4-SQUARE WRITING TECHNIQUE This is a strategy that helps students organize the major and minor supporting details of their writing. It also helps them use transition words.

4 Square Writing Technique ECR Paragraph Structure All Extended Constructed Responses (ECR’s) and must be turned in using the 4-square writing technique. Technology Education ECR’s must be a minimum of four paragraphs.

Paragraphs A paragraph must have one major detail and at least three minor details.

The main idea is your opinion or point of view in the ECR. Example: I will be successful in school.

Major and Minor Details Major details explains how in support of the main idea. Minor details explains how in support of the major detail.

4 Square Writing Technique ECR Paragraph Structure 1 st Paragraph One Major Detail Three Minor Details 2 nd Paragraph3 rd Paragraph4 th Paragraph One Major Detail Three Minor Details Restate All Major Details Conclusion Sentence One Major Detail Three Minor Details

Major Detail Sentences 1 st Paragraph How will you be successful in school #1? 2 nd Paragraph How will you be successful in school #2? 3 rd Paragraph4 th Paragraph How will you be successful in school #3? Restate reasons #1, #2, and #3 of how you will be successful in school

Major Detail Sentences 1 st Paragraph I will complete all of my assignments. 2 nd Paragraph I will pass all classes. 3 rd Paragraph4 th Paragraph Become more mature. I will be successful in school because I will complete all of my assignments, pass all my classes, and become more mature.

Minor Detail Sentences 1 st Paragraph I will complete all of my assignments. How will you complete all of your assignments #1? #2? #3? 2 nd Paragraph I will pass all classes. How will you pass all of your classes #1? #2? #3? 3 rd Paragraph4 th Paragraph Become more mature. How will you become more mature #1? #2? #3? I will be successful in school because I will complete all of my assignments, pass all classes, and become more mature.

Minor Detail Sentences 1 st Paragraph I will complete all of my assignments. Keep a journal of my work Stay focused on my grades Share my assignment with my parent 2 nd Paragraph I will pass all classes. Complete all work assigned with at least a “B” Find tutoring when I need it Find a “study- buddy” 3 rd Paragraph4 th Paragraph Become more mature. No hanging in the halls Follow my schedule every day Be responsible, respectful, and ready to learn I will be successful in school because I will complete all of my assignments, pass all classes, and become more mature.

Transitional Phrases Start the first paragraph off with a transitional phrase like:  First…  One reason…  First of all… Start the second paragraph off with a transitional phrase like:  Second…  In addition…  Also…

Transitional Phrases Start the third paragraph off with a transitional phrase like:  Third…  Another reason…  Next… Start the fourth paragraph off with a transitional phrase like:  Finally…  So you can see…  To sum up…

Combine all transitional phrases, major, and minor details in paragraph form. 1 st Paragraph One reason I will be successful in school is that I will complete all of my assignments. I will keep a journal of my work and stay focused on my grades. I will also share my assignments with my parents. Do this for all of your paragraphs.

Put it all together One reason I will be successful in school is that I will complete all of my assignments. I will keep a journal of my work and stay focused on my grades. I will also share my assignments with my parents. In addition to completing my assignments, I will pass all my classes. I will have to complete all work assigned with at least a “B” and find tutoring when I need it. I will also find a “study-buddy” Another reason I will be successful in school is that I will become more mature. I will not hang in the halls. I will follow my schedule every day. This will be easy if I can be responsible, respectful, and ready to learn. So you can see, I will be successful in school because I will complete all of my assignments, pass all classes, and become more mature. I can see the scholarships start to roll in. This may be the best decision in my life.

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