Writing Teaching Points Paterson Public Schools Office of Elementary Literacy K-8 Amanda Kopesky and Lauren Kazmark Supervisors of Literacy Marguerite Sullivan, Frank Bendziewicz and Irene Alonso Instructional District Coaches

Persuasive Writing Introduction - Suggested Beginnings- Thesis Statement  I am in favor of the proposed requirement that eighth-graders spend fifteen hours a year volunteering to clean the community. Lead  Direct Lead  Question Lead  Statistical Lead  Narrative Lead

Body -Strategies for Elaboration-Mnemonics T.H.E.M.E.S. STRATEGY Time Health Education Money Environment Safety M.E.E.T.S. STRATEGY Money Effort/Environment Education Time Safety

Elaboration Evidence - the Example Facts Statistics - always reference, i.e., (“...I read in Teen Newsweek that 3 out of 4 teens…”) Specific Examples Quotations – (an expert’s opinion) Personal Experiences Anecdotes – (brief story focusing on the topic) Results of a Survey Interviews

Conclusion Restate Position/Opinion A call to action or reasonable alternative to the problem

Persuasive Essay/Letter Format -Supporting a Position- Introduction -Paragraph One- Thesis Statement Clearly Identify the Issue State Position/Opinion ***Identify Two/Three Reasons (only grade 6) Body -Paragraph Two- Reason #1 (Transition word/phrase or topic sentence) Supporting Evidence (2 examples) (Facts/examples/statistics/anecdotes/quotations) ↓ -Paragraph Three- Reason #2 (Transition word/phrase or topic sentence) Supporting Evidence (2 examples) (Facts/examples/statistics/anecdotes/quotations) ↓ -Paragraph Four- Reason #3 (Transition word/phrase or topic sentence) Supporting Evidence (2 examples) (Facts/examples/statistics/anecdotes/quotations) Conclusion -Paragraph Five- Restate Position/Opinion A Call to Action or Reasonable Alternative to the Issue

Persuasive Essay/Letter Format -Problem Solution – Describe a problem/One or more solutions Introduction -Paragraph One- State problem or controversy State opinion Evidence that the problems exists (anecdotes/statistics) What caused the problem? Why does it exist? Prediction (What will happen?) ***Propose two/three solutions (only grade 6) Body -Paragraph Two- Proposed Solution #1 (i.e., money, time, and difficulty) ( Transition word/phrase or topic sentence ) Describe benefits of solution ( 2 examples ) ( Facts/examples/statistics/anecdotes/quotations ) Acknowledge opposing positions ↓ -Paragraph Three- Proposed Solution #2 (i.e., money, time, and difficulty) ( Transition word/phrase or topic sentence ) Describe benefits of solution ( 2 examples ) ( Facts/examples/statistics/anecdotes/quotations ) Acknowledge opposing positions ↓ -Paragraph Four- Proposed Solution #3 (i.e., money, time, and difficulty) ( Transition word/phrase or topic sentence ) Describe benefits of solution ( 2 examples ) ( Facts/examples/statistics/anecdotes/quotations ) Acknowledge opposing positions Conclusion -Paragraph Five- Restate Opinion Restate Problem or Controversy Suggest a Reasonable Alternative to the Problem

Explanatory Prompts Are based on topics familiar to students Will ask them to describe, discuss, explain, or analyze some aspect of the topic Will offer students the opportunity to draw on their own experience and what they know to develop their ideas for their composition

Grades 3-5 There are two formats for assessing explanatory/expository writing: one will introduce a topic in a brief verbal prompt and ask students to develop a composition about that topic. The second format begins with a poem that introduces a topic. This topic is elaborated further by a brief verbal prompt that students will use as a basis for writing their composition.

Grades 6-8 Explanatory prompts will present students with an essay topic based on a quotation, adage, or a familiar topic. In responding to the topic or quotation presented, students will be asked to explain their point of view and to create an original work which includes personal knowledge and experience.

Explanatory Writing Teaching Points: Review key words: DESCRIBE (tell in detail) DISCUSS (expand on ideas and details, present in a clear organized sequence) EXPLAIN (provide examples, reasons)

Explanatory Writing Teaching Points Compose strong leads Example: Begin with a question or exclamation. Incorporate voice Example: Talk to the reader by using “you.”

Explanatory Writing Teaching Points Show, not tell Example: I would roll three snowballs and stack them. vs. I would build a snowman. List details Example: I would use buttons for the mouth, a carrot for the nose…

Explanatory Writing Teaching Points Replace ordinary words with more descriptive words Example: Cold vs. chilly Write with the five senses Use figurative language Compose strong closings Example: End with a reflection or summary of main points

Speculative Prompts Instruct the student to compose a fictional story about the scenario given. Encourage students to use the information from the passage to make decisions, solve problems, and create original works.

Speculative Writing Teaching Points Carefully read the passage to understand all of the information provided Pre-write by brainstorming a list of ideas Use your prewriting ideas to help form your story

Speculative Writing Teaching Points Write a story with a beginning, middle, and a satisfying ending. Include any characters mentioned in the passage. Make sure to name them. Create a setting with a place, time, and season.

Speculative Writing Teaching Points Use imaginative and colorful writing; try using similes, metaphors, other figures of speech, sensory details and imagery. Remember to proofread.

Speculative Writing Teaching Points Define, identify, and retell story elements Characters Setting Plot Movement through time

Speculative Writing Teaching Points Compose strong leads Example: begin with a description of a character, the setting, and/or action Tell the inside story Example: include the character’s thoughts and feelings

Speculative Writing Teaching Points Show, not tell Example: Mark helped Daddy put money into the machine. Replace ordinary words with more descriptive words Example: use zoom instead of ran Compose strong closings