: 978-1-55319-395-1 ISBN – 10: 1-55319-395-4 © 2009 Permission to Reproduce Permission is granted to the individual teacher who purchases one copy of this book to reproduce the student activity material for use in his or her classroom only. Reproduction of these materials for colleagues, an entire school or school system, or for commercial sale is strictly prohibited. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program (BPIDP) for our publishing activities. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved.

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

Critical Thinking Skills ..................

Master Writing - Big Book How to Write a Paragraph How to Write a Book Report How to Write an Essay Master Writing - Big Book

Chapters 3

4

5

6

7

8

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10

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• Define, Describe, Identify, 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Label, List, Match, Name, State

• Describe, Discuss, Explain, Paraphrase, Restate, Summarize

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3

• Predict, Project, Provide, Relate, Report; Show

3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3

• Illustrate, Infer, Outline, Point Out, Prioritize, Recognize

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3

3

• Appraise, Compare and Contrast, Conclude, Decide, Support

3

3 3 3 3 3

3

• Categorize, Compare, Compose, Contrast, Create; Design; Revise

3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3

LEVEL 6 Creating

LEVEL 5 Evaluating

LEVEL 4 Analysing

LEVEL 1 Remembering

2

LEVEL 2 Understanding

1

LEVEL 3 Applying

Skills For Critical Thinking

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3





3

Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy 2

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

Contents

.................. TEACHER GUIDE • Assessment Rubric ....................................................................................... • How Is Our Resource Organized? . ................................................................ • Bloom’s Taxonomy for Reading Comprehension............................................. • Vocabulary.....................................................................................................

5 6 7 7

STUDENT HANDOUTS How to Write a Paragraph • Reading Comprehension What is a paragraph?.................................................................................. Forms and Purposes of Paragraphs............................................................... Prewriting Your Paragraph........................................................................... Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting...................................................... Prewriting Practice....................................................................................... Drafting Your Paragraph.............................................................................. Using Graphic Organizers for Drafting......................................................... Drafting Practice.......................................................................................... Revising Your Paragraph............................................................................... Things to Watch for When You Revise........................................................... Proofreading Your Paragraph........................................................................ Proofreading Practice.................................................................................... • Writing Tasks................................................................................................ • Crossword..................................................................................................... • Word Search . ............................................................................................... • Comprehension Quiz....................................................................................

9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 49 50

How to Write a Book Report • Reading Comprehension What is a Book Report?.............................................................................. Kinds of Book Reports................................................................................... Before You Write Your Book Report............................................................... Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting...................................................... How to Write a Fiction Book Report.............................................................. Graphic Organizers for Fiction Book Reports................................................ Non Fiction Book Reports.............................................................................. Graphic Organizers for Non Fiction Book Reports........................................ Oral Book Reports......................................................................................... Graphic Organizers for Oral Book Reports................................................... Proofreading Practice.................................................................................... Review to Remember..................................................................................... • Writing Tasks................................................................................................ • Crossword..................................................................................................... • Word Search . ............................................................................................... • Comprehension Quiz....................................................................................

52 55 58 61 64 67 70 73 76 79 82 85 88 91 92 93

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

Contents

.................. How to Write an Essay • Reading Comprehension What is an Essay?...........................................................................................95 Prewriting and Graphic Organizers............................................................... 98 Drafting and Graphic Organizers................................................................ 101 What is a Descriptive Essay?........................................................................ 104 Writing a Descriptive Essay......................................................................... 107 What is a Narrative Essay?.......................................................................... 110 Writing a Narrative Essay........................................................................... 113 What is an Informative Essay?..................................................................... 116 Writing an Informative Essay....................................................................... 119 What is a Persuasive Essay?......................................................................... 122 Writing a Persuasive Essay.......................................................................... 125 Revising, Proofreading and Editing............................................................... 128 • Writing Tasks............................................................................................... 131 • Crossword.................................................................................................... 134 • Word Search . .............................................................................................. 135 • Comprehension Quiz................................................................................... 136 EZ

EASY MARKING™ ANSWER KEY ............................................................. 138 OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCIES .............................................................. 153

FREE! 4 18 BONUS Activity Pages! Additional worksheets for your students After You Read

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• Go to our website: www.classroomcompletepress.com/bonus • Enter item CC1100 or How to Write a Paragraph • Enter pass code CC1100D for Activity Pages.

NAME:

Student Worksheet

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Activity Four

NAME:

NAME: NAME:

Student Worksheet

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Children’s Authors and Illustrators

Story Critic

Who is the most important character in this story?

Why do you think this character is most important?

Think about your favorite relative and then begin writing. You can make this a serious description or a funny “mind picture” of your favorite relative.

Science Fiction Story Corner

Activity Two

Activity One

Author:

Think back over your life and choose one holiday memory that you treasure and describe. Go to http://www.teachersdesk.org/topics/holmem.html and ___________________________________________________________________ Everyone has a favorite cousin, aunt, or uncle who adds a bit of color to family follow the directions you will find there. gatherings. In this activity, you get to describe yours! I’ll bet that you feel a bit happier when you finish writing this holiday___________________________________________________________________ memory Go to http://www.teachersdesk.org/topics/relative.html and read the instructions for paragraph! writing this one paragraph description.

Student Worksheet

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Activity Three

Student Worksheet

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Student WorksheetMy name:

................... Title of my book:

Activity Five

Holidays are fun and sometimes very special to us. This activity asks you to write one paragraph about your favorite holiday memory – not your favorite holiday.

___________________________________________________________________

Now it’s time to read and tell about someone else’s writing.

___________________________________________________________________

Go to http://www.zuzu.org/fiction.html

___________________________________________________________________

When you get there, you should see the title, “Story Corner” and two story titles, “The Robot Age” and “A Day in the Life of Beezer”. Both of these stories are written Computer Lab Favorites about how life might be in the future. The next time you are sitting at your computer, click on Choose one story and read it. Then write a paragraph describing what the story http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html. was about and how you liked it. When you have finished, write and illustrate your Go to http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/index.htm on a computer at home or This will take you to the “Authors and Illustrators on the Web” home page. Here there own story about an event that could happen in the future. Remember that this is at school. When you reach the web site you should see “Scholastic” with the terms, are many children’s and young people’s authors listed in alphabetical order. science fiction, so anything goes! Share both writings with your teacher. “Scholastic News”, “Computer Lab Favorites”, “Word Wizard Dictionary”, “Write and When you decide which author you would like to learn more about, click on the Publish”, “Reading Response”, and “Research Projects”, underneath the heading. name and you will be taken to that author’s page. Click on “Computer Lab Favorites”. You should see a spinning wheel with different topics on it. Click on “Language Arts” in the center of the wheel. Your assignment is to read all the information that is given about the author and then summarize what you have learned in at least two paragraphs. Choose any of the topics on the wheel and follow the directions for a writing assignment. As you write, notice how the things you’ve learned in this course about While you are reading, try to learn more about how the author got ideas for writing “Writing a Paragraph” are helpful to you. When you have finished writing, share whatand which tips each author gives for getting his/her work published. Who knows, you you’ve written with your teacher or a classmate. may be the next great children’s author! When you have finished writing, reread your work and make up at least five questions and answers from the material. Ask your teacher when you can read your paragraphs aloud and ask your class the questions.

What is the setting for your story? ___________________________________________________________________ Do you think this is a good setting for this story? Tell why. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Did you like the ending of this story? Tell why. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ©

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Reading Response Forms CC1106

How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

NAME:

NAME:

NAME:

• Go to our website: www.classroomcompletepress.com/bonus • Enter item CC1101 or How to Write a Book Report • Enter pass code CC1101D for Activity Pages.

6A

How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

Student Worksheet

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Student Worksheet

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Activity Five

Student Worksheet

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Activity Six New in Paperback

Sometimes you may see a hardback book in a store that is too expensive to buy. Don’t worry! Most books come out in paperback after a few months and cost much less. Go to http://www.kidsreads.com/features/NIP_index.asp on the internet. There you will find a list of books that have recently (within the last month) come out Have you ever read a book that you thought would make a great movie? in paperback. Pretend that you have $100 to spend for books. Read through the NAME: Many movie producers have, too! summaries of the books and choose as many as you can afford. (To find the price, just The Super Sorter click on the “buy from amazon.com” button.) Keep track of the money you spend Go to http://www.kidsreads.com/features/books2movies.asp on the internet. There record which books you would like to buy and why on the form below. Who you will find “Books into Movies” listed by month. Read through the summariesand of the knows, perhaps you’ll come into some money very soon! Do you ever have a hard time choosing just the right book to read? movies until you find one that is about a book you’ve read or a movie that you’ve The Super Sorter will help you! seen. Use the form below to write a well-developed paragraph telling about the book or movie. If you’ve read the book and seen the movie, be sure to include anything Go to http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/gamestation/supersorter/default.mspx on that was changed from the book to the movie! the internet. You’ll see “Super Sorter” at the top of the page. Read the first paragraph The World’s Spookiest Book List and click on “start” when you are ready for the robot to help you choose what kinds of books to read (note – the robot talks, so keep the sound on low!). Click “start” and follow the directions. When you have finished, write a paragraph that tells the kinds of Do you like to be scared silly? Most kids enjoy a good, spooky book. book the robot recommended on the form below. Go to http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/bookzone/content/spooky_booklist.mspx on the internet. There you will find the World’s Spookiest Book List. The books are divided by readers’ ages. Read over the list until you find a book title that interests you. Then read the short summary that is provided.

Books into Movies

Activity Four

Student Worksheet

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NAME: NAME:

Student Worksheet

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Student Worksheet

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Activity Two

Activity One

Meet the Authors and Illustrators

Book Pyramid

Here’s your chance to read about some of today’s most favorite children’s authors and illustrators.

To make a book pyramid you will need the following materials:

Activity Three

Go to http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/bookzone/content/default.mspx on the internet. You will see a list of authors and illustrators on the left hand side of the page.

• 1 book with a very strong plot that you’ve already read

On the form below, write a paragraph about why you think you would like to read this particular book. Be sure to use some describing words and to list any questions you have about the book.

Choose one person who you have heard about before and click on his/her name. The folks at “Reading is Fundamental” (RIF) have asked this person several questions. Read the questions and answers and then write a summary of what you’ve learned on the form below.

• 1 large piece of white drawing paper • Colored markers or crayons To make the book pyramid, follow the directions below:

Share your information with your teacher and classmates.

1. ___________ 2. _________ 3. _________ 4. _________ 5. _________ 6. _________ 7. _________ 8. _________ 1. 2. 3. 4.

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_________ _________

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5.

Write in the name of the main character. Write in two words describing the main character. Write in three words describing the setting. Write in four words stating the story problem.

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6. 7. 8.

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Write in five words describing one event in the story. Write in six words describing a second event. Write in seven words describing a third event. Write in eight words describing the solution to the problem.

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How to Write a Book Report CC1101

How to Write a Book Report CC1101

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How to Write a Book Report CC1101

How to Write a Book Report CC1101

How to Write a Book Report CC1101

How to Write a Book Report CC1101

NAME:

NAME:

NAME:

• Go to our website: www.classroomcompletepress.com/bonus • Enter item CC1102 or How to Write an Essay • Enter pass code CC1102D for Activity Pages.

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Student Worksheet

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Activity Five

Student Worksheet

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Activity Six Some of the best narrative essays are the funniest.

Go to http://www.eduplace.com/tales on the internet. There you will find the “Wacky Web Tales” story starters. Choose one of the story topics that you’d like to write about and click on it. You will be asked to list several words that will be used in the story. You have learned that descriptive essays paint word pictures in the audience’s minds. Be sure to use the “Parts of Speech Help” if you need it. When you have filled all the Go to http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/writingresource/docs/types_of_writing/description/ boxes with words, click on the “See Your Wacky Web Tale” button and find out what descriptive_word_chart.pdf on the internet. There you will find a word chart designed kind of story you were writing. You may want to complete two or more of these wacky to help you get out of the habit of using the same, old, tired words in every sentence. web tales. They are fun and funny! It’s time for a fairy tale! Fairy tales are great examples of narrative essays. Study the lists of words. Now think of something, someone, or some place that Copy one of the tales onto the form below. Go to http://homepage.mac.com/mseffie/assignments/fairy_tales/Assignments/ you would like to describe and use as many of the words on the chart as you

Activity Four

NAME:

NAME: NAME:

Student Worksheet

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Activity One

Student Worksheet

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Activity Three

goldilocks.html on the internet and you’ll find a sentence-combining exercise based can. Write your descriptive essay on the form below. on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. Remember, powerful verbs and colorful adjectives make the word pictures more Sentences are listed for each of the five paragraphs of the essay. The problem occurs beautiful! when you realize that these are short, choppy sentences that need to be combined. Many people love to travel. Combine the sentences to make longer, more sensible ones. Then copy your Go to http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/category/4/26/41 on the internet. new sentences as paragraphs on the form below. You’ll have an interesting tale There you will find a list of countries. Choose one that you’d like to learn more about about a little girl who meets three bears in the woods! and perhaps visit one day. Click on its name and read all about this country.

Student Worksheet

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Activity Two

Often, we do something so many times a day that it become automatic. Writing is one of these things. You have learned that biographies are an excellent type of informative essay. Go to http://library.thinkquest.org/J001156/writing/sl_history_writing.htm on the Here’s your chance to write a biography of a famous woman of the past. internet. There you will find “The History of Writing”. Go to http://www.distinguishedwomen.com on the internet. There you will find Writing has not always existed. Someone had to invent it. “Distinguished Women of Past and Present”. In the lower right corner of the screen you’ll see “Search by Subject”. Read the story of the history of writing. Then put what you have learned into a five paragraph informative essay. Click on this topic and you will find a long list of topics. Choose one that interests you and click on it. There you will find the names of women who are important in this area. Who knows? You might just learn a few things that you didn’t already know! Have fun! Choose one and read her biography. Take notes as you read.

Then use the form below to develop a good outline for a report about this country. Be prepared to share your work with your teacher and classmates.

Then use the form below to write a five paragraph informative essay about the woman you chose. Be sure that your essay is complete and interesting!

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How to Write an Essay CC1102

How to Write an Essay CC1102

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How to Write an Essay CC1102

How to Write an Essay CC1102

How to Write an Essay CC1102

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

5

Limited creativity and imagination applied in projects and activities.

Limited application of own interests in independent or group environment.

Creativity and Imagination

Application of Own Interests Basic application of own interests in independent or group environment.

Some creativity and imagination applied in projects and activities.

Basic application and interpretation in activity responses.

Demonstrates a basic understanding of concepts. Requires little teacher intervention.

Level 2

WEAKNESSES:

Limited application and interpretation in activity responses.

Analysis & Application of Key Concepts

STRENGTHS:

Demonstrates a limited understanding of concepts. Requires teacher intervention.

Level 1

Understanding Concepts

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NEXT STEPS:

Good application of own interests in independent or group environment.

Satisfactory level of creativity and imagination applied in projects and activities.

Good application and interpretation in activity responses.

Demonstrates a good understanding of concepts. Requires no teacher intervention.

Level 3

Strong application of own interests in independent or group environment.

Beyond expected creativity and imagination applied in projects and activities.

Strong application and interpretation in activity responses.

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of concepts. Requires no teacher intervention.

Level 4

Student’s Name: _______________________________ Assignment:_______________________ Level:____________

Assessment Rubric ..................

Master Writing - Big Book

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

Before You Teach

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Teacher Guide Our resource has been created for ease of use by both TEACHERS and STUDENTS alike. Introduction

passage and extend their learning. Students are asked to give thoughtful consideration of the reading passage through creative and evaluative short-answer questions, research, and extension activities.

earning to express themselves in writing is both an art and a science for students. The primary objective of these “How to” composition guides is to teach the process or science of writing. The author has taken care throughout this study guide to emphasize the concept that writing anything from a short paragraph to a long research report should be done by using the steps of prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing which make up the writing process.

L

Writing Tasks are included to further develop students’ thinking skills and understanding of the concepts. The Assessment Rubric (page 4) is a useful tool for evaluating students’ responses to many of the activities in our resource. The Comprehension Quiz (page 48) can be used for either a follow-up review or assessment at the completion of the unit.

PICTURE CUES

This resource contains three main types of pages, each with a different purpose and use. A Picture Cue at the top of each page shows, at a glance, what the page is for.

The “Writing Watch Dog” emphasizes important concepts throughout the book. Readily available definitions of terms as well as many opportunities to practice the skills being taught make this book user-friendly and easy to understand. In addition, the objectives used in this book are structured using Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning to ensure educational appropriateness.

How Is Our Resource Organized?



Teacher Guide • Information and tools for the teacher



Student Handout • Reproducible worksheets and activities

EZ

Easy Marking™ Answer Key • Answers for student activities

EASY MARKING™ ANSWER KEY

STUDENT HANDOUTS



Reading passages and activities (in the form of reproducible worksheets) make up the majority of our resource. The reading passages present important grade-appropriate information and concepts related to the topic. Embedded in each passage are one or more questions that ensure students understand what they have read.

Marking students’ worksheets is fast and easy with this Answer Key. Answers are listed in columns – just line up the column with its corresponding worksheet, as shown, and see how every question matches up with its answer! NAME:

After You Read

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Every question matches up with its answer!

Forms and Purposes of Paragraphs 1.

Writing prompts are suggestions of topics to write about. Write the type of paragraph each prompt suggests in the blank. Narrative

Persuasive

1.

Informative 1.

1

a) Writea)about the insects ofa) Africa. 4 B b) 4 A supporting sentences

b) Write about your best Christmas ever.

• The BEFORE YOU READ activities prepare students for reading by setting a purpose for reading. They stimulate background knowledge and experience, and guide students to make connections between what they know and what they will learn. Important concepts and vocabulary from the chapters are also presented. • The AFTER YOU READ activities check students’ comprehension of the concepts presented in the reading

c)

b) purpose for writing Write why you think

that there should be a threec) topicweek. sentence day school

indentyour favorite kind of ice cream. d) Writed)about c) 4 C d) 4 B e) Write about why you believe that students should be allowed to drive at 14. e) sentence

f) Writef)about the causes of the First World War. paragraph

2.

2.

informative prompts narrative topic sentence summary 2.

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a) Informative

a) prewriting

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b) Narrative

b) brainstorming

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d) Narrative e) Persuasive f)

Informative

d) graphic organizer e) Free-writing, clustering, and listing

A paragraph that tells a story or what the writer did is a ____________________ paragraph.

b) narrative

c)

If you were writing a report about a boa constrictor you’d be writing an

c) informative

d)

Suggestions of what to write about are called paragraph ____________________.

d) prompts

e)

The sentence that restates or summarizes the main idea of a paragraph is the 2d) i) ____________________ sentence.

e) summary

g) choosing a focus for writing

2c) ii)

How to Write a Paragraph CC1100



4 C

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identify your audience

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a) topic sentence

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c) general to specific

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2a) i)

The ____________________ is usually the sentence b), d) and g) in a paragraph that tells what the paragraph will be about.

____________________ paragraph.

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g) closing sentence

Put the correct term in each blank.

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For each reading passage there are BEFORE YOU READ activities and AFTER YOU READ activities.

f)

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b. earth, c. United States, d. my state, e. my town, f. my street, and g. my house

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How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

Before You Teach

.................. Bloom’s Taxonomy* for Reading Comprehension

LEVEL 6

Creating

The activities in this resource engage and build the full range of thinking skills that are essential for students’ written composition. Based on the six levels of thinking in Bloom’s Taxonomy, assignments are given that challenge students to not only recall what they have read, but move beyond this to understand the text through higher-order thinking. By using higher-order skills of application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, students become active writers, drawing more meaning from the text, and applying and extending their learning in more sophisticated ways.

LEVEL 5

Evaluating

LEVEL 4

Analysing

LEVEL 3

Applying

LEVEL 2

Understanding

LEVEL 1

Remembering

This Writing Kit , therefore, is an effective tool for any Language Arts program. Whether it is used in whole or in part, or adapted to meet individual student needs, this resource provides teachers with the important questions to ask, along with inspiring students’ interest, creativity, and promoting meaningful learning. ™

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: 6 LEVELS OF THINKING *Bloom’s Taxonomy is a widely used tool by educators for classifying learning objectives, and is based on the work of Benjamin Bloom.

Vocabulary How to Write a Paragraph • sentence - a group of words that makes a complete thought • paragraph - a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic • purpose for writing - the reason you choose to write • topic sentence - tells the main idea of a paragraph • supporting details - sentences that add details to the topic sentence • closing or summary sentence - restates the main idea of your paragraph • indent - move five spaces to the right when you begin a paragraph • descriptive paragraph – a paragraph that describes a place, idea, person, or thing • narrative paragraph - tells a story or about something that happened to you • persuasive paragraph - convinces people to agree with you about a specific issue • writing prompts - Suggestions of what to write about • audience – those who will read or hear your writing • prewriting - getting ready to write by talking, thinking, and reading about possible writing topics • graphic organizers - diagrams or drawings which help you organize your ideas on paper • listing - writing down every word you can think of that is related to a particular topic in a given amount of time • brainstorming - a method of coming up with ideas by writing down all of your thoughts about a subject in a set period of time • focus - what you will be writing about • 5 W’s Chart - A type of graphic organizer that lets the writer think about and list the “Who, When, Where, What, and Why” of a story or event • Venn Diagram - A diagram made up of two or more intersecting circles representing relationships among concepts. It is a good way to compare and contrast two things and to organize your thoughts for writing • Sensory Chart - A chart that organizes the details of the sights, tastes, smells, touches, and sounds in a story or event • Cause & Effect Chart - A graphic organizer that shows the relationship between two events when one of the events is the reason the other occurred • Timeline - A graphic organizer showing the key events within a particular period of time • drafting - putting your ideas on paper as sentences for the first time – the second step in the writing process • sequence chart - A graphic organizer that arranges ideas as they happened • Order of importance ladder - A graphic organizer that arranges ideas by their importance • revision - is the third step in the writing process, it means, “to see again” • rubric - lists all the requirements your teacher will be looking for when he/she reads your writing • modifier - a word that describes another word • conjunctions – joining words such as: “and,” “but”, “for,” “or,” “because” and “so” • fact - a statement that can be proven • opinion - a statement that tells an idea and would not be true all of the time • types of sentences – statement, question, exclamation, and command • proofreading - the process of rereading your work to find and correct any errors that may be in it 7

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

Before You Teach

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Vocabulary How to Write a Book Report

• book report – an essay which gives a brief summary of a book. A book report often includes the reader’s reaction to the book. • introduction – the first part of a book report • body – the middle section of a book report in which the main parts of the story are described • theme – the main idea of a story or book • setting – the time and place of the story • plot – what happens in the story • characters – who the story is about • conclusion – the last part of a book report. The conclusion includes the reader’s reaction to the book and recommendations about the book • author – a person who writes a story or book • illustrator – a person who draws or paints pictures that accompany a story or a book • genres – kinds of literature • fiction – stories made up by an author • nonfiction – stories or books that are based on real people and facts • graphic organizers – diagrams or drawings which help organize a writer’s ideas • reading journal – the place where a reader makes notes about the basic elements of a book as well as writes down questions that may arise during his reading • informative books – nonfiction books that provide useful or interesting information • biography – a nonfiction book about someone’s life that is written by another person • autobiography – a nonfiction narrative in which an individual tells his or her own life story • oral book report – a book report that is spoken aloud by the presenter to the audience • visual aides – charts, graphs, or other materials that add meaning to the information being presented in an oral book report • quotations – restatements of comments made by a book character • proofread – check for mistakes • mechanics – all the capitalization, spelling, and grammar rules that should be followed in a book report • form – all the elements of a good book report that should be a part of a good book report

How to Write an Essay • essay – a collection of paragraphs that are all related to the same topic • prompt – a suggested topic for an essay or story • prewriting – the first step in the writing process. Prewriting is the step in which the writer brainstorms ideas, makes an outline, and plans the essay • drafting – the second step in the writing process. Drafting is the step in which the writer begins to put ideas together as sentences and paragraphs • revising – the third step in the writing process. Revising is the step in which the writer changes any words or structure problems in the essay • proofreading – the fourth step in the writing process. Proofreading is the step in which the writer looks for any mistakes that have been made • publishing – the fifth step in the writing process. Publishing is the step in which the writer presents the essay to his audience or sends it to a publishing company • paragraph – a collection of sentences about the same main topic • brainstorming – a way of coming up with ideas by recording your words and thoughts. The three main methods of brainstorming are listing, clustering, and free-writing • graphic organizers – diagrams or drawings which help organize a writer’s ideas • narrative essay – an essay that tells a story • persuasive essay – an essay in which the writer tries to make his readers think as he does about a topic • informative essay – an essay which presents information about a topic • descriptive essay – an essay which tells about or describes an object or event • outline - an outline is a plan for writing • adjectives – Adjectives describe nouns (people, places, or things) by answering one of these three questions: What kind is it? How many are there? Which one is it? • objective descriptive essay – In an objective descriptive essay the writer describes objects, as any person would see them • subjective descriptive essay – describes objects and people as the writer sees them • thesis sentence – states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after reading your essay. It is usually the second or third sentence in the introduction • verb – a part of speech that shows action or state-of-being • reports or research papers – other names for an informative essay • expository essay – another name for an informative essay • book reports and biographies – types of informative essays • pros and cons – “Pro” is to agree with a statement, while “con” is to disagree with a statement. 8

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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What is a Paragraph? 1.

Complete each sentence with the correct term. sentence topic sentence

paragraph

purpose for writing

supporting sentences

indent

closing sentence

a) The sentences that add details to the topic sentence are called ___________________. b) The reason you choose to write a paragraph is called your _________________________. c) The _____________ ____________________ tells the main idea of a paragraph. d) Make sure you ____________ or move five spaces to the right when you begin a paragraph. e) A group of words that makes a complete thought are called a ____________________. f) A ________________ is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. g) The _____________ ______________________ summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

2.

Put an X next to each sentence that does not belong in the paragraph.



Topic Sentence - Casey loves to go to the beach. a) Sometimes the waves seem as high as a mountain. b) I will get my allowance next Saturday. c) Jen and Cara often want to tag along. d) Mr. Langley was my English teacher last year. e) Sometimes they take a picnic basket with them. f) They have the most fun when everyone brings a boogie board for surfing. g) When are we going to Washington, D.C.? h) Friends and fun make the beach Casey’s favorite place. 9

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Reading Passage

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What is a Paragraph? Knowing how to express yourself in writing is a skill you will need for the rest of your life. Writing helps you think clearly. Writing can help you focus your thoughts and describe them to others. The reason you choose to write is called your purpose for writing. Before you begin to write, you should ask yourself, “What do I want my readers to know?” This is your purpose for writing. You may write your thoughts and ideas on paper as sentences. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. For example, “The brown dog ran across the street.” is a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought. You may wish to write several sentences about the brown dog or some other topic. When you do this, you are writing a paragraph. A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic.

The Topic Sentence A good paragraph needs a good topic sentence. The topic sentence tells the main idea of the paragraph. It is usually the first sentence in the paragraph. The topic sentence will give your readers a preview of what the paragraph will be about. The topic sentence is usually indented five spaces.

Supporting Sentences A well-developed paragraph has a good topic sentence that states its main idea. In addition, it will have three or four supporting sentences that support or explain the main idea introduced by the topic sentence. Supporting sentences may also be called details.

Closing Sentence The last sentence in your paragraph is called the closing or summary sentence. Its purpose is to restate the main idea of your paragraph. One way to do this is to reword the topic sentence so that the same main idea is expressed.

10

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

What is a Paragraph? 1.

Put a check mark (4) next to the answer that correctly completes each sentence. a) You need to know how to express yourself in writing

b) The reason you choose to write something is called

A only while you are in school. B for the rest of your life. C only if you become a teacher. c) A group of words that expresses a complete thought is a

A your purpose for writing. B your assignment C your homework d) A collection of related sentences about the same topic is called a

A haiku B paragraph C sentence

2.

Put a

T

A verse B paragraph C sentence

in front of the best topic sentence for each title.

a) Title: Safety in Your Home ____ i) There are many things you can do to make your home safe. ____ ii) Be sure that all the doors have locks on them. b) Title: How to Have an Organized Morning ____ i) Pick your clothes the night before. ____ ii) Getting ready for school doesn’t have to be chaos each morning. c) Title: Some Middle School Students’ Favorite Books ____ i) I have always loved Where the Red Fern Grows. ____ ii) Middle school students enjoy reading a variety of books. d) Title: Computers in Middle Schools ____ i) Computers are used for many different purposes in a modern middle school. ____ ii) Most middle school kids know more about computers than their parents do. 11

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Forms and Purposes of Paragraphs Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A

paragraph

B

descriptive paragraph

C

sentence

D

summary sentence

E

topic sentence

sentences that support or explain the main idea introduced by the topic sentence.

1

the reason you choose to write

2

gives information to the reader by explaining, or informing

3

tells a story or about something the writer did or saw

4

F

supporting details

a group of words that expresses a complete thought

5

G

narrative paragraph

a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic

6

H

informative paragraph

suggestions of things to write about

7

I

purpose for writing

restates the main idea of your paragraph

8

tells the main idea of the paragraph

J

writing prompts

9

a paragraph that describes a place, idea, person, or thing

10

Keep in Mind Type of Writing

Purpose

Key Words to Use

Narrative

The purpose for writing a narrative paragraph is usually to tell about something the author did. When you write a narrative essay, you are telling a story.

show; tell, review

Persuasive

When you write a persuasive paragraph your purpose is to convince people to agree with you about a specific issue. You should write about what you think or believe.

convince; prove; encourage; persuade

Informative

The purpose of an informative paragraph is to tell about what you’ve learned. An informative essay informs the reader by explaining or describing the subject.

explain; inform

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Reading Passage

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Forms and Purposes of Paragraphs Narrative Paragraphs People write their thoughts on paper for many reasons. One important reason is to tell a story or to talk about something that happened to you. This kind of paragraph is called a narrative paragraph. Another reason for writing a narrative paragraph is to tell about something you did, such as, a trip you took or a baseball game you played in. Your teacher may ask you to write a narrative paragraph about what you did on your vacation or what you plan to do when you are an adult.

Persuasive Paragraphs Think about a time that you tried to change your mother’s mind about something. You wanted her to think like you were thinking about a situation or a decision, didn’t you? Persuading or encouraging someone to agree with you about a subject is the goal of a persuasive paragraph. In a persuasive paragraph, you write about what you think or believe. You see persuasive paragraphs all the time in advertisements in magazines and on television. When you write a persuasive paragraph your purpose is to convince people to agree with you about a specific issue. You should tell about what you think or believe.

Informative Paragraphs In school you are often asked to write about something you have learned. This is called an informative paragraph. The purpose of an informative paragraph is to give information to the reader. This can be done by describing, explaining, or informing. Book reports, research reports, science lab notes, and biographies are all informative or expository paragraphs.

Paragraph Prompts Below are some prompts or suggestions for writing each kind of paragraph: A. Write a paragraph about your best friend. – Narrative B. Write a paragraph about why the cafeteria should serve pizza twice a week. – Persuasive C. Write a paragraph about the coldest place on earth. – Informative 13

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Forms and Purposes of Paragraphs 1.

Writing prompts are suggestions of topics to write about. Write the type of paragraph each prompt suggests in the blank. Narrative

Persuasive

Informative

a) Write about the insects of Africa. b) Write about your best Christmas ever. c) Write why you think that there should be a threeday school week. d) Write about your favorite kind of ice cream. e) Write about why you believe that students should be allowed to drive at 14. f) Write about the causes of the First World War.

2.

Put the correct term in each blank.



informative prompts narrative topic sentence summary

a) The ____________________ is usually the sentence in a paragraph that tells what the paragraph will be about. b) A paragraph that tells a story or what the writer did is a ____________________ paragraph. c) If you were writing a report about a boa constrictor you’d be writing an

____________________ paragraph.

d) Suggestions of what to write about are called paragraph ____________________. e) The sentence that restates or summarizes the main idea of a paragraph is the ____________________ sentence. 14

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Prewriting Your Paragraph 1.

Fill in each blank with the correct term.



identifying your audience prewriting graphic organizers listing clustering brainstorming choosing a focus for writing general to specific free-writing

a) The first stage in the writing process is ________________________. b) One way of coming up with ideas for writing by writing down all of your thoughts about a subject in a set period of time is called _________________________. c) Another method of prewriting is to think about a broad topic and then break it down into all its supporting topics or thinking from _____________________________. d) Diagrams which help you organize your prewriting ideas on paper are called _________________ _______________________. e) The three main methods of brainstorming are ____________, _________________, and _________________________. f)

Stopping and asking yourself who will be reading your paragraph is



________________________ _______________________.

g) ___________________________ means that you choose one main topic or idea to

write about.

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Prewriting is the first step in the writing process. Good prewriting equals a great paragraph!”

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Reading Passage

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Prewriting Your Paragraph Many times you will have a choice about your writing topic. Deciding what to write about can be a very difficult job. But there are some activities that you can do to make the choice easier. These activities are called prewriting. Prewriting is the first stage of the writing process. In prewriting, you get ready to write by talking, thinking, and reading about possible writing topics. One very good way of prewriting is brainstorming. Brainstorming is a method of coming up with ideas by writing down all of your thoughts about a subject in a set period of time. Suppose you are in a science class and your teacher asks you to write a paragraph related to science. Obviously, you cannot write about the entire subject of science since it covers so many areas and topics. One way to solve a problem like this one is to brainstorm from general to specific. “Science” is a very general term. Begin with that and then list all the topics you can think of that are related to science in some way. Your brainstorming might look like this: SCIENCE – biology – mammals – bears – grizzly bears - diet Do you see how the list went from very general to the specific topic of “grizzly bear’s diet”? Now, on another sheet of paper, you try the same process of general to specific with “school” as the general topic.

Graphic Organizers You can also use graphic organizers to help you brainstorm ideas for writing. Graphic organizers are diagrams or drawings which help you organize your ideas on paper. One of the most common graphic organizers to use for brainstorming is listing. Listing means that you write down every word you can think of that is related to a particular topic in a given amount of time. The other main ways to brainstorm are using cluster maps and free-writing. We will discuss both of these methods and other graphic organizers in later lessons. Another area of brainstorming is deciding your focus or what you will be writing about. Finally, in prewriting you must decide who will read or hear your writing. This is choosing your audience.

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Prewriting Your Paragraph 1.

Put a check mark (4) next to the correct answer to each question.

a)

is the first stage of the writing process.

A B C

b)

is a method of coming up with ideas by writing down all of your thoughts about a subject in a set period of time.

A B C

c)

sketches graphic organizers illustrations

Which of the following activities must be done during the prewriting stage of writing?

A B C

f)

storyboarding listing clustering

are diagrams or drawings which help you organize your ideas on paper.

A B C

e)

outlining summarizing brainstorming

Which of the following is not a type of brainstorming?

A B C

d)

summarizing prewriting outlining

choosing the audience for your writing choosing the illustrations that will go with your writing choosing the best summary sentence

Arrange the following topics from general to specific: my house earth my street solar system United States my town my state a. solar system, b. ___________________ c. ____________________ d. ____________________ e.______________________ f. ____________________ g. ___________________ 17

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting Matching: Draw a line from the graphic organizer to the written description of how it is used.

5 W’s Chart

1.

What happened? Who was there? Why did it happen? When did it happen? Where did it happen?

Venn Diagram

A diagram made up of two or more intersecting circles representing relationships among concepts. It is a good way to compare and contrast two things and to organize your thoughts for writing.

2. A type of graphic organizer that lets the writer think about and list the “Who, When, Where, What, and Why” of a story or event.

Sensory Chart

3. A graphic organizer that shows the relationship between two events when one of the events is the reason the other occurred.

Subject: Sight: Sound: Smell: Touch: Taste:

4. A graphic organizer showing the key

Cause and Effect Chart Cause

events within a particular period of time.

Effect

5. A chart that organizes the details

Timeline

of the sights, tastes, smells, touches, and sounds in a story or event.

_____/ _____/ _____/ _____/ _____/ _____/ 18

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Reading Passage

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Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting We know that prewriting is the first stage in the writing process. During prewriting you will spend time choosing a topic and deciding which details about that topic to include in your paragraph. A very good way to organize your thoughts as you brainstorm is to use graphic organizers. A graphic organizer is a drawing or chart that shows the relationships between facts, terms, and ideas related to a particular topic or topics. Graphic organizers may also be called knowledge maps, concept maps, story maps, cognitive organizers, advance organizers, or concept diagrams. There are many graphic organizers that can help you organize your thoughts as you prepare to write. The most common ones are the 5 W’s Chart, the Venn Diagram, the Sensory Chart, the Cause and Effect Chart, and the Time Line. Each of these graphic organizers has a special purpose as shown in the table below:

1. 5 W’s Chart

A type of graphic organizer that lets the writer think about and list the “Who, When, Where, What, and Why” of a story or event.

2. Venn Diagram

A diagram made up of two or more intersecting circles representing relationships among concepts. It is a good way to compare and contrast two things and to organize your thoughts for writing.

3. Sensory Chart

A chart that organizes the details of the sights, tastes, smells, touches, and sounds in a story or event.

4. Cause and Effect Chart

A graphic organizer that shows the relationship between two events when one of the events is the reason the other occurred.

5. Timeline

A graphic organizer showing the key events within a particular period of time. 19

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Always remember to use graphic organizers to organize your thoughts when you are prewriting.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting 1.

Put a check mark (4) next to the best graphic organizer to use for each paragraph prompt.

a)

Your teacher asks you to write a paragraph about the most important event that happened to you on each of the seven days of last week.



A B C D

b)

Your mom asks you to write a paragraph describing the kitchen as she prepares dinner.

A B C D

c)

5 W’s Chart Venn Diagram Sensory Chart Time Line

Your homework in science is to write a paragraph describing the results of a volcanic eruption.

A B C D

e)

Cause and Effect chart Time Line Sensory Chart 5 W’s Chart

Your principal asks you to write the details of an auto accident that happened in front of your school building.

A B C D

d)

Venn Diagram Time Line 5 W’s Chart Sensory Chart

Time Line Cause and Effect chart 5 W’s Chart Venn Diagram

Your dad asks you to write a paragraph that compares and contrasts the two most popular trucks. He also wants to know the things that both trucks have in common.

A B C D

Venn Diagram Cause and Effect Chart Time Line Sensory Chart 20

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Prewriting Practice 1.

You and a friend have started a childcare business. You plan to take care of your neighbor’s children, a boy who is three, and a girl who is five. Use the brainstorming graphic organizer to list some of the activities you will use in your daycare business. Remember that lists do not have to be written in complete sentences. Brainstorming List: Daycare Activities

2.

Now compare your brainstorming list of daycare activities with this one written by another student: Brainstorming List: Daycare Activities 1. dodge ball 2. wading pool 3. sand table 4. dress-up 5. tricycles 6. watercolor painting 7. Legos 8. story time

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Prewriting Practice 3.

Your school newspaper has asked you to write a paragraph about an accident in the cafeteria that caused classes to be cancelled for the rest of the day. Use the 5 W’s Chart below to list what happened, where it happened, when it happened, who caused it to happen, and why it happened.

5 W’s Chart What happened? Who was there? Why did it happen? When did it happen? Where did it happen?

4. Now compare your 5 W’s Chart with this one written by another student: 5 W’s Ws Chart What happened? A rotten egg burst open Who was there? All of the upper elementary students Why did it happen? The cafeteria manager forgot a package of eggs at the back of the refrigerator. When did it happen? Last Wednesday at 12:15 pm. Where did it happen? In the cafeteria kitchen at Lakewood Elementary School.

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Prewriting Practice 5.

Use the Venn Diagram graphic organizer below to help you organize your ideas before you write a paragraph about the differences and similarities between a zebra and a horse.

VENN DIAGRAM

6.

Now compare your Venn Diagram with this one written by another student:

VENN DIAGRAM Zebra 1. from Africa 2. has four legs 3. shorter mane 4. stockier body 5. shorter legs 6. has stripes

Both

Horse

1. from North America 1. Both have four legs 2. has four legs 2. Both have excellent eyesight 3. Both have a keen sense of smell 3. Has a longer mane 4. leaner body 4. Both are able to run at high 5. longer legs speeds 5. Both graze on grasses

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Drafting Your Paragraph Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A

prewriting

anyone who reads or hears your writing

1

B

drafting

states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after reading your paragraph

2

C

writing

3

D

purpose for writing

putting your ideas on paper as sentences for the first time – the second step in the writing process

E

audience

the sentences in the middle of the paragraph that tell more about the topic

4

the first step in the writing process

5

your reason for writing a paragraph

6 7

things to know about your audience

F

a process, a set of steps toward a goal

G

topic sentence

H

detail sentences

I

summary sentence

Who they are; what level of Information they have about your subject; and the context, or situation, in which they will be reading a piece of writing the last sentence in a paragraph, it restates the idea in the topic sentence

8

9

A Good Topic Sentence Should:

Bad Example

Good Example

1. be a statement not a question.

“Will the students of City Elementary School successfully complete the written composition exams?”

“Because of their determination and hard work, the students of City Elementary School successfully completed the written composition exams.”

2. not be too broad

“All the students did great work.”

“The students used correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure on their composition exams.”

3. not look like an announcement

“They made the highest scores in the school’s history.”

“As a result of their preparation and enthusiasm, the students made the highest scores in the school’s history.”

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Reading Passage

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Drafting Your Paragraph Good writing does not just happen magically. All writers must understand that writing is a process with several steps to the goal of a finished composition. We have learned that prewriting is the first step in the writing process. Prewriting involves choosing a topic, brainstorming ideas about the topic, and organizing your ideas in order to write sentences and paragraphs. The second step in the writing process is called drafting. Drafting is the process of putting your ideas on paper as sentences and paragraphs. When you draft, you begin to put all your prewriting ideas about the topic in an understandable order. Sometimes, doing this is called writing your first or rough draft. As you begin to draft your paragraph, one of your first tasks will be to decide what the purpose or reason for your writing will be. People write for many different reasons. Some of the reasons might be to entertain, to inform, or to persuade an audience. Another important job to do before you write is to decide who your audience will be. A writer’s audience is anyone who reads, sees, or hears a message or composition. Your audience may be your classmates, your parents, business people, or anyone who happens to read or hear your composition. It is important to know who the people are in your audience; what level of information they have about your subject; and the context, or situation, in which they will be reading your writing. Finally, as you prepare the first draft of your paragraph, you should always keep in mind that a good paragraph has three sections – 1) a good topic sentence, 2) three or more supporting or detail sentences, and 3) a wellwritten summary or closing sentence. 25

The Writing Watch Dog says, “A topic sentence states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after reading your paragraph. Detail or supporting sentences are the sentences in the middle of the paragraph that tell more about the topic. A closing or summary sentence restates the thoughts in the topic sentence.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Drafting Your Paragraph 1.

Put a “P” next to each step that happens in the prewriting stage of the writing process and put a “D” next to each step that happens in the drafting stage of the writing process. a) decide who the audience for the writing will be b) use a Venn Diagram to help decide likenesses and differences of two topics. c) decide what the purpose for writing will be. d) brainstorm ideas for a topic e) use a topic sentence, supporting details, and a summary sentence as you write. f) organize your ideas into sentences and paragraphs g) use a 5 W’s Chart to organize details of a topic h) indent the first sentence as you begin to write. i) use a Sensory Detail Chart to organize the details of a topic j) use a Cause and Effect Chart to organize the details of a topic

2.

Define the following terms in complete sentences. a) prewriting – b) drafting – c) topic sentence d) supporting details – e) summary sentence – f) purpose for writing – g) audience – h) writing i) graphic organizers j) first draft – 26

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Using Graphic Organizers in Drafting Matching: Draw a line from the graphic organizer to the written description of how it is used.

1. Informal Outline



A graphic organizer that arranges the ideas as they happened.



A graphic organizer that arranges ideas by their importance.



A graphic organizer that arranges ideas as main topic, supporting details, and closing sentence.

Topic – 1. Topic Sentence – 2. Supporting Details – 3. Closing Sentence -

2. Sequence Chart TOPIC – First, Second, Third, Fourth, Finally,

3. Order of Importance Ladder Topic Most Important Idea Supporting Details

Summary Idea

27

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

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Using Graphic Organizers in Drafting The second step in the writing process is called drafting. Drafting is the process of putting your ideas on paper as sentences and paragraphs. Many writers use graphic organizers to help them keep their ideas in order as they begin to write. A fun way to organize your ideas for a paragraph is to use a paragraph sandwich graphic organizer! Of course, you won’t really be making a sandwich in your classroom, but if you pay attention, you’ll learn how to write a good paragraph. The first step in making a paragraph sandwich is to pretend that one piece of bread is the topic sentence. The topic sentence helps to keep the sandwich together.



TOPIC SENTENCE

FIRST SUPPORTING SECOND SUPPORTING THIRD SUPPORTING DETAIL DETAIL DETAIL

SUMMARY SENTENCE

We know that a good sandwich needs more than just a piece of bread and that a good paragraph needs more than just a topic sentence. Most sandwiches have some kind of meat in them. Let’s use ham. In our paragraph sandwich, the ham stands for one of the supporting details of the paragraph. Now we are on the way to a great sandwich and a great paragraph! Many ham sandwiches have other things besides ham and bread and ours does, too. Let’s put cheese and tomatoes on our paragraph sandwich. Each of these things will also stand for supporting details in the paragraph. Finally, another piece of bread finishes the sandwich and holds the sandwich together just as the summary sentence completes the paragraph! 28

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Keep the ‘Paragraph Sandwich Graphic Organizer’ in mind when you are writing a paragraph and you will always do a great job!”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Using Graphic Organizers in Drafting Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A

Informal outline

helps writers organize their thoughts while writing the first draft

1

B

Sequence chart

completes a paragraph by restating the topic sentence

2

C

Order of importance ladder

states the main idea of the paragraph

3

A graphic organizer that arranges ideas as main topic, supporting details, and closing sentence

4

D

graphic organizer

E

Paragraph sandwich

sentences that explain more about the main idea of the paragraph

5

F

supporting details

lists the events in a topic in the order they happened

6

G

summary sentence

a graphic organizer that represents how a paragraph is written

7

H

topic sentence

a graphic organizer that lists the events of a topic in order of their importance

8

2.

Arrange the parts of this Paragraph Sandwich graphic organizer in the order that they happen by placing 1 by what is done first, 2 by what is done second and so forth. a) Second slice of bread b) Slice of ham c) First slice of bread d) Slice of cheese e) Slice of tomato

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Before You Read

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Drafting Practice 1.

Use the space below to brainstorm ideas for a paragraph of at least five sentences about “Someone in My Family Deserves an Award”. You may use any of the graphic organizers we have talked about.

2.

Now use the ideas you brainstormed above to write a paragraph of at least five sentences about “Someone in My Family Deserves an Award”. Keep in mind that this is a first draft, so your spelling and punctuation don’t have to be perfect. Also, remember that your paragraph needs a topic sentence, at least three supporting detail sentences, and a closing or summary sentence.

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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Reading Passage

...................

Drafting Practice When you write a first, or rough, draft you are putting all your thoughts about the topic on paper. You don’t have to worry too much about spelling or punctuation on the first draft. You will have a chance to correct your mistakes later. In the first draft you can see how all your ideas fit together. After you finish the first draft, you may want to add or take away some phrases or sentences. Take time to review your purpose, or reason, for writing before you start your first draft. There can be many purposes for writing. Some of them might be: • You have been assigned a writing topic. • You want to persuade someone to think the same way you do about a subject. • You want to write an entertaining story. • You want to present the facts about a topic. You should always make sure that you know your purpose for writing before you begin your first draft. Then you should decide who the audience, or people who will read your paragraph, will be. You should adjust, or change, your writing to fit the knowledge and interests of your audience.

Ways to Learn about Your Audience You can learn about your audience by deciding: 1. Who they are (age, grade-level, children or adults, family or teachers, business or social, boys or girls, men or women, etc.) 2. What Level of Information they have about your subject (student, general reader, teacher, etc.) 3. The context, or situation, in which they will be reading a piece of writing (as a fellow student, as a teacher, as a parent, as a businessperson, etc.)

31

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Writing the first draft gives you the chance to put your ideas on paper as sentences.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Drafting Practice 1.

Use the space below to brainstorm ideas for a paragraph of at least five sentences about what would happen if you could become invisible whenever you wanted to. What are some of the things you could do that you cannot do now? Decide who your audience will be and what your purpose for writing this paragraph is.

2.

Now use the ideas you brainstormed above to write a paragraph of at least five sentences about what would happen if you could become invisible whenever you wanted to. Keep in mind that this is a first draft, so your spelling and punctuation don’t have to be perfect. Also, remember that your paragraph needs a topic sentence, at least three supporting detail sentences, and a closing or summary sentence.

32

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Revising your Paragraph 1.

Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with words from this chart: revision

prewriting

drafting

rubric

rest

review

a) ___________________ is another name for a scoring guide for writing. b) ___________________ is the third step in the writing process. c) After completing a first draft the writer should ___________________. d) ___________________ is the first step in the writing process. e) ___________________ means “to look at again”. f) ___________________ is the second step in the writing process.

2.

Arrange the steps of the writing process that we’ve studied in the order they happen by putting 1 next to what happens first and so forth. a) revision b) prewriting c) drafting

3.

Make the sentences below more interesting by adding one or more words to each one. a) The boy was tired. b) The night was dark. c) There were shadows in the trees. d) He heard a sound. e) The boy ran. 33

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Revising your Paragraph Now that you have written the first draft of your paragraph it is time to begin the revision process. Revising is the third step in the writing process. The word, revision, actually means, “to see again”. That’s exactly what you should do in the revision process – see or read your paragraph or essay again. The other two steps are 1. prewriting and 2. drafting. Revision is the step when you read what you have written and decide how to improve the content and style of the writing. The first part of the revision process is to rest. That’s right, you need to rest a bit after you’ve written your paragraph or essay. Then, after a few minutes or more, you can reread what you have written with “fresh eyes”. As you reread, you can decide Things to Do When You Review Your First Draft what needs to be added to your 1. Make sure all your paragraphs have topic sentences. paragraph or essay. After you rest, you will begin to review your writing. As you review, look closely at the table on the right:

2. Make sure your supporting sentences focus on the main idea. 3. Make sure you have a closing sentence in each paragraph. 4. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea in each paragraph. 5. Read to see if your paragraphs are interesting.

Many times, your teacher may rate your writing using an essay-scoring guide. This guide may also be called a rubric, and will list all the requirements your teacher will be looking for when he/she reads your writing. Many writing rubrics look for the following: 1. Ideas

Your ideas relate to the main topic throughout the story. You write with colorful details. You add details throughout the story.

2. Organization Your focus stays on the purpose of the story. Thoughts progress logically. You use varied transitions. 3. Style

You use a variety of sentence beginnings, structures, and lengths. You include personal experiences. You use a lively voice.

4. Conventions Your story contains correct sentences, usage, grammar, and spelling that make the writer’s ideas understandable. 34

The Writing Watch Dog says, “A rubric lists all the things your teacher will look for when grading time comes. Use it as a guide for writing your paragraph!”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Revising your Paragraph 1. a)

Put a check mark (4) next to the correct term. is the third step in the writing process.

A B C

b)

drafting revising prewriting

Revision means

A B C

.

to write new ideas for the first time. to have super seeing powers to read or review writing for the second time

c)

is not one of the things to do when you review your first draft.

A B C

Make sure you have a closing sentence in each paragraph. Make sure that you have at least six words with more than four syllables in each paragraph. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea in each paragraph

2. Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) Style is not very important when you are writing a paragraph or an essay.



True

False

b) Using a variety of sentence beginnings is a part of your writing style.



True

False

c) Each paragraph must have a purpose.



True

False

d) Rubric is not another name for a scoring guide.



True

False

e) The first task in the revision process is to rest.



True

False

f) Many paragraphs do not need a closing or summary sentence.



True

False

g) All supporting detail sentences must focus on the main idea of the paragraph.



True

False 35

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Things to Watch for When You Revise Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A

Revision

two simple sentences joined by a conjunction (joining word).

1

B

Sensory words

2

C

Modifier

made up of one independent (stands by itself) clause joined with one or more dependent (unable to stand by itself) clauses. gives you the chance to make your writing better.

3

words used to describe the five senses: seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and touching.

4

a word that describes another word

5

“and,” “but”, “for,” “or,” “because” and “so”

6

is one subject and one predicate with any words that modify them.

7

D

Simple sentence

E

Compound sentence

F

Complex sentence

G

common conjunctions

H

fact

sentences with more than one word with the same meaning in them.

8

I

opinion

Putting two or more short sentences together to make a paragraph flow more smoothly.

9

J

incomplete sentence

K

“wordy” sentences

L M

statement, question, exclamation, and command

10

a statement that can be proven

11

sentence combining

a sentence that does not state a complete thought and does not have a subject or predicate

12

types of sentences

a statement that tells an idea and would not be true all of the time.

13

36

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Things to Watch for When You Revise Revision gives you the chance to make your writing better. As you revise, or reread, your paragraph, there are some things that can make your writing hard to understand. Some of these things to watch out for are:

4 The need for sensory words - sensory words refer to any of your five senses

– seeing, smelling, tasting, touching, and hearing. Adding sensory words help make your sentences interesting and colorful. Example: The thunder crashed as the lightning burned a path to the old tree.

4 Misplaced modifiers – Modifiers are words that describe other words. Modifiers

need to be placed as close to the words they describe as possible. Funny things happen when they aren’t. Example: The young girl was walking a dog with a navy skirt on. Better: The young girl wearing a navy skirt was walking her dog.

4 The need for various sentence patterns – writers often get into the habit

of using only simple sentences. This can make their writing short and choppy. Example: Batman is a hero. He drives a big, black car. He saves people in trouble. This problem can be solved by using conjunctions such as “and,” “but”, “for,” “or,” “because” and “so” to join the short, choppy sentences together. Better: Batman is a hero who drives a big, black car, and saves people in trouble. This is a compound sentence or two or more sentences joined together with conjunctions.

4 Misusing facts and opinions – writers sometimes confuse their own opinions (ideas of how things should be that may not always hold true) with the facts (something that can always be proven). Be sure to know the difference between facts and opinions.

4 “Wordy” sentences - Good writing is simple and direct. Too many times, writers use words that have the same meanings as others they’ve already used. Example: That boy in my class is a very sick boy. Better: That boy in my class is very sick.

4 Types of sentences – there are four types of sentences. They are: 1. statement – a sentence that states a fact or opinion and ends with a period. 2. question – a sentence that asks a question and ends with a question mark. 3. exclamation – a sentence that shows excitement or surprise and ends with an exclamation mark 4. command – a sentence that gives a command and may end with a period or an exclamation mark. As a writer, you should make an effort to use all four kinds in your paragraphs.

37

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Things to Watch for When You Revise 1.

Each of the sentences below has at least one misplaced modifier. Rewrite the sentences so that they are correct. a) Piled on the floor I began loading the laundry. b) The tall boy led the band with red hair. c) The new girl will sit in this desk wearing a big hair bow.

2.

Use one or more conjunctions to combine the following short, choppy sentences. a) Ken forgot his lunch. He called his mother. b) Pedro bought five new pens. He lost three of them. c) Taylor came to school today. He didn’t do his homework.

3.

Put an “F” in the blank if the sentence is a fact and put an O in the blank if the sentence is an opinion. Remember that facts can be proven and are always true. Opinions are ideas or thoughts that may or may not be true all the time. a) Strawberry shortcake is the best dessert in the world! b) My great-grandmother was born on March 3, 1930. c) Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th each year in the United States. d) Learning to write a paragraph is easy for everyone.

38

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Proofreading your Paragraph 1.

Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A

proofreading

B

the first step in the proofreading process

C

the second step in the proofreading process

D

the third step in the proofreading process

E

Does it look right?

F

“Demon Words”

G

Some of the items to look at when you are checking punctuation

H

2.

sentence fragment

keep track of the kinds of mistakes you make more than one time in an essay.

1

the question to ask yourself if you are unsure about the spelling of a word.

2

words that may look as if they are spelled incorrectly even when they are right.

3

the process of rereading your work to find and correct any errors that may be in it

4

examine your paragraphs

5

read your essay aloud again

6

a group of words without a subject and/or a verb

7

Question marks, capitalization, commas, quotation marks, and periods

8

There are 17 mistakes in this paragraph. Look at the spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentences and circle each mistake. A Day at the Beech My famly and me went to the beach last weak? We stayed at a big hotle. Was very nice. The ocean was rite outside your window, Me and Katie swam picked up shells, and talked all day. At nite we watched movees with his parents. I think the oshun and beech is the best places for a good holiday!

39

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Proofreading your Paragraph Revision is the third step in the writing process. In it you reread your paragraph and decide if the information is presented in the most understandable way. When you make any changes or revisions, you should also proofread, or look for mistakes in your writing. Proofreading is the fourth step in the writing process. The first steps in proofreading are to: 1. read your essay aloud again. 2. examine your paragraphs – look at the length, supporting sentence(s), and topic sentence of each one. 3. keep track of the kinds of mistakes you make more than one time in an essay. Checking for spelling errors is the first step in proofreading. Every writer makes a spelling mistake once in awhile. Your goal as a writer should be to try to keep from making the same mistake over and over again. If you think that a word is misspelled, ask yourself, “Does it look right?” If a word doesn’t look right, use your dictionary to check its spelling. There are several words that are often misspelled or misused. Some of the most commonly misspelled words are its and it’s, they’re, their, and there, and your and you’re. You will run across some words that are known as Demon Words. These words may look as if they are spelled incorrectly even when they are right! Demon words are very easy to misspell. The top 100 Demon Words are: a lot again always and another beautiful because before believe buy

didn’t different doesn’t don’t especially everybody everyone everything except excited

something sometimes stopped that’s one our outside it’s knew know

happened heard I’m into they Halloween really said school they’re

40

through to too tried then there there’s when maybe favorite

you’re whole finally friend friends getting which Christmas clothes caught

Mom off where let’s their we’re went were thought by

piece probably TV until upon usually want Dad’s decided write

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Proofreading your Paragraph 1.

Underline the correct word in each sentence: a) (Its) (It’s) time for us to leave. b) The dog hid (its) (it’s) bone under the house. c) I am going home because (its) (it’s) too hot to work! d) (They’re) (There) (Their) will be no more talking in this classroom! e) (They’re) (There) (Their) names are Dora and Diego. f) Mom and Dad said (they’re) (there) (their) stopping by the ice cream shop. g) (Your) (You’re) project is due tomorrow. h) (Your) (You’re) going to be in trouble if you don’t stop talking!

2.

Circle the correctly spelled word in each row. a) exsited

excited

exxcitd

b) favorit

favrite

favorite

c) caught

cought

caugt

d) wright

ritte

write

e) beleive

believe

beleeve

f) except

ekcept

eccept

g) scool

schol

school

h) may-be

maybe

mabe

i) clothes

cloese

clotes

j) thougt

thaught

thought

k) desided

decided

dcided

l) befor

befour

before

m) everything

everyting

everthing

n) sed

sayed

said

o) wen

when

whenn

p) Christmas

Chrissmas

Christmus

q) wer

were

wrer

r) becase

becouse

because 41

The Writing Watch Dog says, “When you have finished revising your writing, it’s then time to proofread it. Proofreading means that you reread your writing and look very carefully for any mistakes that you’ve made in spelling, punctuation, word choice, or sentence choice.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Proofreading Practice The Writing Watch Dog says, “These are 25 of the most often misspelled words. Work hard to make sure that you can spell them.”

too a lot because there their

2.

favorite that’s our when sometimes

really they’re were it’s know

finally again they Christmas went

until outside said we’re different

Proofread the following paragraph and circle the mistakes. Remember that you must look at spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and complete sentences. Rewrite the corrected paragraph in the box below - there are at least 18 mistakes. Frogs Meny yong animals start life looking like they’re parents. Some do not. Frogs doesn’t look anything like there parents when they are small In each stage of growth they grow to be like their parnts. The frog’s eggs is laid in water. the eggs has a jellylike covering and look like a mass of jelly in the water. Yung frogs hatches from the eggs. A young frog, which looks like a small fish, is called a tadpole. Like fish, tadpoles has tales and breathe air from the water in which they lives? Gradually back and front legs forms. The tail disappers. finally lungs form in the young frog. Then it can not longer breathe in water. It must breathe in the air. the frog is then a adult. The adult female can lay eggs and the life cycle started again.

42

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Proofreading Practice Proofreading for Spelling 1.

Look at each word carefully and ask, “Does it look right?” Some writers start proofreading at the end of their essays and work backwards, checking each word so that they don’t skip words by mistake as they read. Other writers use a ruler to check one line at a time as they read each word carefully.

2. 3.

Circle

the words that don’t look “right.” These are the ones you need to check.

Ask yourself, “How else could I spell this word?” Try one or two other ways to write the word; then check it using any of the following: a) a dictionary, b) class word charts, c) a friend, d) a computer spell-checker or, e) an adult.

4.

Compare the two words and snap a picture with your “mind camera” of the parts you misspelled.

5.

Ask your teacher or another adult to make sure that you’ve circled all of the misspelled words. If an adult isn’t near by, ask a friend to give your writing a quick check to find any other misspellings.

The best way to make sure a word is spelled correctly is to check its spelling in a dictionary. Many teachers make sure that their students have dictionaries at their desks. That way, if a student needs to know how to spell or pronounce a word, help is very nearby. Using a dictionary can take a great deal of time if you aren’t skilled in using the guidewords. But once you’ve learned the tricks, you can look up a word in no time!

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Here are some Dictionary Tricks to use to check your spelling: 1. Study the alphabet so that you instantly know alphabetical order. 2. Decide if the word you are searching for will be in the front, middle, or end of the dictionary. Hint – Knowing this will help you turn to the correct section immediately. 3. After you’ve turned to the correct section, begin to look at the guidewords on the pages.” 43

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Proofreading Practice 1.

Circle the mistakes in the article below and rewrite the correct version in the box. THERE ARE 20 MISTAKES IN THE ARTICLE. Sea Mammals Whales come in meny sizes. They all have smooth skin, flippers, and flat tails that push them threw the water. they give berth and nurse their young in the water. There noses and ears are suited to life in the water. They have grate vision and large branes Whales makes sounds that travel in the water. the sound waves bounce off an object and then return to the whals as echoes. By doing this, the whales can find food or avoid predators. Research has proven that the sounds comes from deep inside the whales’ heads, not from their throats like other mammals. The sounds comed from air passing through they’re noses. Whales usually dive on a full breath of air. The air in their lungs are pressed down by the weight of the see as they dive. when they dive, they use less oxygen by sending it to vital organs such as their brains, harts, and lungs where it is needed most. Sperm whals is super divers. They often dive more than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) deep for more then one hours! Whales makes many kinds of sounds, including trills, whistles, moans, and squeals. Whistles seem to be used for “talking” with other whales. Whales are amazing animals!

44

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

WritinG Task #

1

................... Your mother has just returned from a distant planet and brought you back an alien pet. Write a well-developed paragraph describing it in detail.

WritinG Task #

2

................... An Important Friend Think about a friend who has been an important part of your life. How did you become friends with this person? Think about when you met, what you did, and how your friendship grew. Write a paragraph about this friendship. Give enough details to tell the reader about this friendship.

45

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

WritinG Task # 3

................... An Important Person Think about people you know or have met. Choose ONE person who has made a big difference in your life. Write about that person AND describe his or her positive effect on your life.

WritinG Task # 4

................... Science Fiction Imagine yourself in the year 2030, when suddenly all of the world’s technologies stop working. You decide to publish a daily newspaper, and make ten copies by hand. In this first paragraph, describe a day in the life of someone in this new non-technological society.

46

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

WritinG Task # 5

................... A travel agency is looking for exciting vacation destinations that are a bit out of the ordinary. Imagine that the agency asks you to explore (a particular country, city, or area). Write a paragraph for them that describes the interesting experiences you had there.

WritinG Task #

6

................... Select one of the following phrases to complete. The only stipulation- write ONE paragraph. If I had a million dollars I would..... If I could go in a time machine I would...... If I could be any animal I wanted to be, I would be a/ an...

47

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Crossword 1

Word List audience conjunction details exclamation

fact focus indent modifier

prewriting prompts question rubric

2

revision sentence statement timeline

3

4

5

6 7

10

8

9

11 12

13

14 15

16

Across 2. 3. 4. 7. 9. 10. 13. 14. 15. 16.

A sentence that ends in a question mark A word that describes another word Those who will read or hear your writing Suggestions of what to write about A group of words that makes a complete thought Lists all the information your teacher will be using to assess your writing A sentence that tells something Sentences that add more information about a topic The first stage of the writing process A sentence that shows excitement

Down 1. 5.

The third step in the writing process A joining word such as “and”, “but”, “or”, “because” 6. What you are writing about 8. A graphic organizer showing the key events within a particular period of time 11. Move 5 or more spaces to the right when beginning a paragraph 12. A statement that can be proven

48

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Word Search Find the following key words from the story. The words are written horizontally, vertically, diagonally and some are even backwards. audience

fact

period

revision

statement

command

indent

prewriting

rubric

timeline

diagram

listing

proofreading

sensory

topic

drafting

paragraph

question

sentence

venn

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e

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i

l

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m

i

t

j

y

i

a

p

h

z

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49

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Comprehension Quiz 1.

Fill in the blanks in each sentence using the terms in the box. Detail sentences sentence

27

narrative paragraph purpose for writing writing prompts first summary or closing paragraph topic sentence

a) The reason you choose to write is called your _____________________________________. b) A ___________________ is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. c) A ___________________ is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. d) The ___________________ ___________________ tells the main idea of the paragraph. e) The topic sentence is usually the ___________________ sentence in the paragraph. f) ___________________ ___________________ support or explain the main idea introduced by the topic sentence. g) The last sentence in your paragraph is called the ___________________ sentence. h) ___________________ ___________________ are suggestions of things to write about. i) A ___________________ ___________________ tells a story.

9

2. Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) A persuasive paragraph tries to convince people to agree with you about a specific issue.



True

False

b) Narrative is another name for an expository paragraph.



True

False

c) The first stage of the writing process is drafting.



True

False

d) Diagrams which help you organize your prewriting ideas on paper are called graphic organizers.



True

False

e) Free-writing is often done during the prewriting stage of the writing process.



True

False 50

SUBTOTAL:

5 /14

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Comprehension Quiz 13

Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A B

5 W’s Chart

an essay scoring guide

1

Venn Diagram

means “to see again”; the third step in the writing process

2

anyone who reads, sees, or hears a message or composition

3

C

Cause and Effect Chart

D

drafting

E

audience

F

Paragraph Sandwich

G

revision

H

rubric

I

proofreading

J

demon words

K

dictionary

a type of graphic organizer used in the prewriting stage that lets the writer think about and list the “Who, When, Where, What, and Why” of a story or event a graphic organizer to use during the drafting stage of writing

4

5

a diagram made up of two or more intersecting circles representing relationships among concepts. It is a good way to compare and contrast two ideas or things and to organize your thoughts for prewriting

6

a graphic organizer used in prewriting that shows the relationship between two events when one of the events is the reason the other occurred

7

the second step in the writing process

8

ideas of how things should be that may not always hold true

9

something that can always be proven

10

the best place to check the spelling of a word

11

L

fact

100 words that may look misspelled even when they are not

12

M

opinion

the fourth step in the writing process

13

SUBTOTAL: 51

/13

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

What is a Book Report? 1.

Complete each statement by circling the correct term. a) Writing a ____ ________is a good way to show how well you understand a book and to tell what you think about it. research paper

persuasive essay

book report

fiction story

b) The first part of a book report is the __________________. conclusion

introduction

body

subheading

c) The _______ is the main idea of the book. characters

theme

setting

plot

d) The _______ is the time and place the story takes place. characters

theme

setting

plot

e) The _______ is what happens in the story. characters

theme_

setting

plot

f) The ___________ are who the story is about. characters

theme_

setting

plot

g) The characters, theme, setting, and plot are all discussed in the __________ part of a book report. conclusion

introduction

body

subheading

h) In the ___________ of the book report you should write how well you liked the book. conclusion

introduction

body

subheading

i) The person who writes a book is called its ___________. publisher

author

illustrator

reviewer

j) The person who draws pictures for a book is called its ___________. publisher

author

illustrator

reviewer

52

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

What is a Book Report? While you are a student, you may often be asked to write a report about a book you have recently read. Don’t panic! Writing a book report is just another part of the writing process. A book report is an essay that gives a brief summary of a book and your reaction to it. Book reports show how well you understood a book and what you think about it. Every book report has the same elements which must be included in order for it to be complete. If you make sure that you include the following things in your book report, an excellent grade should be in your future! • Introduction – the first part of the book report. An introduction should include the title (name) and author (writer) of the book you read; why you chose the book; and the kind of story the book tells. • Body – the section of the book report in which you describe the main parts of a story: theme, plot, setting, and characters. The theme is the main idea of the story. The setting is the time and place of the story. The plot is what happens in the story. The Characters are who the story is about. • Conclusion – this is the summary of your book report. You may want to give your opinion of the book and the most important things you want other people to know about it. Your teacher may want you to present your book report on a certain form or graphic organizer. You may even be asked to read or tell your book report out loud to your classmates. The rest of this study guide will discuss many kinds of book reports that can be fun for you to write and very interesting for your teacher and classmates to read or hear. So let’s get ready to learn about book reports!

53

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Remember – every book report has three parts – the introduction, the body, and the summary!”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

What is a Book Report? 1.

Match each book report term with the correct meaning:

A

book report

the main idea of the book

1

B

introduction

summarizes your thoughts about the book

2

C

theme

who the story is about

3

D

setting

the person who writes a book

4

E

plot

an essay which gives a brief summary of a book and your reaction to it

5

F

characters

the time and place the story takes place

6

G

body

what happens in the story

7

H

conclusion

the first part of a book report

8

I

author

the person who draws pictures for a book

9

J

illustrator

discusses the characters, theme, setting, and plot

10

2.

Think about all the different types of books that you have read in the past. Write a well-developed paragraph explaining which type of book is your favorite. The terms in the box below describe some of the different types of books. fairy tales mysteries science fiction everyday life historical stories adventures biographies (about people’s lives) sports myths and legends

54

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Kinds of Book Reports Use one of the terms in the box to fill in each blank. Fiction nonfiction adventure historical fiction stories family historical fact stories mystery realistic fiction science fiction science stories fairy tales & fantasy biographies animal storybooks nature

a) All books can be classified as

or

.

b)

books are stories that are made up by the author.

c)

books are about real things, people, events, and places.

d)

books are about the environment, taking care of the earth, nature, or wildlife and are fact.

e)

books are about exciting journeys, interesting places, heroes, and spies, and can be fiction or nonfiction.

f)

and books are about dragons, wizards, imaginary characters and places, and are fiction.

g)

books are about crimes, investigations, puzzles with no answers, and questions about animals or other creatures and can be fiction or nonfiction.

h)

are books about true stories about real people’s lives and are fact.

i) books are about possible future events, travel to other galaxies, and future inventions and are fiction. j) are books about real life in other times and real people from the past.

55

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Genre means a particular type of literature. All the words in the box above name different genres books for students.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Kinds of Book Reports There are as many kinds of book reports as there are genres (jän-rs) or kinds of literature. Each kind should consist of the same three sections – introduction, body, and conclusion. The content of the sections will depend on whether the book is fiction or nonfiction. All books can be divided into two categories – either fiction (made up by the author) or nonfiction (based on real people and events). In each category there are many types of stories. The chart below shows the major fiction and nonfiction genres: Fiction

Nonfiction

1. Adventure – exciting imaginary journeys to interesting places.

1. Adventure – exciting real journeys to interesting places.

2. Historical Fiction – stories of imaginary people based upon historical events or made-up stories of real people.

2. Historical Fiction – stories about real life in other times or true stories about real people from the past.

3. Mystery – stories about a crime, a question to be answered, or an investigation which are fiction.

3. Mystery – stories about a true crime, true puzzles to be solved, or unsolved mysteries. 4. Families – real-life families, stories of real people in real situations, multicultural families.

4. Realistic Fiction - stories that could happen, stories about imaginary families,

5. Science – stories about scientific discoveries and inventions, information about our bodies, stories about the world and outer space which are fact.

stories that help us learn about ourselves which are fiction. 5. Science Fiction – stories about possible future events, travel to other galaxies, stories about possible future inventions.

6. Biographies – true stories about real people, factual information about famous people, facts about other people’s lives.

6. Fairytales and Fantasy – stories about dragons, wizards, imaginary characters and places, magic, heroes, villains, and good vs. evil.

7. Nature - true stories about the environment, taking care of the Earth, books about plants, wildlife books that are factual.

7. Animal Fiction - stories about talking animals, animals acting like people, imaginary stories about kids and their pets.

56

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Kinds of Book Reports 1.

In complete sentences, explain the differences between each of the two terms listed below. a) Science fiction / Science

_______________________________________________________________________________



_______________________________________________________________________________

b) Animal fiction / Nature stories

_______________________________________________________________________________



_______________________________________________________________________________

c) Adventure stories / true adventure

2.



_______________________________________________________________________________



_______________________________________________________________________________

Using the chart on the previous page, tell the genre of each of these story prompts. a) A story about a family that lives on Mars and flies a spaceship to school. b) A story about the life of Marco Polo. c) A factual story about John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Colorado River. d) A story about the different kinds of flowers that grow in Hawaii. e) A story about a real family’s life in India. f)

A story about a dragon whose fiery breath keeps going out.

g) A story about a boy who stows away on a pirate ship and finds a treasure on an island.

57

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Before You Write Your Book Report 1.

Arrange the following steps in the book report writing process in the order that they should occur by putting 1 by what happens first, etc. a) Writing the first draft of the report b) Choosing a book to read c) Getting a grade on your book report d) Presenting your book report e) Making notes as you read the book f) Proofreading your report g) Writing the final draft of your report h) Returning your book to the library i) Organizing your ideas before you begin to write j) Talking to others about the kinds of books they like to read

2.

3.

Write a short paragraph about the genre of books that you enjoy reading and tell why you enjoy them. You should give at least two book titles as examples of the kinds of books you like to read.

Name one of your favorite authors:

58

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Before You Write Your Book Report If you want to write a good book report, here are several things you should do before you begin to read your book: • Decide which kind of book you want to read. If your teacher lets you choose a book to report on, spend some time deciding which book it will be. Do you like adventure stories or biographies? Maybe you’d like to read a science fiction story or a fairy tale. If you have a hard time deciding, talk to some of your friends about the kinds of books they like to read. One of them may be able to recommend a great book to you. Other good suggestions of books to read might come from your media specialist, your teacher, or your parents. • Get the book and begin reading. The next step you should take is to get the book you have chosen. You might check it out from your school library or you may have to go to your public library. Some people like to own the books they read, so going to a bookstore or ordering online is also a good choice. • Write down your book’s title, author, illustrator, and copyright date. You will need this information in your book report. As you read the book, you should write down the main character’s names and anything else you think you’ll need when you begin your report. • Read the entire book! Don’t skim the pages and don’t pretend that you read something that you didn’t. • Use a graphic organizer to help you organize your ideas before you begin to write. Later in this workbook you will find graphic organizers that will help you with your prewriting activities. • Write a good first draft of your book report. Be sure to include all the important information that your teacher has talked about. We will look at some great book report forms a bit later in this study. • Proofread the first draft of your book report. Look for any mistakes you might have made. • Turn in your finished book report. This is also a good time to return your book to the library. • Get a good grade from your teacher! Now sit back and enjoy the rewards of all your work!

59

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Book reports are a fantastic way to tell what you think about a book you have read. When you write a fully developed book report you show your teacher, classmates, and yourself how well you understood what you read.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Before You Write Your Book Report 1.

Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) There’s no need to include the book title in your book report.



True

False

b) A good writer will make notes about a book as he/she reads it.



True

False

c) Every book report is exactly the same as all the other book reports.



True

False

d) Using a graphic organizer while you’re prewriting your book report is a good idea.



True

False

e) It is impossible to write a good book report about a nonfiction book.



True

False

f) Students have thousands of books to choose from every time they make book reports.



True

False

g) A good book report might make one of your classmates want to read the same book.



True

False

h) A pubic librarian can give you suggestions of a good book to read and report on.



True

False

i) Book reports should never be fun to write or read.



True

False

j) Students must enjoy every book they read while they are in school.

2.



True

False

Use the space below to write at least one paragraph that tells about a book that you’ve read and would like to write a report about. Try to remember as much about the book as you can, but don’t worry if you don’t remember everything. This is just a practice assignment. The real book reports will come later!

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting Matching: Draw a line from the graphic organizer to the written description of how it is used.

Character Comparison Map Character 1

1.

Character 2

A graphic organizer that helps you remember all the important facts that should be included in a good book report.

Attribute 1

Attribute 2

Attribute 3

2. A graphic organizer that helps you fully describe each character in the book.

SeQUENCE Chart First: Next: Next: Then:

STORY Map Setting

3. A graphic organizer that helps Time

you remember the events of the book in the order they happened.

Place

Characters Problem Plot/Event Resolution

61

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting Graphic organizers can be very helpful in the prewriting process of your book report. Graphic organizers are diagrams or drawings which help you organize your ideas on paper. Sometimes, you can even present your entire book report in the form of a graphic organizer. There are three graphic organizers that are especially good for prewriting. They are the Character Comparison Map, the Sequence Chart, and the Story Map. Each helps you include various important types of information in your book report. The Character Comparison Map asks you to list the characters in the book and then describe their attributes, or qualities and characteristics. Suppose you were writing a book report for Charlotte’s Web. Could you list some of Wilbur’s attributes? If you said that Wilbur was loving, kind, friendly, and faithful, you are certainly on the right track! Try to think of some other book characters and then list their main attributes in your head. This is good practice for making book reports. Another way to discuss a character’s attributes is to compare them with another character in the book. Now think about Fern in Charlotte’s Web. Did she and Wilbur have some of the same attributes? Yes, they surely did! The Sequence Chart gives you an opportunity to list all the important events in a book in the order that they occurred. Almost all book report guidelines ask the writer to include some of the most important events that happened in the story. The Sequence Chart is a good way to organize and remember them. The Story Map is another very good graphic organizer to use when you make a book report. It provides a place for you to list the setting, or the time and place of the book, the characters, or who the book is about, the plot, or what happens in the story, the problem the characters have, and the resolution, or the solution to the problem. By using these and other good graphic organizers during your prewriting, your book report will be informative and fun for others to read or hear.

62

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Using graphic organizers as you prepare your book report will help you identify the main concepts in your book. A graphic organizer lets you describe characters, order events, and highlight plot action.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Using Graphic Organizers for Prewriting 1.

Circle each phrase that correctly completes each statement. a) _____________ ____________ are diagrams or drawings which help you organize your ideas on paper. characters in a book

graphic organizers

illustrations

b) A __________________ __________________ gives you an opportunity to list all the important events in a book in the order that they occurred. Story calendar

author’s checklist

Sequence Chart

c) The ___________________ in a book are who the book is about. characters

events

conflicts

d) The _____________ _____________________ is a graphic organizer that helps you list all the important parts of a book. resolution list

story map

timeline list

e) The ___________ of a book is the time and place the book takes place. copyright date

2.

publisher

setting

Label each of the graphic organizers below:

B.

A. First:

Setting

Next:

Characters

Next:

Problem

Then:

Plot/Event

Time

Place

Resolution

63

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

How to Write a Fiction Book Report Put the letter of the correct term beside its definition:

A

fiction

B

nonfiction

C

genre

D

the place where a reader makes notes about the basic elements of his/her book— plot, setting, characters, timeline, etc., as well as writes down questions that arise in the reading

1

what happens in a book or story

2

reading journal

who a book or story is about

3

E

recommendations

the time and place of a book or story

4

a particular type of literature or book

F

plot

5 6

G

setting

information that should be included in a reading journal

7

H

characters

novels and stories that describe imaginary people and events made up by the author

I

examples and quotes

other people’s suggestions about good books for you to read

8

J

proofreading & editing

rereading and correcting any mistakes you have made in the book report

9

writings that convey factual information and are not works of the author’s imagination

10

Book Report Tips

The Writing Watch Dog says,

“These are some great book report tips!”

Get all the information from your teacher. Find the right book for you. Give yourself time to read. Take notes as you read. Mark important pages and passages. Make an outline. Write your first draft. Proofread and edit.

64

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

How to Write a Fiction Book Report Writing a fiction book report is like writing any other kind of essay. You will go through the same steps: prewriting, drafting, proofreading, revising, and presenting your report. However, you should make sure that you understand what a fiction book is. There are many different genres, or kinds of books. A fiction book is a novel or story that describes imaginary people and events made up by the author, or the person who wrote the book. All fiction books have characters (who the story is about), a setting (the time and place the story happens), and plot (what happens in the book or story). Be sure to include all of these elements in your fiction book report. The first step in writing a fiction book report is to choose the book you want to read unless your teacher has already assigned a book to you. You can ask your media specialist or teacher for their recommendations or suggestions of good books, or you may ask your classmates or friends. After you have considered all the choices, it’s up to you to pick a book that you want to write about. The next step in writing a fiction book report is reading the book. It is impossible for you to write a good book report if you’ve only read parts of the book. Read the book and make notes in a reading journal as you’re reading. A reading journal is the place where you can write down information about the basic elements of your book—plot, setting, characters, timeline, and any questions that you might have while you are reading. After you finish reading your book, it’s time for you to begin the prewriting process. You may use a graphic organizer to help you keep your ideas in order as you plan your report. Be sure to include your comments or thoughts from your reading journal. Your teacher will probably assign a form for your book report. Forms are really useful because they help you remember all the things you should include in your report. We will talk about these forms a bit later in this book. When you’ve finished prewriting, it’s time for you to begin your first draft of the book report. After the first draft, you should revise, proofread, and finally, write the final draft of the report. Now you’re ready to present your “masterpiece” to your classmates and teacher!

65

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

How to Write a Fiction Book Report 1.

Put a check mark (4) beside the title of each book that you think would be good to read for a fiction book report. You may visit your media center or library to get the answers. a) Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson How to Write a Fiction Book Report How to Write a Fiction Book Report b) A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemon Snicket After You Read After You Read

c) a check Planets by Gail Gibbons Put beside the title of each you think would good to read for ato fiction book Put a check beside the book title ofthat each book that you be think would be good read for a fiction book report. You may visit your media or library to get the answers. report. You may visit center your media center or library to get the answers. d) A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

_____1. Bridge to Terabithia Katherineby Paterson _____1. Bridge tobyTerabithia Katherine Paterson

e) Planet Earth Science Fair Projects _____2. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemon Snicket _____2. A Series of Unfortunate Events by LemonUsing Snicket

the Moon, Stars, Beach balls, Frisbees, and Other Far-out Stuff by Robert Gardner. _____3. Planets by Gail Gibbons _____3. Planets by Gail Gibbons

_____4. A Wrinkle in ATime by Madeleine L'Engle f) Harry Potter and thebySorcerer’s Stone _____4. Wrinkle in Time Madeleine L'Engle

by J.K. Rowling

_____5. Planet EarthPlanet Science FairScience ProjectsFair Using the Moon, Stars, BeachStars, balls,Beach Frisbees, and Other and Other _____5. Earth Projects Using the Moon, balls, Frisbees, g) The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling Far-out StuffFar-out by Robert StuffGardner. by Robert Gardner. _____6. Harry Potterof andAfrican-American the Sorcerer's by J.K.Stone Rowling _____6. Harry Potter and theStone Sorcerer's by J.K. Rowling h) Portraits Heroes by Tonya

Bolden

_____7. The_____7. Chocolate by Patrick TheTouch Chocolate TouchCatling by Patrick Catling

i) I was a Sixth Grade Alien by Bruce Coville

_____8. Portraits of African-American Heroes by Tonya Bolden _____8. Portraits of African-American Heroes by Tonya Bolden

j) Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

_____9. I was a SixthI Grade Alien Grade by Bruce Coville _____9. was a Sixth Alien by Bruce Coville

2.

____10. Dragon Rider by Cornelia ____10. Dragon Rider Funke by Cornelia Funke

Put an “X” next to the best graphic organizer for a fiction book report. 11. Put an X11. next to an theXbest organizer fororganizer a fiction for book report. book report. Put nextgraphic to the best graphic a fiction

a)

b)

Name _____________________________ Date Book Report Book Report Name _____________________________ Date Title of the Book Title_______________________________ Title of the Book Title_______________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Author_____________________________ Author_____________________________ Author ___________________________________________________ Author ___________________________________________________ Illustrator___________________________ Illustrator___________________________ 1. Is the author an expert on thean subject? _____No _____Unsure 1. Is the author expert _____Yes on the subject? _____Yes _____No _____Unsure Main Characters______________________ Main Characters______________________ 2. On the back of2.the for the following information: Ontitle the page back check of the title page check for the following information: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Copyright date _____________________ Copyright date _____________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Number of editions __________________ Number of editions __________________ 3. Is the copyright enough include the newest factsthe on newest the Setting_____________________________ 3. date Is therecent copyright datetorecent enough to include factsSetting_____________________________ on the Explain the plotExplain of this book_____________ topic? the plot of this book_____________ topic? _____Yes _____No _____Unsure ___________________________________ _____Yes _____No _____Unsure ___________________________________ 4. Are there pictures and diagrams? _____No ___________________________________ 4. Are there pictures_____Yes and diagrams? _____Yes _____No ___________________________________ If so, are they helpful? _____Yes _____No If so, are they helpful? _____Yes _____No ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 5. Is the book convenient to use? Rate the following: 5. Is the book convenient to use? Rate the following: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Index: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful Index: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful Would you recommend this book to a friend? Would you recommend this book to a friend? Table of Contents: _____Excellent _____Not helpful_____Not helpful Table of Contents: _____Fair _____Excellent _____Fair Why or why not? Why or why not? Headings: _____Excellent _____Not helpful_____Not helpful Headings: _____Fair _____Excellent _____Fair ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Vocabulary in Italics: _____Excellent _____Not helpful_____Not helpful Vocabulary in Italics: _____Fair _____Excellent _____Fair 6. Does the book6.cover and is topic the information to ___________________________________ Doesthe thetopic bookfully cover the fully and iseasy the information easy___________________________________ to ___________________________________ understand? ___________________________________ understand? Why or why not?Why _______________________________________________ List any other books written this author. or why not? _______________________________________________ List any otherby books written by this author. _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________ 7. What made you selectmade this book a resource? _____Title 7. What you as select this book_____Cover as a resource? _____Cover _____Title _________________________________ _________________________________ ____Other ____Other _________________________________ _________________________________ 8. What overall rating would yourating give this resource? 8. What overall would you give this resource? _____ Use with caution _____ Use with caution _____ Good basic information _____ Good basic information _____ Excellent _____ for assignment Excellent for assignment © Classroom Complete Press Complete Press © Classroom

21

66

21

How to Write A Book Report CC1101 How to Write A Book Report CC1101

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Graphic Organizers for Fiction Book Reports Draw a line from each graphic organizer to it’s written description.

STORY Map

1.

Title of Book Setting Characters Problem Major Events Conclusion Recommendation

A book report form that encourages the writer to compose complete sentences and paragraph describing the book’s characters, their problems, and whether or not he/she approves of the ending of the book.

FICTION BOOK REPORT This book (title) was written by (author). It was published in (copyright date) by (name of publisher). I obtained the book from (where you got the book).

2. A book report form that is

One important character in the book is (character’s name). Physically* this character is (Give a very complete physical description of the character). His/Her personality* could be described as (__________, __________, and _______).

designed for the writer to report on books read during independent reading. This form lets the writer describe the main characters and the setting of the book.

I approve/disapprove of the ending of (book title) because (List your reasons; be specific in your comments). The only change I might want to make in the book is (suggestions? You must suggest changes, even if you did like the book.).

Book Report for Independent Reading Title of Book ______________ Author _______________ Setting ________________________________________ Main Characters: Brief description of each character. 1.________________ ____________________________ 2.________________ ____________________________ 3.________________ ____________________________ 4.________________ ____________________________ Summary: Write a summary about the story. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

3. A book report form that asks only for the basic elements of the book including the major events and the writer’s recommendation of the book to other readers.

How did the story end ?(Conclusion) ______________________________________________

67

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Graphic Organizers for Fiction Book Reports You know that a fiction book is a novel or story that describes imaginary people and events made up by the author, or the person who wrote the book. All fiction books have characters (who the story is about), a setting (the time and place the story happens), and plot (what happens in the book or story). There are many good graphic organizers for fiction book reports. Each one includes some or all of the elements of a fiction book. Sometimes, your teacher will tell you which kind of graphic organizer to use when you present your fiction book report, but you will often have the chance to choose your own organizer for your report. When you do get to choose, make sure that the organizer gives you the opportunity to discuss some or all of the elements of fiction. One very good graphic organizer for fiction books is the Characterization Organizer. The reader is asked to “describe one change in the main character’s personality from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel” and “how is the setting important to the development of the plot?” The emphasis on the characters in a book is an excellent way to let others know how much you like or dislike it and whether or not you would recommend it to others. Another good graphic organizer for a fiction book is the Comparing Myself to a Character. The reader is asked to compare three of the main character’s traits to three of the reader’s own traits. Doing this gives the reader a chance to identify his/her own and the character’s likenesses and differences. The Story Frame Summary graphic organizer gives the reader an opportunity to summarize the plot of a fiction book. In it, the reader identifies the problem that must be solved in the story and all the steps the characters took to solve it. It concludes with an explanation of how the story ends. These are just some of the excellent graphic organizers that can help you present a good fiction book report. Remember, graphic organizers tell you exactly what they do – organize your ideas. Use them whenever you can to make sure that you include everything that’s important in your report or essay. 68

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Knowing the elements of a story will help you understand what is taking place in your book or novel.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Graphic Organizers for Fiction Book Reports Using the information from fiction books that you have already read, complete the following graphic organizers: Use your own paper if you need more room.

Characterization Organizer Describe one change in the main character’s personality from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel; include examples of what the characters says and does to demonstrate the change. What has the main character learned about him/herself or others from his/her experiences in the novel; include details from the novel to support your response. Describe the setting in detail and include examples from the text to support your response. How is the setting important to the development of the plot? Describe a challenge faced by a character in the novel and compare it to a similar challenge you faced or someone you know faced. How are the challenges alike and different?

COMPARING ME TO A CHARACTER IN A BOOK Name:

Date:

Character:

Me:

1.



1.

2.



2.

3.



3.

STORY FRAME SUMMARY Name:

Date:

Title of story In this story, the problem begins when After this, Next, Then, The problem is finally solved when The story ends

69

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Non Fiction Book Reports 1.

Identify the location in a nonfiction book report of each element listed below by placing an I (introduction) in front of the elements that are in the introduction, a B (body) in front of the elements in the body of the report, and a C (conclusion) in front of the elements in the conclusion of the book report.



Introduction

Body

Conclusion

a) Title b) Would you recommend this book to a friend? c) What the book is about. d) a general overview of the author’s topic, main points, and argument e) the book’s copyright date f) What you want your readers to know about the book. g) genre h) What are the author’s qualifications? i) Who published the book? j) What are the book’s strengths or weaknesses?

2.

Put an X next to the title of each nonfiction book (Use your school library if you need to). a) The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong b) The Pinballs by Betsy Byars c) The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane d) Now Is Your Time! The African-American Struggle for Freedom by Walter Dean Myers e) 1776 by David McCullough f) The Princess Bride by William Goldman 70

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

...................

Non Fiction Book Reports There are some differences between a fiction book report and a nonfiction book report. A fiction book is a novel or story that describes imaginary people and events made up by the author. A nonfiction book is about real things, people, events, and places. Diaries, letters, and true historical stories are all nonfiction. A nonfiction book report is made up of three parts – the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The information in each part is described in this diagram: The introduction of the book report includes: • The genre of the book • The book’s copyright and publishing information

• The title of the book • The author of the book • A brief introduction to the book The body of the book report includes:

• Examples from the book • a general overview of the author’s topic, main points, and argument

• the subject of the book • a summary of the book • The author’s qualifications The conclusion of the book report includes:

• What you want your readers to know about this book.

• The book’s strengths and weaknesses • Would you recommend this book to a friend?

All nonfiction books can be divided into three types: 1. informative, 2. biographies, and 3. autobiographies. Each type of nonfiction book is described in this diagram: Types of Nonfiction Books 1. Informative Books – books that provide useful or interesting information. Informative books include all kinds of textbooks such as science, social studies, and history books. 2. Biography – The story of a person’s life written, composed, or produced by another person. 3. Autobiography - A narrative in which an individual tells his or her own life story.

There are thousands and thousands of nonfiction books in your media center or library. Your media specialist will be glad to help you find the type of nonfiction book you wish to read and make a report about. Of course, you can always find the titles of nonfiction books by using the internet or visiting a bookstore.

71

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Non Fiction Book Reports 1.

Identify the type of nonfiction book each title represents by placing an I in front of the informative books, a B in front of the biographies, and an A in front of the autobiographies.



Keep in mind that Informative Books are books that provide useful or interesting information. Informative books include all kinds of textbooks such as science, social studies, and history books. A Biography is the story of a person’s life written, composed, or produced by another person. And an Autobiography is a narrative in which an individual tells his or her own life story. a) Maya Angelou: A Song Flung up to Heaven by Maya Angelou b) The Big Book of Dinosaurs by Angela Wilkes c) I Had a Hammer: the Hank Aaron Story by Hank Aaron d) Spiders Spin Webs: And Other Questions about Insects by Amanda O’Neill e) Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson by Amy Erlich f) Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington by Richard Brookhiser g) Sacajawea: The Story of Bird Woman and the Lewis and Clark Expedition by J. Brouchac h) The Titanic by Judy Donnelly i) First Son: George W. Bush and the Bush Dynasty by Bill Minutaglia j) Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

2.

List at least three suggestions of books that you’d like to read under each of the nonfiction headings.



Informative Books

Biography

Autobiography

a) b) c) 72

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

_____4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle _____5. Planet Earth Science Fair Projects Using the Moon, Stars, Beach balls, Frisbees, and Other Far-out Stuff by Robert Gardner.

NAME:

Before You Read

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_____6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling _____7. The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling

_____8. Portraits of African-American Heroes by Tonya Bolden

Graphic Organizers for Non Fiction Book Reports _____9. I was a Sixth Grade Alien by Bruce Coville ____10. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

Draw aanline each to it’s written description. 11. Put X nextfrom to the best graphicgraphic organizer for aorganizer fiction book report.

A.

Name _____________________________ Date Book Report Title of the Book Title_______________________________ Graphic Organizers for Non Fiction Book Reports ___________________________________________________ Author_____________________________ Author ___________________________________________________ Before You Read Graphic Organizers for Non Fiction Illustrator___________________________ Book Reports 1. Is the author an expert on the subject? _____Yes _____No _____Unsure Put the number of each book report form next to its description. You Read Main Characters______________________ 2. On the back of the title page check for the followingBefore information: ___________________________________ Name _____________________________ Copyright date _____________________ Put the number of each book report form next to Date its description. ___________________________________ 1. Title of of editions the Book ___________________________________________________ Number __________________ Name _____________________________ Date A.___ A graphic organizer that is Author ___________________________________________________ Setting_____________________________ 3. IsTitle the copyright date___________________________________________________ recent enough to include the newest facts on the 1. of the Book used forAagraphic person’sorganizer life storythat thatisis 1. topic? Is the author an expert on the subject? _____Yes _____No _____Unsure A.___ Explain the plot of this book_____________ written by the person. 2. _____Yes On theAuthor back of___________________________________________________ the title page check for the following information: used for a person’s life story that is _____No _____Unsure ___________________________________ 1. Is the author an expert on the subject? _____Yes _____No _____Unsure Copyright datepictures _____________________ 4. andpage diagrams? _____Yes _____No written by the person. ___________________________________ 2. OnAre thethere back of the title check for the following information: Number of editions __________________ If so, aredate they_____________________ helpful? _____Yes _____No ___________________________________ Copyright 3. 5. Is Is the copyright date recent enough to include the newest facts on the topic? the convenient to use? Rate the following: Number of book editions __________________ ___________________________________ _____Yes _____No _____Unsure Index: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful 3. Is the copyright date recent enough to include the newest facts on the topic? Would you recommend this book to a friend? 4. Table Are there pictures and diagrams? _____Yes _____No of Contents: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful _____Yes _____No _____Unsure Why or why not? If so, are they helpful? _____Yes _____No Headings: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful 4. Are there pictures and diagrams? _____Yes _____No ___________________________________ 5. Vocabulary Is the book convenient to use? Rate the following: Italics:_____Yes _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful If so, are they in helpful? _____No Index: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful ___________________________________ 6. the convenient book cover to theuse? topicRate fully the andfollowing: is the information easy to 5. Is Does the book Table of Contents: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful ___________________________________ understand? Index: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful Headings: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful WhyoforContents: why not? _____Excellent _______________________________________________ List any other books written by this author. Table _____Fair _____Not helpful Vocabulary in Italics: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________ Headings: _____Excellent _____Not 6. 7. Does the bookyou cover the_____Fair topicbook fully as and is the helpful information easy to understand? What made select this a resource? _____Cover _____Title _________________________________ Vocabulary Italics: _____Excellent _____Fair _____Not helpful Why or why in not? _______________________________________________ ____Other 6. Does the book cover the topic fully and is the information easy to understand? _________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 8. What overall rating would you give this resource? Why or why not? _______________________________________________ 7. _____ What made youcaution select this book as a resource? _____Cover _____Title ____Other Use with _____________________________________________________________ 8. _____ What overall ratinginformation would you give this resource? Good you basic 7. What made select this book as a resource? _____Cover _____Title ____Other _____ Use with caution _____ Excellent for would assignment 8. What overall rating you give this resource? _____ Good basic information _____ with caution _____ Use Excellent for assignment _____ Good basic information © Classroom Complete Press How to Write A Book Report CC1101 21 _____ Excellent for assignment 2. BOOK REPORT FORM: BIOGRAPHY Title _______________________________________________ 2. BOOK REPORT FORM: BIOGRAPHY Author _____________________________________________ B. ____ A graphic organizer used for Title _______________________________________________ The book is a biography of ____________________________ an A informative book report. Author _____________________________________________ B. ____ graphic organizer used for ____________, who was born on (birth date) ______________ The book is a biography of ____________________________ an informative book report. in (birthplace) _____________________. ____________, was you bornlearned. on (birth date) ______________ Write a summarywho of what in (birthplace) _____________________. ___________________________________________________ Write a summary of what you learned. ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ What is the most interesting fact about this person? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ What is the most interesting fact about this person? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ How would you describe this person? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ How would you describe this person? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ If you could meet this person what question would you ask ___________________________________________________ him/her? If you could meet this person what question would you ask __________________________________________________ him/her? ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Would you recommend this book? Why or Why not? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Would you recommend this book? Why or Why not? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

1.

B.

A graphic organizer that is used for a person’s life story that is written by the person.

2. A graphic organizer used for an informative book report.

C.

3. A graphic organizer used for a

3. Autobiography Book Report Your name:________________________________________________ 3. Autobiography Book Report Title______________________________________________________ Your name:________________________________________________ Author____________________________________________________ Title______________________________________________________ Birth Date_________________________________________________ Author____________________________________________________ Birth Place________________________________________________ Birth Date_________________________________________________ This person is important because______________________________ Birth Place________________________________________________ Two important facts I learned about this famous person are:_________ This is important because______________________________ If youperson could meet this person, what question would you ask Two important facts I learned about this famous person are:_________ him/her___? If you could meet this person, what question would you ask ________________________________________________________ him/her___? ? © Classroom Complete Press 28 ________________________________________________________ © Classroom Complete Press

C. ___ A graphic organizerbook used forreport a book report about someone’s life that C. ___ A graphic organizer used for a Is written by another person. life book report about someone’s life that that Is written by another person.person.

about someone’s Is written by another

How to Write A Book Report CC1101 How to Write A Book Report CC1101

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Reading Passage

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Graphic Organizers for Non Fiction Book Reports You already know that a graphic organizer is a diagram or drawing which helps you organize your ideas on paper. There are many graphic organizers that will help you write a book report about a nonfiction book. You also know that a nonfiction book is about real things, people, events, and places and that there are three types of nonfiction books – informative books, biographies, and autobiographies. There are all kinds of informative books. Any book that tells you facts about its subject is an informative book. Therefore, history, science, biology, sociology, economics, animal books, books about snakes and reptiles, and many, many more books are all informative books. The Events Chain Graphic Organizer is a very good tool to use when you want to make a report about a biography or an autobiography. The organizer lists several places for you to describe important events in the life of the person you read about and then gives you a space to write what you’ve learned from the biography or autobiography. A 5 W’s + H organizer is another good biography and autobiography organizer. In this form, you write Who the book is about, What he/she did, When it happened, Where it happened, and Why it happened. The Five Fingered Organizer asks the same questions by using the fingers on one hand to stand for each of the 5W’s with the H in the palm. The Informational Book Report Form helps you organize all the information that you read in any informational book. The form asks you to describe the type of information the book is about, write some of the interesting facts you learned from the book, tell whether or not you enjoyed reading the book, and if you found it interesting. A KWHL Book Report Organizer is also a good informational book report form. In this organizer, you list what you already Know about the book’s subject, what you Want to learn about the book’s subject, How you think you will learn this material, and finally, how much you Learned from the book when you read it. Of course, in all these organizers you should remember to include the title of the book, the author of the book, the copyright date, and the publisher’s name.

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NAME:

After You Read

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Graphic Organizers for Non Fiction Book Reports

Using information from nonfiction books that you have already read, complete each of the graphic organizers below. Events Chain Graphic Organizer

What I Know

What I Want to Know

How I’ll Learn It

What I Learned

Title_________________________________________ Author _____________________________ What type of information is this book about?______________________________________ Did you find this book interesting? Why or Why Not?_______________________________ Write some interesting facts that you have learned. ______________________________ Did you like this book? Why or why not? __________________________________________

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NAME:

Before You Read

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Oral Book Reports 1.

Match each term in the box with its correct meaning below. Dressing as a book character audience profile rehearse eye contact transitions

visual aids conversational video

notes pacing oral

a) _______________ book reports are spoken aloud rather than presented in written form. b) _________________ means to practice something before presenting or performing it. c) ___________________________ is a brief description that summarizes the characteristics of the people listening to book report. d) ___________________ are the times in an oral book report when the speaker changes from the introduction to the body or from the body to the conclusion of the report. e) ______________________________ is the act of looking directly into the eyes of another person or group of people. f) _______________________ are things that the speaker uses in an oral book report to add to its meaning, for example, charts, graphs, or pictures. g) __________________________ the type of speaking used in oral book reports that is informal in language and style h) _______________ are something written down, often in a shortened form, as a record or reminder i) _______________ is something that has been recorded on videotape, especially a movie, music performance, or an oral report. j) _______________ refers to the speaker’s rate or speed of talking k) ________________________________________________ is one way to make an oral book report more interesting for your audience.

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Reading Passage

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Oral Book Reports Many teachers assign at least one oral book report to their students each year. An oral book report is spoken aloud by the presenter to the audience. Most oral book reports are from three to five minutes long and are made up of a brief summary of the book, some comments about the characters and plot, and the presenter’s opinion of the book. Sometimes, presenters will include visual aids in their reports. Visual aids are any charts, graphs, drawings, or other materials that will add meaning to the information that is being presented. An oral book report is not just an essay that is read aloud. It should be an interesting, informative talk or short speech about a book that is meant to entertain your classmates. Your teacher probably won’t see your notes or graphic organizer for an oral book report, so it’s up to you to do the best job you can as you present your talk to the class. Here are some pointers to help you prepare an excellent oral book report: Steps to a Great Oral Book Report 1. Make sure that your report has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Outline what you are going to say in each section. 2. Introduction - use the introduction to tell your audience the general information about your book, such as its title, author, publisher, and year of publication. You may choose to start with an attention-grabber, like a question or a funny story related to the book. Telling it will help you relax and warm your audience to the presentation. 3. Body - use the body of your presentation to describe key elements of the story, such as its setting and time period, an overview of the main characters, and a very brief summary of the plot. 4. Conclusion - use your conclusion to describe any themes or symbolism in the book and how the author uses them to reinforce important messages. At the end of your presentation, tell your audience what you thought of the book. Would you recommend it? Are you planning to read additional work by this author?

Use these steps to write an outline of what you plan to say in your talk. Your teacher may want you to write your ideas on note cards that you can refer to during the report. Remember, you will be talking to the members of your class, not reading them a story. After you’ve finished outlining the report, practice several times. The more often you practice, the more at ease you’ll become. As you speak, be sure to make eye-contact with different members of the audience. Doing this will help your classmates stay focused on what you are saying. Also, try to include one or more visual aids such as a chart, picture, map, or even a costume that helps add meaning to your book report. Finally, don’t forget to smile as you speak and keep your voice level high enough that everyone can hear you easily. 77

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NAME:

After You Read

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Oral Book Reports Fill in the following graphic organizer using information from a book that you have read recently. You may need to visit the media center or use the internet to refresh your memory about your book’s details. Oral Book Report Notes Author Title Publisher Genre Main Characters Setting Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Other ideas for oral book reports: 1. Act out a dialog between two of your book’s characters. 2. Act out an interview with the main character of your book. 3. Act out an interview with the author of your book. 4. Act out one event that shows the feelings of one of the characters. 5. Give an oral report and leave off the ending. See if your classmates can guess the ending. Conclusion Oral Book Report Checklist 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Were my ideas organized clearly? Could my voice be heard easily? Did I read entirely from my notes? Did I include all the important information about the book? Did I maintain good eye contact with my audience? Did I stay focused on the topic? Did I use visual aids that were related to the book’s topic? Was my report too long or too short?

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NAME:

Before You Read

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Graphic Organizers for Oral Book Reports Put the letter of the correct term beside the correct meaning:

A

notes

B

note cards

C

body language

D

transitions

E

outline

F

oral quiz

G

quotation

H

story map

I

sequence map

J

problem/solution map

a listing of all the most important points in a book or story.

1

a word, phrase, sentence, or group of sentences that relates a preceding topic to a succeeding one or that smoothly connects parts of a speech or piece of writing

2

a restatement of what a character says in a book or story.

3

a graphic organizer that lets the presenter list all the elements of a story or book as part of an oral or written book report.

4

a graphic organizer that lets the presenter list all the conflicts and solutions which occur in a book as part of an oral or written book report.

5

index cards or similar cards used for recording notes or other information.

6

a graphic organizer that lets the presenter list all the events in a story or book in the order they occurred as part of an oral or written book report.

7

a summary of important facts or points written down by a reader or speaker.

8

gestures, unconscious bodily movements, facial expressions, etc. which serve as nonverbal communication or as accompaniments to speeches or reports.

9

a short, vocal question and answer session.

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Reading Passage

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Graphic Organizers for Oral Book Reports Keeping all the facts and other things you want to say about your book is very important when you present an oral book report. Graphic organizers are excellent tools to use when you begin to gather the information you plan to use in your report. A very simple and good graphic organizer to use for oral reports is an outline, or a listing of all the most important points in a book or story. Many times, speakers write their outlines on note cards which are index cards or similar cards used for recording notes or other information. The idea is to use the note cards to help you remember all the key points you want to make in your report. Be sure to practice or rehearse reading these notes before you speak to your class. Do not read directly from the cards during your talk! Other good graphic organizers for oral reports are story maps, sequence maps, and problem/solution maps. A story map is a graphic organizer that lets the presenter list all the elements of a story or book as part of an oral or written book report. A sequence map is a graphic organizer that lets the presenter list all the events in a story or book in the order they occurred as part of an oral or written book report. And a problem/solution map is a graphic organizer that lets the presenter list all the conflicts and solutions which occur in a book. All graphic organizers for oral reports are not the same. Some are designed especially for biographies or autobiographies while others are designed for informational books such as history or science texts. When you want to give an oral report about a fiction book you may want to use an organizer that lets you use quotations, or restatements of what a character says. No matter what kind of book you choose for your report, there are some things that you should remember as you plan for it. Since all book reports have three parts – the introduction, body, and conclusion, be sure to plan what you will say or do as you change or transition, from one part to another. You may want to pause briefly, point to your visual aid if you have one, or use other forms of body language to show that you are moving from one section to the next. Body language consists of any gestures, body movements, or facial expressions which serve as nonverbal communication or as accompaniments to speeches or reports. Most importantly, try to relax and have fun! 80

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Oral reports will help you learn how to organize your thoughts and ideas, present them in a sequential order, and to be at ease speaking in front of a group.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Graphic Organizers for Oral Book Reports

Choose a book that you have recently read and use the information from it to complete one of the oral book report graphic organizers below. Make sure that your organizer is suitable for the type of book you choose. Story Map Main Characters

Supporting Characters

Setting

Title & Author

Problem

Solutions

Sequencing Events

Cause

Effect

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NAME:

Before You Read

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Proofreading Practice Fill in each blank with a term from the vocabulary box. indented punctuation character author informative biography setting autobiography proofreading subject predicate quotation marks capital letter

a)

means reading a report to look for errors in spelling and composition.

b) Each sentence in a book report must begin with a c) There must be some form of

.

at the end of each sentence.

d) An incomplete sentence is one that lacks a

.

e) Be sure to use spoken by the characters in the book. f)

or a

around the words that are

The first sentence of each paragraph must be

.

g) A person described in a book or play is called a

.

h) The person who writes a book is called its i)

The time and place a story takes place is its

j)

The three main types of nonfiction books are



, and

. . , .

Proofreading Checklist Organization and Content Checklist: • I used important details. • When I added details, I didn’t wander from the main idea. I remembered my Topic Sentence and the subject of the Writing Prompt and stayed on course. • I organized my ideas in a logical way. • My composition answered the question in the prompt.

How’s My Style: • I used many different and descriptive words. • I used words that helped people see my meaning. They could use all of their senses to feel and even hear my meaning. • I used different kinds of sentences and didn’t start each one with the same word. • I made every effort to make my writing legible. My spelling and grammar were the very best. 82

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Reading Passage

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Proofreading Practice Now that you have finished preparing your book report it is time to proofread, or check it for mistakes. As you proofread, you will be looking at the mechanics and the form of your book report. The mechanics include all the capitalization, spelling, and grammar rules that you should follow while the form refers to all the elements of a good book report that must be part of your work. The first step in proofreading is to let your writing rest for a few hours or even a day. Do other things or play a bit before you begin to reread your report. When you do begin to proofread, read the book report aloud. Listen to yourself and find if you have left out or added extra words. Do the sentences sound complete? Do all the subjects and predicate agree in tense and number? Are you saying what you meant to say in your report? Next, reread your report carefully, word-for-word, making sure that you’ve spelled each word correctly. If a word doesn’t appear to be spelled correctly, look it up in a dictionary. Do all the sentences begin with capital letters? Does each sentence have the correct form of punctuation at its end? Have you used descriptive words and varied the length and types of sentences in the book report? Did you indent the first line of every paragraph? All of these questions should be answered as you proofread your report. Now you should check the form of your book report. We have learned that there are elements that must be included in any good book report such as: 1. the title of the book, 2. the author of the book, 3. the publication date of the book, 4. the book’s setting, 5. the type of book, 6. the characters, 7. the plot, and 8. your thoughts and recommendations about the book. Be sure that your book report has all these elements as you proofread it. Finally, ask one of your parents or a friend to proofread the book report for you. Another set of eyes can often catch mistakes that you have overlooked. A parent or friend may ask you to explain a sentence or idea that seems unclear. All of this extra checking will help you make an excellent grade on your book report. When you are finished proofreading, it’s time to write the final draft of your report. When you feel that it is as good as you can make it, it is time to turn the report in.

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After You Read

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Proofreading Practice Proofread this book report and circle any mistakes that you find. There are at least 18 mistakes. Then fill in the blanks below with the elements of a good book report from this example. There will be one element missing. The Bad Beginning: A Terrible Tale Do you enjoy happy endings. If so, The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket is a book you’ll want to avoid. This is a storie with a bad begining, a bad midle and a bad ending. why would anyone want to read such a bade book? It’s all in good fun! The bad beginning is a story about the suffering of three orphaned childern at the hands of their uncle, Count Olaf. Although Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are the inheritors of a huge fortune, they cannot claim the money until they are older. for now, they must live with Olaf and cook and clean for him and his terrible theater friends. Why would such a cruel charater take in three orphans? He wants to steel their fortune, of course I can’t tell you how the story ends, but I can tell you what I enjoyed most about the book. Snicket makes his readers laff and want to continue reeding, even in the most terible situations. for example, he constantly warns his reader to put down the book because nothing good could possible come of the orphans’ unfortunate situation. He writes: “It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasent tails, but there is nothing stopping you from puting this book down at once…” Of course, Snicket’s warnings only made me even more curiosity to find out what would become of the family in the end. Will Olaf’s evel plot win out? Or will these three crafty kids outwit him? If your not afraid of a little misery and a whole lot of mischief, then I recommend you read The Bad Beginning and find out for yourself. Title_ _____________________________________

Author_____________________________

Publication date _________________________ Characters _ _____________________________________________________________________ Plot ______________________________________________________________________________ Recommendations _______________________________________________________________ Opinions _________________________________________________________________________

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NAME:

Before You Read

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Review to Remember Answer each question with a complete sentence.

1.

What is a book report?

2.

What are the three parts of a good book report?

3.

What does genre mean?

4.

Into what two categories can all books be divided?

5.

What types of information should all good book reports contain?

6.

What is an oral book report?

7.

How can graphic organizers help you write a good book report?

8.

Into which three groups can all nonfiction books be divided?

9.

Why is it important to read the entire book you’ve chosen before you begin to write your report?

10.

Write at least three sentences about the book that you plan to use for your book report.

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NAME:

Reading Passage

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Review to Remember A book report is an essay which gives a brief summary of a book and your reaction to it. Writing a book report is a way to show how well you understand a book and to tell what you think about it. A good book report has three sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. A book report’s introduction must include the title of the book (underlined or typed in italics), the book’s author, why you chose the book to make a report, and the book’s genre, or type of story. The body of a book report is the section of the book report in which you describe the main parts of a story: theme, plot, setting, and characters. The theme is the main idea of the story. The setting is the time and place of the story. The plot is what happens in the story. The characters are who the story is about. The conclusion is the summary of your book report. In it, you will give your opinion of the book and the most important things you want other people to know about it. All books can be divided into two kinds – fiction and nonfiction. Fiction books are made up by the author while nonfiction books are based on real people or events. Nonfiction books can be informative, biographical, or autobiographical. A biography is the story of a person’s life that is written by someone else. An autobiography is the story of a person’s life written by that person. Book reports can be presented in many different ways. Some book reports are written and turned in to the teacher and others are presented orally in front of a group of people. Most book report authors use some kind of graphic organizer to help gather and organize the information about the book. Before beginning a book report it is very important to read the entire book. By doing this you will gain a general understanding of the plot, characters, and organization of the book. Besides, you’d feel very foolish trying to answer questions about the book if you hadn’t read all of it! If you have a choice about the book to make a report on, be sure to choose one that sounds like it would be interesting to you. Then, as you read, make notes about the characters, plot, setting, and other important parts of the book. 86

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Make sure that you choose a book that interests you, take notes while you read it, and then write a great book report to share the book with your friends and classmates. You will have a great sense of accomplishment when you’re finished.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Review to Remember 1.

Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) There are only three types of graphic organizers suitable for book reports.



True

False

b) Writing a book report is a good way to show that you understand the book.



True

False

c) A book’s author is the person who wrote the book.



True

False

d) The setting of a book is the shelf it is stored on in the library or media center.



True

False

e) Some students get nervous before giving an oral book report.



True

False

f) All nonfiction books can be divided into four groups.



True

False

g) It is very important to read the whole book before you begin to make a report on it.



True

False

h) You can write another person’s autobiography.



True

False

i) Nonfiction books are based on the stories of real people and places.



True

False

j) The characters in a book are not important in the book report.

2.



True

False

Put these steps of writing a good book report in order by placing what happens first, 2 next to what happens second, etc..

1

next to

a) write the report b) read the book c) use a graphic organizer to gather information about the book. 87

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

WritinG Task #

1

................... You have spent a great deal of time writing book reports. Now let’s write to the author of one of your favorite books! On your computer, go to http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/biochildhome.htm . There you will find several choices beginning with “Print bibliographies” and continuing to all the letters of the alphabet. Choose a letter and click on it. Here you will find many children’s authors listed. Click on any name that is followed by “teacher resource file” and read about that author. When you have finished, write the rough draft below of an e-mail that you’d like to send to this author. Be sure to ask questions about their books and characters.

WritinG Task #

2

................... Choose a favorite character from a book you have read. Now pretend that you and this character can go on a five-day vacation together. Write a diary entry for each day describing the events of each day. You may use additional paper from your notebook if you like.

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WritinG Task #

3

................... Imagine that your teacher has asked you to write the story of your own life – your autobiography. Make an outline and then write the first two paragraphs of your autobiography below. Be sure to make it interesting for your readers.

WritinG Task # 4

................... Choose one book that you have read recently. Now pretend that your job is to design a TV commercial advertising this book. Write the script for the commercial and draw the cover of the book that you will be advertising. Remember to include the book title, author, where it is sold, and how much it costs in the script.

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WritinG Task # 5

................... Using your computer, go to http://www.ncsu.edu/globalbookclub/books.html You will see months of the year followed by different book genres. Choose the type of book that you’d like to read about and click on it. You will see the titles of books that have been reviewed on this site. Choose one of the book reviews and read it carefully. Then write a review of the review. Tell if you think the author of the review covered all the important points about the book. Have you ever read this book? Does this review make you want to read it? What grade would you give the author of the book review?

WritinG Task # 6

................... Choose a favorite book you’ve already read and check it out of your library again. You learned that quotations from the book are great to use in book reports. Browse through your book and write down some of your favorite quotes from it. Try to get at least two quotes from each character. Remember to identify who is speaking, the title of the book, and the page from which the quote is taken. Always set aside the actual words the character says with quotation marks.

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After You Read

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Crossword Word List biography body book report characters fantasy genres informative introduction mystery

1

organizer quotes setting theme title visual

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Across 3.

4. 8. 9. 10. 12. 13. 14. 15.

A true story about a real person’s life that is written by another person The time and place of a story or book ____________ Aids are often used in oral book reports The first section of a book report The main idea of a story or book Graphic ____________ A story about a crime, or an investigation The name of a book Kinds or types of books or stories

Down 1.

The middle section of a book report 2. Who the book or story is about 5. One type of nonfiction book 6. Actual words spoken by a character in a book or story 7. An essay which gives a brief summary of a book 11. A story about imaginary characters or places

91

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NAME:

After You Read

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Word Search Find the following key words from the story. The words are written horizontally, vertically, diagonally and some are even backwards. author body biography book report conclusion

fiction genres graphic introduction journal

nonfiction oral organizers plot proofread

quotations setting theme visual aids

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92

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Comprehension Quiz Answer each question with one or more complete sentences.

24 5

1.

What is one way to show how well you understand a book and to tell what you think about it?

2.

What are the three main parts of a good book report?

3.

What is a book report?

4.

All books can be divided into two kinds. What are they?

5.

Describe or draw one kind of graphic organizer that would be good to use during the prewriting phase of composing a book report.

6. Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) An adventure book can be fiction or nonfiction.



True

False

b) Mysteries are always fiction books.



True

False

c) Fairy tales and fantasies are nonfiction books.



True

False

d) Biographies are always nonfiction books.



True

False

e) Some science stories can be fiction.



True

False

f) There are two kinds of historical stories – historical fact and historical fiction.



True

False

g) Body language is important when you’re presenting an oral book report.



True

False

h) Myths and legends are not good subjects for book reports.



True

9

False

i) There are many kinds of good graphic organizers to use when you write book reports.



True

False 93

SUBTOTAL:

/14

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Comprehension Quiz 7.

5

Complete each statement by circling the correct term. a) Which part of a book report should include the title (name) and author (writer) of the book you read; why you chose the book; and the kind of story the book tells? introduction

body

conclusion

b) Which part of a book report is the summary of your book report? introduction

body

conclusion

c) Which part of a book report is the section in which you describe the main parts of a story: theme, plot, setting, and characters? introduction

body

conclusion

d) What kind of graphic organizer gives you an opportunity to list all the important events in a book in the order that they occurred? Cause and Effect Map

Sequence Chart

Characterization Comparison Map

e) What term means “all the elements that must be included in any good book report”? Visual aids

8.

mechanics

form

Write at least one well-developed paragraph describing all the elements of a good book report.

SUBTOTAL: 94

5

/10

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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What is an Essay? Use one of the words or phrases in the box to complete each statement. revising five paragraphs conclusion essay introduction publishing five graphic organizers proofreading purpose three drafting

a) An the same topic.

body prewriting

is a collection of paragraphs that are all related to

b) Most essays are made up of at least c) All essays have

. parts.

d) The first part of an essay is the

.

e) The second part of the essay is the f)

.

The final part of the essay is the

g) There are

. steps in the writing process.

h) The first step in the writing process is i)

. are charts or graphs which

help organize a writer’s ideas. j)

The second step in the writing process is

.

k) The third step in the writing process is

.

l)

.

m)

The fourth step in the writing process is the fifth step in the writing process.

n) The reason you choose to write something is your

.

o) List at least three topics about which you would like to write essays.

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What is an Essay? Just as a paragraph is a collection of sentences about the same topic, an essay is a collection of paragraphs that are all related to the same topic. Most essays have five paragraphs organized this way: Parts of an Essay First paragraph – the introduction Second, third, and fourth paragraphs – the body of the essay Fifth paragraph – the conclusion Sometimes your teacher may assign a prompt, or topic for your essay. Or you may get to choose one on your own. Either way, you should look at your topic and ask yourself, “What do I want my audience to know about this subject?” Your answer will be your purpose for writing. You can easily see that the first two steps in writing an essay are to: 1. choose a topic and 2. choose a purpose for writing. You have learned that writing is a process made up of several steps. The first step is prewriting. After you know your purpose, prewriting is the time to gather and organize the information you want to include in your essay. During prewriting you may jot down notes, make an outline, copy quotations from a book or article, or brainstorm ideas for your essay. As you do this, your teacher may ask you to use graphic organizers to gather the information and put it in a usable form. We will discuss using graphic organizers in a later chapter. The next step in the writing process is drafting. This is the time when you begin to put your ideas into complete sentences on paper. You can share some of the interesting facts you’ve found through your research or you can make a point about a topic in order to persuade someone to believe as you do. There are several graphic organizers that will help you with the drafting process. After you have finished the first draft of your essay, you will need to read it very carefully and make any changes in wording or structure that are needed. This process is called revising the essay. Your next step will be to proofread, or look for and correct any mistakes that you might have made. When you have finished proofreading, your essay is ready to be published or presented to your audience. 96

The Writing Watch Dog says,

“An essay is a short piece of writing that discusses, describes, or analyzes one topic. It can be about anything, and be written in almost any style. It can be serious or funny, straight-forward or symbolic. It can describe personal opinions, or just report information.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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What is an Essay? 1.

Circle each phrase that correctly completes each statement. a) A/an essay

is a collection of sentences about the same topic. paragraph

compound sentence

b) A/an ________________ is a collection of paragraphs that are all related to the same topic. essay

paragraph

compound sentence

c) Writing is a

made up of five steps.

series of words

story

process

d) The step in which you brainstorm ideas, make an outline, and plan what your essay is called . drafting

prewriting

revising

proofreading

publishing

e) The step in which you look for any mistakes you have made is called drafting

prewriting

revising

proofreading

.

publishing

f) The step in which you change any words or structure problems in your essay is called . drafting

prewriting

revising

proofreading

publishing

g) The step in which you begin to put your ideas together as sentences and paragraphs is called . drafting

prewriting

revising

proofreading

publishing

h) The step in which you present your essay to your audience is called drafting

prewriting

revising

proofreading

i) Suggestions of topics for an essay are also called titles

names

purpose

publishing .

prompts

j) The reason you write an essay is called your cause

.

for writing.

idea

97

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Prewriting and Graphic Organizers Put the letter of the correct term beside the correct meaning:

A

prewriting

a graphic organizer that identifies who, what where, when, and why

1

B

brainstorming

an essay that tells a story

2

a graphic organizer that lists events in the order they occurred

3

a way of coming up with ideas by recording your words and thoughts.

4

an essay whose purpose is to present information to the reader

5

diagrams or drawings which help organize a writer’s ideas

6

an essay whose purpose is to convince people to agree with the writer about a specific issue.

7

a graphic organizer that lists the details of the sights, tastes, smells, touches, and sounds of a topic

8

the first step in the writing process in which you prepare to write by talking, thinking, and reading about possible writing topics.

9

graphic organizer often used to compare the likenesses and differences of two or more subjects.

10

a graphic organizer that shows the relationship between two events or conditions when one makes the other happen.

11

C D E F G H

graphic organizer

5 W’s Chart

Venn Diagrams

cause/effect charts

sequence charts

sensory chart

I

informative essay

J

persuasive essay

K

narrative essay

98

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Prewriting and Graphic Organizers Prewriting is the first step in the writing process. During prewriting, you begin to prepare to write by talking, thinking, and reading about possible writing topics. There will be times when your teacher assigns a topic for your essay. But many times you will have the chance to choose a topic for yourself. One way to find ideas about a topic is to brainstorm. In brainstorming, you write down all of your thoughts about the topic in a set period of time. When you brainstorm, no thought is too silly to write down. Your goal is to list as many ideas related to the subject as you can. As you brainstorm, you should write down everything that comes into your mind about the subject. Often you can use graphic organizers to help you brainstorm ideas. You already know that graphic organizers are diagrams or drawings which help you organize your ideas. There are many kinds of graphic organizers that can help as you prepare to write. You may choose to make a list of all the ideas you can think of about a topic. Sometimes, describing the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, and why) about your topic on a 5 W’s Chart will help you decide which facts to include in your essay. Sensory Charts help you think about the sights, smells, tastes, touches, and sounds of an event or object. Sequence Charts make it easy to arrange events in the order they occurred. These and other graphic organizers will make your prewriting much easier. There are four basic types of essays. They are: narrative essays that tell a story, persuasive essays that try to make your readers think as you do about a topic, informative essays that present information about a topic, and descriptive essays that tell about or describe an object or event. There are many graphic organizers that are well-suited to each type of essay. Sometimes district or state writing exams will assign a particular type of essay prompt for you to write about. Learning about each kind of essay will certainly help you when your writing exam time comes!

99

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Graphic organizers are useful tools which help you visualize concepts, relationships, and facts. They assist you with organizing, interpreting and understanding the parts of an essay.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

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Prewriting and Graphic Organizers Fill in the blanks in the following chart.

TYPE OF ESSAY

PURPOSE

1. Narrative

show, tell, review

2.

When you write this essay your purpose is to convince people to agree with you about a specific issue. You should write about what you think or believe.

3. Informative

4.

KEY WORDS TO USE

convince; prove; encourage; persuade

explain; inform

This is an essay whose purpose is to describe or portray something, someone, or some place with enough detail to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written about. When you write this kind of essay, your job is to paint a mental picture of the person, place, or thing for your readers.

describe, portray, picture

5. Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) A descriptive essay’s purpose is to change the reader’s mind about an issue.



True

False

b) A research report about the rain forest in Brazil would be an informative essay.



True

False

c) An essay whose purpose is to tell about your first day in a new school is a persuasive essay.



True

False 100

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

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Drafting and Graphic Organizers Match each graphic organizer with its description.

Informal Outline

1.

Topic (Introduction) (sub-point) (sub-point) (Main Point) (sub-point) (sub-point) (sub-point) (Main Point) (sub-point) (sub-point) (Main Point) (sub-point) (sub-point) (Conclusion)

A graphic organizer that arranges the events or topics as they happened.

2. A graphic organizer that arranges ideas by their importance.

Chronological Order Chart TOPIC – First, (Introductory Paragraph) Second, (Body Paragraph) Third, (Body Paragraph) Fourth, (Body Paragraph) Finally, (Conclusion)

3. A graphic organizer that

Order of Importance Ladder

arranges ideas as main topic, supporting details, and closing sentence for each paragraph in the essay.

Topic Most Important Idea Supporting Details Summary Idea

101

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Drafting and Graphic Organizers The second step in the writing process is drafting. Writing a first, or rough, draft is the time to put all your thoughts about the topic on paper. Don’t worry too much about spelling or punctuation on the first draft. You’ll have time to fix mistakes later. The first draft lets you see how everything fits together. You may want to add or take away some things after you finish the first draft. As you write your first draft, always keep the purpose of the essay in mind. For instance, the purpose of an informative essay is to present facts and ideas about the topic. The purpose of a narrative essay might be to tell about an event, while a descriptive essay’s purpose could be to describe a beautiful flower garden. Write your essay with its purpose in mind. There are several ways to organize your work as you begin your first draft. One good way is to make an outline. An outline is a plan for writing. All the important points about your topic are arranged in a logical order in an outline. Outlines can be set up in several ways using graphic organizers. One way of organizing your ideas into an informal outline is to begin by writing your topic at the top of the page. Next, write each main point on the page. Be sure to leave some space between each one. Finally, write the supporting details of each topic underneath it. An example of an outline graphic organizer is shown on the following page. Another good graphic organizer for making an outline is an Order of Importance Ladder. On it, you can list the points you want to cover in your essay in the order of their importance. Finally, a Chronological Outline is good to use when you are writing about events in history or steps in a process. On a Chronological Outline, the main points or events are listed in the order they occurred. When you have organized your information in a workable form, it is time to begin writing. Every essay should begin with an introduction. In it, you will introduce your main topic and let your readers know what you plan to tell them in your essay. After the introduction, you will write the body of your essay. The body is made up of three or more paragraphs containing details about the main topic. Finally, you will finish the essay with a conclusion paragraph which sums up all the points you’ve made about your topic in the introduction and body paragraphs.

102

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NAME:

After You Read

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Drafting and Graphic Organizers 1.

Complete each statement with a term from the box below. rough draft informal outline order of importance ladder

chronological outline drafting purpose

a) A graphic organizer that lists the events or steps in a process in the order they occurred is called a . b) The second step in the writing process is called

.

c) If you want to organize the points in your essay according to how important they are to the topic, you would use an . d) Any type of chart or drawing that helps you gather and sort information for an essay or report is called an . e) A is the result of writing your thoughts and ideas down on paper as sentences and paragraphs. f)

2.

Your reason for writing an essay is called the essay’s

.

Complete the following informal outline using the topic “My Best Year in School”. Topic: My Best Year in School (Introduction)____________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (Main Point)______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (Main Point)______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (Main Point)______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (sub-point)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ (Conclusion)_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 103

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

What is a Descriptive Essay? 1.

Put an X in front of the descriptive essay prompts. a) Your neighbor has some very strange pets. One day he asks you to babysit his pet raccoon. Write a story about the adventures of babysitting this lovable animal. b) Many television shows are devoted to helping people envision a dream home. Imagine one of these shows has agreed to build your dream home. In a letter, describe your dream home to the show’s producers so they will build exactly the home you want. c) Inventions are all around us. Think of an invention that has been especially helpful or harmful to people. Write an essay that explains why. d) Think of a place that you can remember clearly and that is important to you. Think of the sights, sounds, and smells that come rushing back into your memory. Use words to paint a picture of this place that would make a reader feel as if he or she were right there. e) Accidents can happen to anyone. Imagine that you and a friend were playing pitch on the school yard. When you throw your fastball your friend misses the catch and the ball breaks the window of the principal’s office! Write an accident report essay describing what happened, how it happened, and who was involved in the accident.

2.

Describing Words: Adjectives describe nouns (people, places, or things) by answering one of these three questions: What kind is it? How many are there? Which one is it? Descriptive essays are more interesting when an assortment of adjectives is used in them. Circle at least one adjective in each sentence below and tell which of the three questions it answers. a) She is my favorite cousin. _________________________________________________________ b) The famous chef served our meal. ________________________________________________ c) Kittens and cats make excellent pets._ ____________________________________________ d) I like to listen to loud music. _______________________________________________________ e) The little girl is my sister. ___________________________________________________________

104

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

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What is a Descriptive Essay? A descriptive essay is an essay whose purpose is to describe or portray something, someone, or some place with enough detail to help the reader create a mental picture of it. When you write a descriptive essay, your job is to paint a mental picture of the person, place, or thing for your readers. There are two kinds of descriptive essays. The first kind is an objective essay. In an objective descriptive essay the writer describes objects, as any person would see them – color, shape, length, height, width, weight, etc. Objective essays do not contain any of the writer’s likes or dislikes or feelings about the object being described. A good example of an objective descriptive essay is a Police Report of an Accident. The policeman does not say whether or not one of the cars is his/her favorite color or whether or not the accident happened in front of the best skateboard store in town. These are personal likes and dislikes. The second kind of descriptive essay is an impressionistic or subjective essay. These kinds of essays describe objects and people as the writer sees them. They rely on the writer’s five senses to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. The first step in prewriting for a good descriptive essay is planning. Your planning should include: 1. choosing a topic (if you are given a choice); 2. gathering information about the topic; and 3. using a graphic organizer to map out the structure of the descriptive essay. There are several types of graphic organizers suitable for descriptive essays. A Five Senses Graphic Organizer is an excellent one during your prewriting work on a descriptive essay. You can record how an object or event affected your own five senses. Another good organizer for descriptive essays is a Spider Map Graphic Organizer. On it, you write the main topic of the essay on the body of the spider and supporting details on each of the spider’s eight legs. It is very important to remember that descriptive essays should contain colorful language. Try to use as many adjectives as you can in your essay. Descriptive essays do not tell a story, convince someone to think a certain way, or present a report about something. In a descriptive essay, your purpose is to describe as many characteristics of a person, place, thing, or feeling as you can.

105

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Great descriptive essays use detailed observations and descriptions to project complete pictures into the minds of your audience.”

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

What is a Descriptive Essay? 1.

Complete the following Spider Map Organizer for a descriptive essay about your favorite dessert. Detail

Detail

Detail My Favorite Dessert

Detail

Detail Detail

2.

Complete each statement a) The purpose of a descriptive essay is to ___________________________________. b) The two types of descriptive essays are __________________ and ____________________. c) Descriptive essays should contain a great deal of colorful _________________________. d) The first step of any prewriting process should be _________________________. e) When you write a descriptive essay, your job is to paint a __________________

_________________________ of the topic.

f) A good graphic organizer to use for a descriptive essay is a _______________________ Map. Things to Remember When You Write a Descriptive Essay about an event: Think of an event that you want to describe. • Why is this particular event important? • What were you doing? • What other things were happening around you? Is there anything specific that stands out in your mind? • Where were objects located in relation to where you were? • How did the surroundings remind you of other places you have been? • What sights, smells, sounds, and tastes were in the air? • Did the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes remind you of anything?

• • • • •

•

106

What were you feeling at that time? Has there been a time in which you have felt this way before? What do you want the reader to feel after reading the paper? What types of words and images can convey this feeling? Can you think of another situation that was similar to the one you are writing about? How can it help explain what you are writing about? Is there enough detail in your essay to create a mental image for the reader? Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

Writing a Descriptive Essay Put the letter of the correct term in the blank in front of its meaning.

A

descriptive essay

the final paragraph of a descriptive essay. It should restate the thesis of the essay and summarize the points made by the writer.

B

topic sentence

the first paragraph of a descriptive essay. It should grab the reader’s attention and state what the essay will be about.

2

C

thesis sentence

an essay whose purpose is to describe or portray something, someone, or some place with enough detail to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written about.

3

the second, third, and fourth paragraphs of a descriptive essay. Each paragraph should discuss one or more of the points stated by the writer in the thesis statement.

4

adjectives that answer “What kind is it? How many are there? Which one is it?

5

should grab your reader’s attention. It is usually the first sentence in a paragraph.

6

states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after reading your essay. It is usually the second or third sentence in the introduction.

7

D E F G

2.

introduction

body

conclusion

describing words

1

Circle every adjective in each sentence. The number at the end of the sentence tells how many adjectives it contains. a) It was a dark and stormy night. (2) b) I have two brothers and four sisters. (2) c) The shaggy dog ran after the fluffy cat. (2) d) He drove a red car with black seats. (2) e) Dad gave me ten dollars and fifteen cents. (2) 107

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Reading Passage

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Writing a Descriptive Essay All descriptive essays: 1. present one, clear picture in the reader’s mind; 2. can be objective or subjective; and 3. have one purpose which is to help the reader visualize the things that are being described. Therefore, it is necessary for all descriptive essays to contain a number of descriptive words and phrases. The first paragraph in your descriptive essay is the introduction. This paragraph should have four or five powerful sentences that introduce the topic you are describing to your readers. The first sentence of your introductory paragraph is your chance to grab your readers’ attention. One way to do this is to make a general statement about your topic. For example, if your topic is your favorite season of the year, you might say: “Every summer I come down with a strange illness called “outside-itis.” This sentence will be your topic sentence. It grabs your readers’ attention and lets them know that the paragraph is going to be about spring. The topic sentence is the first sentence in your introductory paragraph. The thesis statement follows the topic sentence in the introductory paragraph. Remember that topic or grabber sentences catch the reader’s eye and tell what the paragraph is about. A thesis sentence goes a bit further. A thesis sentence states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after reading your essay. In our essay about your favorite season of the year, the thesis sentence could be, “Each of my senses is filled up with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings of summer.” The sentence following the thesis sentence should give more information about it, and the fourth and fifth sentences should summarize your thoughts and transition to the next paragraph. The second, third, and fourth paragraphs of a descriptive essay are the body of your writing. In our seasons essay, each paragraph could describe how spring affects one or more of your five senses. The last paragraph of a descriptive essay is the conclusion. In it, you should restate the thesis sentence of your first paragraph, “Each of my senses is filled up with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings of summer,” and then summarize all the reasons you have presented for loving summer. 108

The Writing Watch Dog says,

“Here are some important tips to remember about writing descriptive essays: 1. Take time to brainstorm. 2. Choose your words carefully. 3. Use vivid, colorful language. 4. Use your five senses! 5. Clearly describe your thoughts to your readers. 6. Leave your reader with a clear impression of what you think. 7. Be organized!

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Writing a Descriptive Essay 1.

Use the descriptive essay prompt, “My Favorite Hobby” and write a topic sentence, two or three supporting sentences, and a summary sentence for each paragraph on the Essay Map below. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH # 1 Topic Sentence Thesis Statement

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH # 2 Topic Sentence

Support Support Support Support INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH # 3 Topic Sentence

Support Support Support Support INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH # 4 Topic Sentence

Support Support Support Support CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH # 5 Topic Sentence

Support Support Support Support 109

Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

Before You Read

...................

What is a Narrative Essay? 1.

Choose the correct term or phrase to complete each statement. narrative essay

action verbs “be” verbs sequence “mind movie” powerful

sensory

a) “Is, am, were, was, are, be, being, and been” are all

.

b) An essay that tells about the writer’s experiences and is written in the form of a story is called a . c) When events are written about in the order they happened we say they are written in . d) A good way to plan a narrative essay is to project a in the mind of your listener or reader. e) Words that help your readers picture what the characters are doing in your essay are called . f)

Words that appeal to the reader’s five senses are called words.

g) A narrative essay should have many

2.

verbs in it.

Circle the action verbs in the following sentences. (Some sentences may have more than one action verb.) a) The horse galloped across the grass. b) The kids dodged the ball and raced inside the school. c) The fire crackled in the basement in a pile of rags. d) Soldiers marched by the people and saluted them. e) Casey sings in the chorus at school. f) I twisted and turned in the chair for ten minutes. g) Ben raced to the store. h) The alarm clock buzzed like a bumblebee and startled us awake. 110

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What is a Narrative Essay? You have already learned that a narrative essay tells about the writer’s experiences and is written in the form of a story. A narrative essay can also be based on someone else’s experiences and can be fact or fiction. Many of the greatest books of all time are written as narrative essays. You should follow the five steps of the writing process as you plan and write a narrative essay. Your first actions in writing a narrative essay should be to: 1. Identify the experience that you want to write about; 2. Think about why the experience will be important to your audience; 3. Spend time thinking about the details of the experience; and 4. Create an outline of the basic parts of the narrative essay’s contents. When you write a narrative essay you will tell about events in the order that they happened. An excellent way to write a narrative essay is to pretend that you are describing a movie to a friend. Your goal is to have your friend see a “mind movie” in his head. Think of all the details that you need to add to make the movie clear and sensible. You can’t just say, “They got into a large rocket ship.” You might say, “Dad and Mom ran up the stairway of a huge, silver spaceship with alien-looking symbols drawn on its sides.” Two very good graphic organizers to use during the prewriting for a narrative essay are the Storyboard and the Skeleton Plan. Another very important tip to remember when you compose a narrative essay is to use strong verbs. You recall that a verb is a part of speech that shows action or state-of-being. “State-of-being” verbs are any forms of the word, “be” – is, am, were, was, are, be, being, been.” “State-of-being” verbs are verbs that state that something IS. “State-of-being” verbs are NOT powerful verbs. In fact, one author says that, “BE verbs are boring!” Always try to limit the number of “be” verbs you use in your essays. Action verbs describe the action or behavior of somebody or something. Words such as “giggled”, “screamed”, “raced”, “tiptoed”, and “whispered” are all action verbs. Action verbs keep your audience interested in your writing and help them see the story in their minds. “Show, don’t tell” is advice that every good writer should follow. The objective of writing a narrative essay is to make the reader feel as if he is seeing the story unfold before him. Good writers use action and dialog to show what a character is thinking, saying, and doing. Showing can be done by: 1. writing scenes; 2. describing the actions of the characters; 3. revealing character through dialog; and 4. using the The Writing Watch Dog says, five senses when possible. “Rather than just telling your Finally, a narrative essay will almost always communicate a central main idea or a lesson learned readers what happens, use by one or more main characters. A narrative essay vivid details and descriptions to is not just a retelling of the events in someone’s life. recreate the experience for them.” A narrative story teaches a lesson or makes a very important point. 111

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What is a Narrative Essay? 1._

A narrative essay tells a story. Using the narrative prompt, “The Day When I Stood Up for My Beliefs”, fill in the Skeleton Plan graphic Organizer. You may need to use another sheet of paper if you run out of room. Think about who would enjoy hearing or reading this essay. What is your purpose? In what order did the day’s event progress?

SKELETON PLAN Topic?

Audience?

Purpose?

Format?

QUESTIONS

ANSWERS

DETAILS

What happened first?

What happened second?

2.

Put an X in front of the narrative essay prompts. a) Think of a day in your life when everything seemed to be going wrong. Tell about it. b) Describe your favorite room in your house. c) What is one of the funniest things that has ever happened to you? Retell the event as completely as you can. d) The school board of your district is considering making the school day longer by adding an extra hour. Your job is to write an essay either for or against this idea. e) Suppose one day you found a flying carpet. Write an essay telling what happened.

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Writing a Narrative Essay 1.

Use the narrative essay prompt below to help you fill in the outline. You will need to use a copy of the Simple Outline Graphic Organizer that is included in this book for your work. NARRATIVE ESSAY PROMPT You and your mother are home alone when suddenly a tornado is spotted coming toward your house. Tell about your experience.

Title of Your Essay___________________________________________________________________ Introduction (first paragraph) -“Grab” your audience’s attention (first sentence) ____________________________________ -Thesis statement (second or third statement) ________________________________________ -Introduce supporting ideas (fourth or fifth sentence) _ ________________________________ Body of Essay (paragraphs 2, 3, &4) First Supporting Idea (second paragraph) -Topic sentence (first sentence)_ _____________________________________________________ -Discussion & ideas (next two or three sentences) _____________________________________ -Transition to next paragraph (last sentence) _ ________________________________________ Second Supporting Idea (third paragraph) -Topic sentence (first sentence)_ _____________________________________________________ -Discussion & ideas (next two or three sentences) _____________________________________ -Transition to next paragraph (last sentence) _ ________________________________________ Third Supporting Idea (fourth paragraph) -Topic sentence (first sentence)_ _____________________________________________________ -Discussion & ideas (next two or three sentences) _____________________________________ -Transition to next paragraph (last sentence) _ ________________________________________ Conclusion (fifth paragraph) - Transition, statement reflecting back on thesis (first sentence)_________________________ - Restate key points (second, third & fourth sentences)_________________________________ - Ending statement that summarizes or provokes thought (fifth sentence)_______________ 113

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Writing a Narrative Essay Narrative essays often are about the personal experiences of the writer. These experiences are presented to the reader in story form. Good narrative essays are well-developed. That means that they are easy to understand and have enough details. Below are some ways to write a welldeveloped narrative essay: When you begin prewriting activities for a narrative essay, be sure that it has Ways to Write a Well-Developed Essay a unified purpose or that the essay 1. Use examples and illustrations is about only one main topic. All the 2. Use anecdotes (short stories related to the topic) sentences in all of the paragraphs must 3. Use what people say relate to that one purpose or topic. 4. Define words Always try to keep this in mind as you 5. Describe the topic brainstorm, outline, or list. 6. Look at causes and effects Another of the most important goals 7. Compare and Contrast in drafting a narrative essay is to make 8. Tell the order in which events happened sure that you get all your ideas down on paper in some kind of sequential order. There are several good graphic organizers to help you with sequential order as you write your narrative essay. A Timeline Graphic Organizer and a Hierarchy Chart are two very good ones. The best way to learn to write a good narrative essay is to do just that – write one! Below you will find some very good tips about writing a good narrative essay: • Begin the introductory paragraph of the essay with a general statement about the topic. • Be sure to give details about the people and events in the essay. Using a Word Picture Chart will help you include descriptive language. A great way to make sure that you include all the details you need for a colorful, interesting essay is to plan before you write. • Each of the body paragraphs should relate back to the main topic in the first paragraph. Remember The Writing Watch Dog says, that a narrative essay is basically a story. “Writing a narrative essay is as • The final paragraph is the conclusion. It should easy as writing a story!” restate the main topic that was introduced in the introduction. 114

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Writing a Narrative Essay 1.

Fill in each blank with a word or phrase from the lesson. a) A narrative essay tells a

.

b) Many times, a narrative essay includes the personal the writer.

of

c) Well developed narrative essays are easy to

have lots of

and

.

d) A good narrative essay has a

purpose which means

that the essay is about

main topic.

e) Usually, the events in a narrative essay are presented in order or the order in which they happened.

2.

One way to make your essay more interesting is to use sensory words. You learned that sensory words are words used to describe the five senses: seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and touching. A good guide to help you think of sensory words to use is the Word Picture Organizer. Use the same narrative prompt, “You and your mother are home alone when suddenly a tornado is spotted coming toward your house”. Tell about your experience, and fill out the following Word Picture Organizer. SIGHTS

SOUNDS

_TASTES

SMELLS

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TEXTURES

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS

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What is an Informative Essay? 1.

Put an “I” in front of each informative essay title. a) The Story of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox b) The Causes of the Civil War c) Why You Should Vote for Tim Hall for Class President d) The Animals of Australia e) A Report about Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

2.

Use the informative prompt, “Animals in My State”, and complete this KWL organizer.

K What I Know

W What I Want to Learn

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L What I Have Learned

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What is an Informative Essay? The next kind of essay we will study is called an Informative or an Expository Essay. Don’t let the word “expository” scare you. An expository essay is simply the explanation of a subject. An expository essay is fact-based, not opinion-based. Very often, you will need to do research in the library or online. When you write an expository essay you will need to give information, explain the topic, or define something. Sometimes, expository essays are called reports or research papers. You will be asked to write an informative or expository essay for one or more of the following reasons: 1. to explain a process step-by-step; 2. to analyze events, ideas, written works, or objects; 3. to tell how to do something; or 4. to explain or describe a historical event. You may get to choose the topic of your informative essay or your teacher might assign a topic to you. Either way, be sure that your topic is not too broad. Suppose you wanted to write about Los Angeles, California. It is a very large city and also a very broad topic. Perhaps, it might be easier to write about one part of the city such as the movie studios. A KWL Organizer will help you narrow your topic and decide which parts to include in your informative essay. A KWL Organizer asks you to list what you already know about the topic, what you want to know about the topic, and what you have already learned about the topic. An informative essay is set up exactly like the descriptive and narrative essays are. The first paragraph introduces the main topic while the second, third, and fourth tell more about it. Finally, the fifth paragraph restates the purpose of the paper and concludes with a summary of all the facts about the topic. The Writing Watch Dog says, The 3-2-1 Planner is a graphic organizer that “Keep in mind that an expository helps you gather all your information for an essay is one that: informative essay. The “3-2-1” stands for three key 1. explains a subject ideas, two details for each idea, all in one topic. 2. tells the steps of a process The 3-2-1 Planner helps you organize your essay into 3. presents ideas in logical order three parts (beginning, middle, and end) and plan or correct sequence two details for each part. Using this planner will help The key words in an expository you make sure that all the information you need for essay prompt will be “explain” your essay is included and that you have left out or “tell how”. any unrelated information.

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What is an Informative Essay?

Sometimes, you will need to write an informative essay to tell someone how to do something. Use the prompt, “Getting ready for a two-week vacation”, and complete the Steps in a Process Organizer below. Steps in a Process First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

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Writing an Informative Essay 1.

Circle the correct term to complete each statement. a) An essay that presents information about a particular topic is called a(an) persuasive essay

narrative essay

informative essay

descriptive essay

b) Each informative essay should begin with a capital letter

thesis statement

body paragraph

. conclusion paragraph

c) Before you write an informative essay, you should develop a(an) all the important facts that must be included in it. alphabetical list

outline

.

of

graphic organizer full of

d) An informative essay presents many facts to the reader. It is very important for the writer to document the of all the facts included in an informative essay. pictures

2.

sources

locations in the library

A report about a famous person is a great example of an informative essay. Use the Biography Chart below to develop an outline about the life of Albert Einstein.

Biography about: Famous because: Birthplace: Early Life: Education Major Life Events: Other Information: Quote: Research sources: 119

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Writing an Informative Essay An informative or expository essay is written to present facts about a topic. Book reports, biographies, and research reports are all types of informative essays. Informative essays are most often written to: 1. to explain a process step-by-step; 2. to analyze events, ideas, written works, or objects; 3. to tell how to do something; or 4. to explain or describe a historical event. As with all essays, the first step in the writing process is prewriting. During the prewriting period, you should complete your research, record your sources of information, and make an outline of the important points you want to make in the essay. There are several good graphic organizers to use that will help you organize your ideas before you begin writing. The next step in writing an informative essay is drafting or putting your thoughts down as sentences and paragraphs. Your essay should have five or more paragraphs. The first paragraph is the introduction. It begins with a good topic sentence that “grabs” your reader’s attention. Suppose your teacher asked you to write an informative essay about George Washington. Your topic sentence might be “The United States has had over forty presidents, but I believe that the first one was the best!” This is a good way of getting your reader’s attention. The next sentence should be the thesis statement that should tell the main idea of the entire essay, such as, “George Washington was better qualified to lead the United States than anyone who has come after him.” The next three sentences in the introduction should introduce three main points about George Washington such as, “Washington was especially well-educated in the theories of government. He was an excellent military leader. His main hope for the future was that the 13 colonies would become free from English rule.” Finally, the last sentence should lead into the next paragraph. The next three paragraphs are called the body of the informative essay. In each paragraph, you should choose one of the three main points you mentioned in the introduction paragraph and discuss it. For example, “Washington was especially welleducated in the theories of government.” could be the topic sentence for paragraph # 2. Each paragraph relates back to the thesis statement, “George Washington was better qualified to lead the United States than anyone who has come after him.” Finally, the fifth paragraph should be the conclusion. Its topic sentence could be a restatement of the topic sentence of the introduction, “For these reasons, history has proven that George Washington was the best man ever to be president of the United States.” The next three sentences should be concluding remarks about Washington and the last sentence should be a restatement of the thesis sentence. The Introduction Triangle and the Body Block graphic organizers on the following page will help illustrate how an informative essay is written. 120

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Writing an Informative Essay 1.

Write an introduction to an informative essay about Charlotte’s Web.

Introduction Triangle Introduction 1. (“Hook the Reader”) 2. (Thesis statement) 3. (Main ideas) 4. 5. 6. (Closing – Transition)

Body Block

Now write the body paragraphs using the hints that have been provided:

Paragraph # 2: This book is a story about a girl named Fern and a pig named Wilbur. Paragraph # 3: However, the most important friend Wilbur would ever have was a simple gray spider named Charlotte. Paragraph # 4: Charlotte alone had the power to save Wilbur’s life.

Conclusion Triangle Final Paragraph Summary Statements – One or two sentences. Who would have thought that the runt in the litter would be “Some Pig” and “Radiant”? Closing statement.

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What is a Persuasive Essay? 1.

Circle each persuasive essay prompt below. a) Teachers should assign at least two hours of homework to each student every day. b) All violent television programs should be taken off the air immediately. c) Describe the best vacation you ever had. d) Tell why someone in your family deserves a $25,000 award for their hard work. e) Write a story about the first astronauts to land on a Mars space station.

Answer each question with a complete sentence.

2.

What is the purpose of a persuasive essay?

3.

What is the difference between a narrative essay and a persuasive essay?

4.

What do you think “pro” and “con” mean?

5.

Make a list of five problems that you would like to convince others to help you solve. a) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ b) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ c) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ d) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ e) _ _____________________________________________________________________________

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What is a Persuasive Essay? The purpose of a persuasive essay is to change your readers’ minds and make them think like you do about a topic. The first step in prewriting a persuasive essay is planning. Your planning should include: 1. choosing a topic; gathering information about the topic; and using a graphic organizer to map out the structure of the persuasive essay. When you choose a topic for your persuasive essay, you will have to decide how you feel about the issue that is being discussed. One good way to do this is to complete a Pro and Con T-Chart. “Pro” means that you agree with a statement or that you are for an action, while “con” means that you disagree with a statement or that you disagree with an action. You will find a Pro and Con T-Chart on the following page. As you prepare to write a persuasive essay, you will find that you need to study both sides of the issue being considered if you hope to make people believe as you do about the topic. The Pro and Con T-Chart is one good way to consider both sides. Another is using a Five Finger Planner. You may use the Five Finger Planner graphic organizer that comes with this book or you may want to trace the outline of your own hand. On the palm of the hand outline, write the “pro” side of the question being considered. Then on each finger write one reason why people should be “pro” or for this statement. If you are going to convince your audience to be “con” or against an issue, write “con” on the palm of the hand outline and then write one reason why your audience should be against the question being considered on each finger. You will find a shortened version of the five finger planner on the following page. When you begin to write a persuasive essay it is especially important that you make sure all the facts you use are correct! Even though you will be trying to change someone’s feelings about an issue, you must always use the facts of the matter as your tools. Using doubtful or untrue information in order to persuade people to change their minds is the same as telling them a lie. Be careful to be truthful when you write persuasive essays. Of course, you should always include your own feelings about the topic and then try to persuade your audience to believe as you do.

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The Writing Watch Dog says, “When you write a persuasive essay, you are trying to make the audience think like you do about a topic or question.”

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What is a Persuasive Essay? 1.

Using the question, “Should two hours be added to the school day schedule?”, list its “pros” and “cons”.

Pro and Con T-Chart QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED Should two hours be added to the school day schedule?

Pros

Cons

2. Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) The writer tries to change the audience’s minds in a descriptive essay.



True

False

b) One of the first things to do when you are preparing to write a persuasive essay is to choose a good topic.



True

False

c) It is not very important to study both sides of the issue or topic before you begin writing a persuasive essay.



True

False

d) Politicians often present persuasive essays and speeches in an effort to make the audience vote for them.



True

False

e) The truth should not be a major concern of yours when you write a persuasive essay.



True

False 124

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Writing a Persuasive Essay 1.

Put the letter of the correct term in the blank in front of its meaning.

A

persuasive essay

the first three paragraphs that follow the introductory paragraph.

1

B

topic sentence

The last paragraph in a persuasive essay.

2

C

thesis statement

An essay written to change your readers’ minds and make them think like you do about a topic.

3

D

introductory paragraph

The second or third sentence in the introductory paragraph. It identifies the purpose of the essay or previews its main ideas

4

The first sentence in a paragraph. It usually “grabs” the reader’s attention in some way.

5

The first paragraph in a persuasive essay. It introduces the topic and gives the reader an idea about the content of the essay.

6

E F

2.

body paragraphs conclusion or summary paragraph

Use the “Here’s What I Think…” graphic organizer below to plan the introductory paragraph of a persuasive essay using the prompt, “Kids do NOT spend too much time watching television!” Here’s What I Think… Introduction - Position Statement Thesis Statement Reasons Closing/Transitions:

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Writing a Persuasive Essay Now it is time to write a persuasive essay about an issue or problem that you’d like to solve. Many times, a persuasive essay poses a question which must be answered. Your job is to get your audience to choose the answer you believe is best. As you get ready to write your persuasive essay, the graphic organizer entitled, “Pick a Problem” may be helpful to you. This graphic organizer asks you to identify a problem that needs to be solved and then asks several questions about the problem such as, “What is wrong? What should change?; “What should be done now?”; “What can be done over time?”; “How can you get others to join in?”; “What good things might come of your plan?”; and “What might go wrong?” You will get a chance to use the “Pick a Problem” organizer later in this chapter. The first paragraph in your essay is called the introduction or introductory paragraph. It should have four or five powerful sentences that introduce your topic to your audience. The first sentence of a persuasive essay should be your “attention-getting” sentence. This is your chance to grab your audience’s attention. You might do this with a general statement about the issue you have chosen. The second sentence of a persuasive essay’s introduction should narrow the first sentence or give more information about your topic. The third sentence of a persuasive essay’s introduction should state your feelings about the topic or question. This is your thesis statement. The fourth sentence should outline your reasons for believing as you do. And the fifth sentence of a persuasive essay’s introduction should summarize your thesis and transition to the next paragraph. The next three paragraphs are called the body of your persuasive paragraph. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that refers back to one of the reasons you believe as you do about the issue you are discussing. The following sentences give you an opportunity to present your evidence or proof of what you are saying is true and needed at this time. The fifth paragraph is called the conclusion paragraph. The first sentence should refer back to your thesis statement in paragraph # 1. The following three sentences should summarize the body paragraphs you have written and the last sentence should be a restatement or rewording of the topic sentence of paragraph # 1. An outline of a persuasive paragraph should look like this: 1. Body – Supporting Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences (3) Transition/conclusion 2. Body – Supporting Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences (3) Transition/conclusion

3. Body – Supporting Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences (3) Transition/conclusion 4. Conclusion Paragraph Transition into the conclusion by restating Thesis/ Position Statement Summarize your body paragraphs: Final “clincher” sentence that leaves the reader satisfied with your argument.

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Writing a Persuasive Essay 1.

Use the Persuasive Essay Outline below to compose a persuasive essay using the following prompt. You and your classmates want to visit a special amusement park on a field trip. Write a persuasive essay telling your teacher the reasons why visiting this park on a field trip would be a great idea. Try to convince your teacher to accept your choice.

Persuasive Essay Outline Essay Title ________________________________________________________________________ Introduction - Position Statement Thesis Statement:_________________________________________________________________ Reasons (3):______________________________________________________________________ Closing/Transition:_______________________________________________________________ Body – Supporting Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence___________________________________________________________________ Supporting Sentences (3)_ _______________________________________________________ Transition/conclusion_ ___________________________________________________________ Body – Supporting Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence___________________________________________________________________ Supporting Sentences (3)_ _______________________________________________________ Transition/conclusion_ ___________________________________________________________ Body – Supporting Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence___________________________________________________________________ Supporting Sentences (3)_ _______________________________________________________ Transition/conclusion_ ___________________________________________________________ Conclusion Paragraph Transition into the conclusion by restating Thesis/ Position Statement____________ Summarize your body paragraphs:_______________________________________________ Final “clincher” sentence that leaves the reader satisfied with your argument:___

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Revising, Proofreading and Editing Fill in each blank with a complete sentence.

1.

What is the third step in the writing process?

2.

Describe what it means to proofread something you have written.

3.

What are the three parts of revision?

4.

Why do you think that “rest” is the first stage of proofreading?

5.

Proofread the following paragraph and see if you can find 20 mistakes in it. Circle each mistake. Then rewrite the paragraph on the lines below. The christmas surprise Last christmas was the best hollyday that i ever had? all of my famly were together in one place for the first tim in yers. Dad was werking on a pressent for Mom and me in the grage. My bother, Jim, was home on leaf from the Army. Grandpa and Grandma was coming to see us on Christmas day. it don’t matter how meny presents you get, love is the most special present of all. Haveing everone heer in one house made this the best holiday ever!

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Revising, Proofreading and Editing When you have finished drafting an essay it is time for you to begin the revision process. Revision is the third step in the writing process and simply means, “to look at again”. Revision has three parts – 1. rest; 2. reread; and 3. make changes. “Rest” means that you should leave the essay alone for several hours or even a day before you begin the reviewing process. When it is time to look at the essay again, you can reread it silently or even reread it aloud. Look for any changes that need to be made in the wording, capitalization, punctuation, and meaning. You may also need to add or change some words around when you reread. Finally, go ahead and make the changes that need to be made. The Revision Checklist below is an excellent tool to use when you revise an essay: Revision Checklist

Yes

1. Have you stated the main idea or thesis in your introduction? 2. Did you follow the directions in your writing prompt? 3. Are your paragraphs clear and on topic? 4. Did you write a good introduction paragraph? 5. Have you written a good conclusion paragraph? 6. Is the essay organized well? 7. Did you use transitions between the paragraphs? 8. Did you “grab” or “hook” the reader in the introduction? 9. Did the conclusion paragraph restate the thesis? 10. Does each paragraph in the body address one of the main ideas you listed in the introduction?

____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

No

____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________

____________

____________

Now comes the time when you will be looking for even the tiniest mistakes in your essay. Proofreading and editing are fourth steps in the writing process. Proofreading means that you reread your writing to look very carefully for any mistakes that you’ve made in spelling, punctuation, word choice, or sentence choice. You may even want to ask someone else to proofread your essay for you. However you decide to proofread, the final goal is the fifth step in the writing process which is to have a perfect essay to present to your teacher or your audience.

The Writing Watch Dog says, “Be sure to follow these Proofreading Pointers!” 1. Check for correct spelling. Use a dictionary if a word doesn’t look right. 2. Check for correct use of capital letters. Always begin a sentence with a capital letter.

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3. Check for correct punctuation including periods, commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks. 4. Check for correct word choice. 5. Make sure that the subject and predicate agree in number.

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Revising, Proofreading and Editing 1.

Circle the correct answer in each sentence. a) (Its) (It’s) time for lunch. b) I’m afraid (its) (it’s) going to be a long trip in the car with my baby brother. c) (Its) (It’s) five o’clock and no one is here! d) (They’re) (There) (Their) going on vacation next month with (they’re) (there) (their) grandparents. e) I looked and looked and (they’re) (there) (their) it was. f) Mom and Dad said (they’re) (there) (their) bringing home a surprise.

2.

Add the correct punctuation or capitalization to each sentence. a) alex and sam read how to eat fried worms by thomas rockwell. b) i met kim while I was staying at the grand hotel in michigan. c) dr. jones said, “you’ll be fine if you and joey don’t get into any more fights!” d) We bought milk eggs bacon and bread at the store. e) Sam can you help me with this package? f) Kwan lives in Saratoga New York. g) My grandmother’s favorite song is Rock Around the Clock.

3.

Circle the correct word in each sentence. a) (Whos) (Who’s) at the door? b) She (couldn’t) (couldnt) hear her (childrens) (children’s) cries for help. c) The (woman’s) (womans’) coats hung in the hall closet d) I (won’t) (wont) know about my grade until the mail comes. e) The boys (work) (works) on the project every day. f) We (learn) (learns) about English grammar in our class. g) Mr. Hill and Ms. Long (teach) (teaches) fourth grade at our school.

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WritinG Task #

1

................... You are holding a family photograph. As you look at the photograph you are suddenly transported back into the time and setting of the picture. Describe the picture and explain the interesting things that happened on the day the picture was taken.

WritinG Task #

2

................... More and more violence is being seen on television programs each year. Many people believe that this violence is harmful to children. They want to take all the violent programs including cartoons, off the air. Decide what you think about taking violent programs off the air. Then write a five paragraph essay about your thoughts. Remember that you are trying to convince your readers to think as you do about this topic.

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WritinG Task # 3

................... Think about where people live. People live in small towns, large towns, or even big cities. Some people live on farms or in houses in the country. Think about where it is best to live and why. Choose the one place where you would like to live and write a persuasive essay giving reasons why you think it is the best.

WritinG Task # 4

................... Each year millions of tourists visit Florida. Before you begin writing, think about Florida as a place to go on vacation. Now write to explain why Florida is a popular place to go on vacation.

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WritinG Task # 5

................... Think about the last time you attended a special event such as a concert, a fair, or a sports event. Write a descriptive essay telling what it was like to be there and include sights, sounds, and smells that will make the reader feel he or she is there with you.

WritinG Task #

6

................... If you had one thousand dollars to spend, how would you spend it? Would you buy something, save it, share it…? What is the very best thing you could do with one thousand dollars? Explain your choice in a five-paragraph essay with three reasons, and include specific details, examples, and explanations to support your argument.

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Crossword Word List adjectives biography brainstorming drafting expository graphic informative narrative objective outline paragraph prewriting prompt proofreading pros publishing reports revision verb

1 2

3

5

4

6

7

8

9 10

11

13

14

12

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Across 5. 6. 7. 8. 10.

13. 15. 16. 18. 19.

An essay that presents 19 information about a topic A type of informative essay The first steps in the writing process Words that describe nouns A way of coming up with ideas by recording your words and thoughts organizers The third step in the writing process A collection of sentences about the same main topic A plan for writing is an A type of descriptive essay

Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 9. 11. 12. 14. 17.

Another name for an informative essay The fourth step in the writing process The fifth step in the writing process Book The second step in the writing process An essay that tells a story A suggested topic for an essay or story and cons A part of speech that shows action or state-ofbeing

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NAME:

After You Read

...................

Word Search Find the following key words from the story. The words are written horizontally, vertically, diagonally and some are even backwards. adjectives brainstorming drafting essay expository

graphic narrative objective organizers outline

paragraph persuasive prompts pros and cons reports

revising thesis verbs

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Comprehension Quiz 1.

In complete sentences, describe how a paragraph and an essay are related.

2.

In complete sentences, describe the parts of an essay.

3.

List the five steps in the writing process.

32 7

a) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ b) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ c) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ d) _ _____________________________________________________________________________ e) _ _____________________________________________________________________________

4. Circle the word True if the statement is true. Circle the word False if it’s false. a) A paragraph is a collection of sentences about the same topic.



True

False

b) Brainstorming is part of the drafting step in writing.



True

False

c) Prompts are suggested topics for essays.



True

False

d) A sensory chart is a graphic organizer that lists all the steps in a process in the order they happened.



True

False

e) A persuasive essay is one that describes something.



True

False

f) A sequence chart lists the details of the sights, tastes, smells, touches, and sounds of a topic.



True

False

g) The purpose of an informative essay is to show, tell, or review.



True

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SUBTOTAL:

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

NAME:

After You Read

...................

Comprehension Quiz 4.

Identify each essay type by placing an I before each informative prompt, a P before each persuasive prompt, an N before each narrative prompt, and a D before each descriptive prompt.

10

a) write about the insects in Australia b) write about the best birthday you ever had. c) write about why you believe there should be a three day school week. d) describe your favorite kind of ice cream e) should boys and girls go to separate schools f) What is your favorite time of year? g) If I Were an Astronaut h) Should your family move to a new city? i) The Causes of the Civil War j) The Story of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox

5.

Circle the adjectives (describing words) in each sentence below:

8

a) Cass was wearing her ugly, green coat. (2) b) I saw a shiny penny in the grass. (1) c) That was the best cake I ever ate! (1) d) Seven aliens tiptoed from the spaceship. (1) e) Trevor read twenty-two books last summer. (1) f) That is the worst game I’ve ever played. (1) g) Marie is a sad girl. (1) h) I love to brush my beautiful red hair! (2)

SUBTOTAL: 137

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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b), d) and g)

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e) Persuasive

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c) Persuasive

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g) choosing a focus for writing

f) identify your audience

e) Free-writing, clustering, and listing

d) graphic organizer

c) general to specific

b) brainstorming

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f) b. earth, c. United States, d. my state, e. my town, f. my street, and g. my house

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20

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5. Sensory Chart

4. Timeline

3. Cause & Effect Chart

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2. 5 W’s chart

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a) the first step in the writing process b) putting thoughts on paper as sentences c) the sentence stating the main idea of the paragraph d) three or four sentences that support the main idea e) the last sentence in a paragraph that restates the main idea f) the reason for writing g) the people who read or hear a person’s writing h) a process or steps toward a goal i) a chart or graph that helps the writer organize information about a topic j) Putting thoughts on paper as sentences for the first time.

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i) P j) P

d) P e) D f) D g) P h) D

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3. A graphic organizer that arranges ideas by their importance.

2. A graphic organizer that arranges the ideas as they happened.

1. A graphic organizer that arranges ideas as main topic, supporting details, and closing sentence.

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f) drafting

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c) Taylor came to school today, but he didn’t do his homework.

b) Pedro bought five new pens, but he lost three of them.

a) Ken forgot his lunch so he called his mother.

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c) The new girl wearing a big hair bow will sit in this desk.

b) The tall boy with red hair led the band.

a) I began loading the laundry that was piled on the floor.

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39

A Day At The Beach My family and I went to the beach last week. We stayed at a big hotel. (Needs subject) was very nice. The ocean was right outside our window. Katie and I swam. (We) picked up shells and talked all day. At night we watched movies with our parents. I think the ocean and the beach are the best places for a good holiday!

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41

r) because

q) were

p) Christmas

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k) decided

j) thought

i) clothes

h) maybe

g) school

f) except

e) believe

d) write

c) caught

b) favorite

a) excited

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b) its

a) It’s

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Gradually back and front legs form. The tail disappears. Finally lungs form in the young frog. Then it can no longer breathe in water. It must breathe in the air. The frog is then an adult. The adult female lays eggs and the life cycle starts again.

The frog’s eggs are laid in water. The eggs have a jellylike covering and look like a mass of jelly in the water. Young frogs hatch from the eggs. A young frog, which looks like a small fish, is called a tadpole. Like fish, tadpoles have tails and breathe air from the water in which they live.

Many young animals start life looking like their parents. Some do not. Frogs don’t look anything like their parents when they are small. In each stage of growth they grow to be more like their parents.

2.

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Whales make many kinds of sounds, including trills, whistles, moans, and squeals. Whistles seem to be used for “talking” with other whales. Whales are amazing animals!

Whales usually dive on a full breath of air. The air in their lungs is pressed down by the weight of the sea as they dive. When they dive, they use less oxygen by sending it to vital organs such as their brains, hearts, and lungs where it is needed most. Sperm whales are super divers. They often dive more than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) deep for more then one hour!

Whales make sounds that travel in the water. The sound waves bounce off an object and then return to the whales as echoes. By doing this, the whales can find food or avoid predators. Research has proven that the sounds come from deep inside the whales’ heads, not from their throats like other mammals. The sounds come from air passing through their noses.

Whales come in many sizes. They all have smooth skin, flippers, and flat tails that push them through the water. They give birth and nurse their young in the water. Their noses and ears are suited to life in the water. They have great vision and large brains.

1.

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accept any reasonable reply

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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15. prewriting

16. exclamation

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How to Write a Paragraph CC1100

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diagram

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5. audience

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j) illustrator

i) author

h) conclusion

g) body

f) characters

e) plot

d) setting

c) theme

b) introduction

a) book report

1.

H F I A D E B J

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j) historical fact stories

i) science fiction

h) biographies

g) mystery

f) fairy tales, fantasy

e) adventure

d) nature

c) nonfiction

b) fiction

a) fiction, nonfiction

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g) adventure

f) fairy tales

e) family

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b) Story Map

a) Sequence Chart

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e) copyright date

d) story map

c) characters

b) sequence chart

a) graphic organizers

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3. Sequence Chart

2. Character Comparison Map

1. Story Map

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3. Story Map

2. Book Report for Independent Reading

1. Fiction Book Report

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a), d) and e)

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i) I

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

B

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i) B

h) I

g) B

f)

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d) I

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k) dressing as a book character

j) pacing

i) video

h) notes

g) conversational

f) visual aids

e) eye contact

d) transitions

c) audience profile

a) oral

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c) A

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b) I

2. A

1. C

b) rehearse

a) A

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j) informative, biography, autobiography

i) setting

h) author

g) character

f) indented

e) quotation marks

d) subject, predicate

c) punctuation

b) capital letter

a) proofreading

84

Will Olaf’s evil plot win out? Or will these three crafty kids outwit him? If you’re not afraid of a little misery and a whole lot of mischief, then I recommend you read The Bad Beginning and find out for yourself.

I can’t tell you how the story ends, but I can tell you what I enjoyed most about the book. Snicket makes his readers laugh and want to continue reading, even in the most terrible situations. For example, he constantly warns his reader to put down the book because nothing good could possibly come of the orphans’ unfortunate situation. He writes: “It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once…” Of course, Snicket’s warnings only made me even more curious to find out what would become of the family in the end.

The Bad Beginning is a story about the suffering of three orphaned children at the hands of their uncle, Count Olaf. Although Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are the inheritors of a huge fortune, they cannot claim the money until they are older. For now, they must live with Olaf and cook and clean for him and his terrible theater friends. Why would such a cruel character take in three orphans? He wants to steal their fortune, of course.

Do you enjoy happy endings? If so, The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket is a book you’ll want to avoid. This is a story with a bad beginning, a bad middle and a bad ending. Why would anyone want to read such a bad book? It’s all in good fun!

85

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FALSE

FALSE

j)

87

c) 2

b) 1

a) 3

2.

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i)

h) FALSE

g) TRUE

f)

e) TRUE

d) FALSE

c) TRUE

b) TRUE

a) FALSE

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a p h i c d

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11. fantasy

7. book report

6. quotes

5. informative

2. characters

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15. genres

14. title

13. mystery

12. organizer

10. theme

9. introduction

8. Visual

4. setting

3. biography

Across

fiction genres graphic introduction journal

nonfiction oral organizers plot proofread

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i) TRUE

h) FALSE

g) FALSE

f) TRUE

e) TRUE

d) TRUE

c) FALSE

b) FALSE

a) TRUE

6.

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5.

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How to Write a Book Report CC1101

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author body biography book report conclusion

8.

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Accept any reasonable reply

e) form

d) sequence chart

c) body

b) conclusion

a) introduction

7.

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Master Writing - Big Book CC1103

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o) accept any reasonable answer

n) purpose

m) publishing

l) proofreading

k) revising

j) drafting

i) graphic organizers

h) prewriting

g) five

f) conclusion

e) body

d) introduction

c) three

b) five paragraphs

a) essay

1.

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j) purpose

i) prompts

h) publishing

g) drafting

f) revising

e) proofreading

d) prewriting

c) process

b) essay

a) paragraph

1.

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J

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c) FALSE

b) TRUE

a) FALSE

5.

descriptive

4.

to present information about the topic

3.

persuasive

2.

to tell a story

1.

101

3. Informal Outline

2. Order of Importance

1. Chronological Order Chart

103

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2.

f) purpose

e) rough draft

d) informal outline

c) order of importance ladder

b) drafting

a) chronological outline

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106

f) Spider

e) mental picture

d) planning

c) language

b) subjective, objective

a) describe something

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accept any reasonable answers

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104

e) little

d) loud

c) excellent

b) famous

a) favorite

2.

b) and d)

1.

g) raced

d) red, black

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h) buzzed, startled

f) twisted, turned

c) shaggy, fluffy

e) ten, fifteen

e) sings

c) crackled

b) dodged, raced

a) galloped

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g) powerful

f) sensory

e) action verbs

d) mind movie

c) sequence

b) narrative essay

a) “be” verbs

b) two, four

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d) marched, saluted

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a) dark, stormy

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e) sequential or chronological

d) unified, one

c) understand, details

b) memories or ideas

a) story

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b), d) and e)

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d) sources

c) outline

b) thesis statement

a) informative essay

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5.

for and against

4.

A narrative essay tells a story while a persuasive essay tries to change someone’s mind.

3.

to cause other people to change their minds about an issue and to think like the writer thinks.

2.

a), b) and d)

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e) FALSE

d) TRUE

c) FALSE

b) TRUE

a) FALSE

2.

Accept any reasonable answer.

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F A C D B

2 3 4 5 6

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Accept any reasonable answer.

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accept any reasonable responses

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best holiday ever!

here in one house made this the

present of all. Having everyone

get, love is the most special

matter how many presents you

us on Christmas day. It doesn’t

Grandma were coming to see

from the Army. Grandpa and

brother, Jim, was home on leave

Mom and me in the garage. My

Dad was working on a present for

place for the first time in years.

my family was together in one

holiday that I ever had! All of

Last Christmas was the best

The Christmas Surprise

5.

Resting a bit before revising provides “fresh eyes” to look for changes to be made and any mistakes that need to be changed.

4.

rest, read, make changes

3.

looking for any mistakes that have been made

2.

revising

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a) b) c) d) e) f) g)

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Who’s couldn’t, children’s woman’s won’t work learn teach

3.

g) My grandmother’s favorite song is “Rock Around the Clock”.

f) Kwan lives in Saratoga, New York.

e) Sam, can you help me with this package?

d) We bought milk, eggs, bacon, and bread at the store.

c) Dr. Jones said, “You’ll be fine if you and Joey don’t get into any more fights!”

b) I met Kim while I was staying at the Grand Hotel in Michigan.

a) Alex and Sam read How to eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell.

2.

f) they’re

e) there

d) they’re, their

c) It’s

b) it’s

a) It’s

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17. verb

14. pros

12. prompt

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9. drafting

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15. revision

13. graphic

10. brainstorming

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7. prewriting

6. biography

5. informative

Across

graphic narrative objective organizers outline

paragraph persuasive prompts pros and cons reports

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g) TRUE

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d) FALSE

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b) FALSE

a) TRUE

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prewriting drafting revising proofreading publishing

3.

The fifth paragraph is the conclusion.

The first paragraph is the introduction. The second, third, and fourth paragraphs are the body of the essay.

2.

A paragraph is a collection of sentences related to the same topic. An essay is a collection of paragraphs related to the same topic.

How to Write an Essay CC1102

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adjectives brainstorming drafting essay expository

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h) beautiful, red

g) sad

f) worst

e) twenty-two

d) seven

c) best

b) shiny

a) ugly, green

j) N

i) I

h) P

g) N

f) D

e) P

d) D

c) P

b) N

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Who, What, When, Where, Why, How ..................

Graphic organizers are a pictorial way of constructing knowledge and organizing information. They help the student convert and compress a lot of seemingly disjointed information into a structured, simple-to-read, graphic display. The resulting visual display conveys complex information in a simple-to-understand manner. This 5 W’s + H Chart helps students organize all the pertinent information needed for an expository essay.

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is h ap pe

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it

? g) t t i n p l a ce e s ( e ? i s t a ke r e Wh oes th d e re

Main Idea:

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Causes & Consequences for an Effect ..................

Give 2 causes and 1 consequence for each event.

Event 1: You are late for school happens because: because: consequence: consequence:

Event 2: Mom gives you an unexpected gift happens because: because: consequence: consequence: This Cause and Effect graphic organizer assists students in seeing the influence that certain events or actions have on other events or actions.

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General to Specific ..................

This General to Specific graphic organizer helps students categorize various groups of words by showing their relationships with each other. For elementary students, beginning at the most general term (such as “animal”) and narrowing the topic down to a very specific term (“lion”) is usually most effective.

Put the Most General Level Here

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Transition or Linking Words ..................

Some linking words tell you the order of things. You know that the colors of a traffic light are green, yellow, and red. Green means “go” – there is more to come. Yellow means “caution, or slow down”. Red means “stop” or “this is the end”. There are many other words that mean, “go”, “slow down” or “stop”. Review them on the Traffic Light Words List below. Remember that these words are linking or transition words.

Traffic Light Words

Green Light Words

Yellow Light Words

Red Light Words

first

second

ninth

in the beginning

next

finally

firstly

then

last

prior

in the meantime

in conclusion

immediately

during

in the end

today

meanwhile

after

until

afterward subsequently

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Five Finger Planner ..................

A good way to organize your thoughts before you write a narrative or descriptive paragraph is to use a Five Finger Planner. You should put the main topic of your paragraph in the palm of the hand and then add a supporting detail to each fingertip. This will help you see the whole picture that your paragraph is trying to paint.

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T-Chart Graphic Organizer ..................

A T-Chart is exactly what it says, a chart shaped like the letter T. You should write the question you’re considering across the top of the capital T. Then you should write the word “Pros” on the left side of the T and “cons” on the right side of the T. By using this T-Chart you will be able to organize all the details that support your issue or answer “yes” to your question and all the details that are against your issue or answer “no” to your question.

QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED:

PROS

©

CONS

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Author’s Biographical Information ..................

This graphic organizer is a good research tool for students to use. If they use this organizer to gather information about their favorite author’s life, they will have a little something “extra” to include in their book reports. Student name: ______________________________________________________________ Author’s name: _____________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: _ ______________________________________________________________ Place of Birth: _ _____________________________________________________________ Where he/ she lives now: ___________________________________________________ Title and Date of book published: _ _________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Additional Interesting Information about the Author: _______________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Other Books by this Author: _________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

My Evaluation of this Book: _________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Sources of Information: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

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Fiction Book Characterization Organizer ..................

This is a graphic organizer that is designed to be used during the research phase of a student’s book report project. If you want to encourage your students to pay special attention to the author’s methods of characterization in their books, give each one of them a copy of this organizer. It gives just enough direction to enable them to recognize the importance of characterization and setting in a good fiction novel. First and Last name: ________________________________________________________ Date: _ ______________________________________________________________________ Title of Book: __ ______________________________________________________________ Author: _ ____________________________________________________________________

Describe one change in the main character’s personality from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel; include examples of what the character says and does to demonstrate the change: ________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

What has the main character learned about him/herself or others from his/her experiences in the novel? Include details from the novel to support your response. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Describe the setting in detail and include examples from the text to support your response. How is the setting important to the development of the plot? Describe a challenge faced by a character in the novel and compare it to a similar challenge you faced or someone you know faced. How are the challenges alike and different? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

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Book Report Graphic Organizer ..................

1st paragraph Author, Setting, Time (setting is where and when the story took place) ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

2nd paragraph Description of Main Characters ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

3rd paragraph Problem/Solution Faced by Characters ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

4th paragraph Theme/Moral (underlying idea & subject/lesson learned) ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

5th paragraph Opinion/Recommendation (What did you think of this book? Who would you tell to read it?) ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

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Fiction Book Report Prewriting ..................

Write the title and author of your book in the orange box. Write the theme of the book in the green one. Use the balloons to record the names and descriptions of each of the characters.

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My Fiction Book Report ..................

This organizer is an attractive way to display fiction book reports in the classroom. Students should be encouraged to personalize the forms as much as they wish.

Name: __________________________________________________________________ Book Title: ______________________________________________________________ Author: _ ________________________________________________________________

Character Analysis Main Characters

Description

Summary

Recommendation

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Biography Research Page ..................

This is a biography of: _______________________________________________________ Date of Birth: _ _______________________________________________________________ Place of Birth: _ ______________________________________________________________

Three questions I would like to research: 1.______________________________________________________ 2.______________________________________________________ 3.______________________________________________________ Notes (write keywords and facts)

Write the sources of your information: 1.______________________________________________________ 2.______________________________________________________ 3.______________________________________________________

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Concept Map

.................. Reason 1

Reason 2

My Opinion:

Reason 3

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Expository Pillar-Prewriting Framework ..................

This graphic organizer will enable students to “build” their informative essay and transfer it into sentences and paragraphs in the drafting stage. Introduction (lead/thesis statement):

Main Idea #1: Details:

Main Idea #2:

Details:

Main Idea #3:

Details:

Conclusion:

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Descriptive Essay Graphic Organizer ..................

This graphic organizer will be a great help when you plan a descriptive essay. Remember that a descriptive essay’s purpose is simply to describe something or someone. Introduction Paragraph Where I am describing? How I will organize this essay? (spatial, time and importance order)

Body Paragraph 1 Sensory Detail

Specific Example

Figure of Speech (Simile Metaphor or Personification)

Specific Example

Body Paragraph 2 Sensory Detail

Specific Example

Sensory Detail

Specific Example

Body Paragraph 3 Sensory Detail

Specific Example

Sensory Detail

Specific Example

Conclusion Why is this place important to you?

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Gathering Grid

..................

A gathering grid can help you organize information for a research report. • Write your questions in the left hand column • Write the title of your sources at the top of each column • Write answers you find and note where you found them Topic

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

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Persuasive Essay Organizer ..................

INTRODUCTION Main Idea Topic Sentence:__ _____________________________________________________ Supporting Reasons: Body 1__ ____________________________________________________ Body 2__________________________________________________________________________ Body 3__________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion sentence:__ __________________________________________________________

BODY

Reason #1 ______________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 1________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 2________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 3________________________________________________________ Conclusion sentence:__ __________________________________________________

BODY

Reason #1 ______________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 1________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 2________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 3________________________________________________________ Conclusion sentence:__ __________________________________________________

BODY

Reason #1 ______________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 1________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 2________________________________________________________ Detail/Example 3________________________________________________________ Conclusion sentence:__ __________________________________________________

#1

#2

#3

CONCLUSION Restate Main Idea:______________________________________________________________ Restate Supporting Reasons: Reason 1_ __________________________________________ Reason 2________________________________________________________________________ Reason 3________________________________________________________________________ Recommendations and/or Predictions:___________________________________________

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Story Map

.................. This story map is helpful when students plan to write a fictional narrative essay. By listing all the areas to be considered before the actual writing begins, this map is a very useful planning tool. A story map can help you plot out just what happens in a story. • Fill in each part of the story map. • Use the story map to guide your writing.

Title

Main Characters Other Characters Conflict

Setting

Rising Action #1 Rising Action #2 Rising Action #3 Climax

Resolution

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