4 Square Writing

Lesson Square + 3 Supporting (adding supporting details) In lesson 1 we brainstormed with Topics and Subtopics. Now we’re going to move on to the four square format. 2. Detail 3. Detail 4. Detail 5. Wrap-up Sentence 1. Topic (2.,3.,4.) are examples, details, or definitions of (1.) subtopics (5.) wrap-up sentence includes All the ideas from the 4 square in a series sentence

Example: 1. Snacks 2. Pretzels 3. Popcorn 4. Peanuts 5. Pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts are snacks.

Lesson Square + 3 Supporting + Concluding Sentence Now we’ll change from a word phrase in the center box to a complete sentence. We’ll also add a conjunction to the wrap-up sentence.

1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 2. Easy to Cook 3. Fun to eat 4. Delicious My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to cook, fun to eat, and delicious. 5. Conjunction since, because, due to good to use in summary sentences

Lesson Square + 3 Supporting Details + Wrap-up Sentence Now we are going to add 3 supporting details for each reason, example, or explanation.

1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 2.Easy to Cook3.Fun to eat 4.Delicious My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to cook, fun to eat, and delicious. 5. * roll up meat *throw in pot *pour store-bought sauce *twirl on fork *slurp it *splatter the sauce *tomatoes *Italian spices *filling meat

Lesson 4 - Add transition words (connectors) “Transition words” help bridge the gap between ideas. They provide smooth reading when changing paragraphs.

1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 2.Easy to Cook3.Fun to eat 4.Delicious My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to cook, fun to eat, and delicious. 5. * roll up meat *throw in pot *pour store-bought sauce *twirl on fork *slurp it *splatter the sauce *tomatoes *Italian spices *filling meat First So you can see Also Third

Lesson 5 – Add adjectives/adverbs (vivids) Adding “vivid words helps you develop style in your writing. You will be adding – What you (the writer) see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. – The emotional state of you (the writer)

Example: 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. First 2. It’s easy. roll up meat golf balls throw in pot huge cauldron size pour store-bought sauce Mama someone or other 3. Also It’s fun to eat. twirl on fork looks like a twister slurp it loud smacking noises splatter the sauce like an explosion 4. Third It’s delicious. tomatoes red and tangy Italian spices zippy garlic filling meat like a hamburger 5. So you can see My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious.

1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. First 2. It’s easy. roll up meat golf balls throw in pot huge cauldron size pour store-bought sauce Mama someone or other 3. Also It’s fun to eat. twirl on fork looks like a twister slurp it loud smacking noises splatter the sauce like an explosion 4. Third It’s delicious. tomatoes red and tangy Italian spices zippy garlic filling meat like a hamburger 5. So you can see My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious. Lesson 6 – Taking the Writing off the Organizer

Paragraph 1 My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Paragraph 2 First, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. You simply roll up the meat into golf ball-sized pieces a, then throw it in the pot. I use a huge, cauldron-size pot. Pour on the store-bought sauce. My favorite brand is Mama someone or other. roll up meat golf balls throw in pot huge cauldron size pour store-bought sauce Mama someone or other It’s easy. First My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Paragraph 3 Also, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. I like to twirl it on my fork. It looks just like a twister. It’s fun to slurp because it makes a loud smacking noise. I always splatter the sauce. When I’m done, it looks like an explosion. Also It’s fun to eat3. twirl on fork looks like a twister slurp it loud smacking noises splatter the sauce like an explosion 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Paragraph 4 Third, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s delicious. I like the tangy taste of red tomatoes. The Italian spices are great, especially the zippy garlic. The meat is very filling, like a hamburger. 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. Third 4.It’s delicious. tomatoes red and tangy Italian spices zippy garlic filling meat like a hamburger

Paragraph 5 So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat, and delicious. So you can see 5. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious.

Lesson 7 - Improving ( Expanding) Introduction Paragraph Introduction paragraph – gives reader an overview – sets the tone (what to expect) – first impression (will the reader want to read on) Now we will include – 1st - topic sentence My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs – 2nd - wrap-up sentence It’s my favorite because it’s easy to eat to make, fun to eat, and delicious. – 3rd - personal narrative I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night.

First Paragraph (Introduction) Topic Sentence vCenter of 4 Square Use a hook Prepares reader Ties all squares together

The Hook To catch the reader, use a hook in the introductory paragraph. Ask the reader a question. Use a catchy phrase or quote. Create a tongue twister. Make an exclamatory sentence. Use a lead in sentence that entices the reader to read on.

If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would you choose? I would choose spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to make fun to eat, and delicious. I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night. First, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. You simply roll up the meat into golf ball-sized pieces, then throw them in the pot. I use a huge cauldron-sized pot. Pour on the store-bought sauce. My favorite brand is Mama someone or other. Also, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. I like to twirl it on my fork. It looks just like a twister. It’s fun to slurp because it makes a loud smacking noise. I always splatter the sauce. When I’m done, it looks like an explosion. Third, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s delicious. I like the tangy taste of red tomatoes. The Italian spices are great, especially the zippy garlic. The meat is very filling, like a hamburger. So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. Sample Essay:

Lesson 8 - Improving (Expanding) The Final Paragraph The last step is expanding the final paragraph – final chance to bring message to reader. – summary – final emphasis of main ideas Now we will include – 1st - Wrap-up sentence with connecting word So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious – 2nd - Personal narrative sentence(s) (question or exclamation) Make it perky! I think my mom is making some tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner?

If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would you choose? I would choose spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to make fun to eat, and delicious. I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night. First, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. You simply roll up the meat into golf ball-sized pieces, then throw them in the pot. I use a huge cauldron-sized pot. Pour on the store-bought sauce. My favorite brand is Mama someone or other. Also, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. I like to twirl it on my fork. It looks just like a twister. It’s fun to slurp because it makes a loud smacking noise. I always splatter the sauce. When I’m done, it looks like an explosion. Third, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s delicious. I like the tangy taste of red tomatoes. The Italian spices are great, especially the zippy garlic. The meat is very filling, like a hamburger. So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. I think my mom is making some tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner? Sample Essay:

The Narrative Style Expository Gives information States reasons or examples Highly structured Connecting words a must Few quotations Narrative Entertains Has events More loosely structured Connecting words as needed More dialogue

The best day of my life FriendsGames Food SkydiveLand safely Meet the President

Narrative Topic Plus Who? What? Where? When? Why? Event Big Ending

When my cat started talking Who? My cat and I What? Relaxing Where? At home When? In the evening Why? It had been a long day Cat food commercial came on My cat hissed He started talking He has never spoken again. I stopped buying that food. My cat has restrictions on his TV time.

When my cat started talking Who? My cat and I What? Relaxing Where? At home When? In the evening Why? It had been a long day Cat food commercial came on My cat hissed He started talking He has never spoken again. I stopped buying that food. My cat has restrictions on his TV time. * dancing cats * singing about food * I said it was cute * arched his back * his hair stood up * loud scream * called the commercial foolish * said the food was gross * Told me never to buy it again

When my cat started talking Who? My cat and I What? Relaxing Where? At home When? In the evening Why? It had been a long day Cat food commercial came on My cat hissed He started talking He has never spoken again. I stopped buying that food. My cat has restrictions on his TV time. dancing cats top hats singing about food “meow-yum” I said it was cute laughed arched his back angry his hair stood up like a porcupine loud scream ear-splitting * called the commercial foolish - snarled * said the food was gross – for dogs * Told me never to buy it again – I thought it was his favorite In the beginning During the commercial Just then Since that day

Narrative Essay One evening I was relaxing at home. My cat and I were watching television. It had been a long day, and I needed some time to wind down. In the beginning of our favorite show, a commercial came on for a brand of cat food I usually buy. This commercial had adorable little dancing cats. They were wearing black top hats. The cats were also singing about the cat food. “Meow-um, meow-um,” they sang. I thought is was cute, and I laughed out loud.

During this commercial my cat hissed, which is not something he usually does. He arched his back and looked quite angry. The hair on his back was standing up like porcupine quills. He let out an ear-splitting scream. Just then he started talking. He called the commercial foolish and snarled at the television. My cat told me that brand of cat food was gross, and it was only good for dogs, which means that it must be pretty bad. Then he told me never to buy it again. I had always though he liked the stuff!

Since that day my cat has not spoken again. I did stop buying that brand of cat food. But because of his ill-mannered hissing and growling, my cat has had a limit placed on his television time.