Step up to Writing January 4, 2017

The Traffic Signal to Writing Writing by Color GREEN = GO (Topic Sentence) YELLOW = SLOW DOWN : Be Specific (Reasons / Details / Facts) RED = STOP: Give examples (Explain) GREEN = GO BACK: Restate your topic (Conclusion)

GREEN TOPIC SENTENCE OR CLAIM “GREEN” means “GO” “GREEN” says “ I have a place I am going with this paragraph. “GREEN” asks the writer to decide, “What am I going to prove? “What information will I share?”

YELLOW Reasons / Details / Facts YELLOW means “slow down” YELLOW identifies key ideas – reasons, details, or facts. YELLOW introduces key concepts – reasons, details, or facts.

YELLOW Reason/Detail/Fact: Give the reader a reason, detail or fact that proves or explains the topic.  Transition words or phrases are a good was to start these star/key ideas.  The transitions are like glue; they keep all the pieces together.

RED EXPLAIN RED means “Stop and explain” the yellow reasons. RED presents evidence that supports the yellow reasons. RED provides explanations and examples of the Yellows..

RED Examples, Evidence, Explanation and Elaboration: The meat of the paragraph contains examples, evidence, explanation and elaboration. Red from the traffic signal reminds students to stop and explain.

GREEN CONCLUSION “GREEN” means “GO back to your topic” “GREEN” means “ restate your topic and the position.” Do not introduce new information Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.

GREEN Conclusion: Time to go back to the topic sentence and make a strong, meaningful connection with it - not just copy it. Think of the conclusion as a green ribbon that ties all of the ideas together and gives the reader something to think about.

NOW – it’s your turn DEFINE THESE TERMS: (you may go back and look if needed) GREEN = YELLOW = RED =

Writing a Paragraph The three colors of the traffic light help me remember how to write a simple paragraph.  First, I use green to get me going.  My topic sentence is green; it tells the reader what I am going to prove, going to explain, going to describe, or going to share.  Next, yellow reminds me to slow down and support my topic with good reasons, interesting facts, or well-described details.  I introduce my reasons, details or facts with transitions.  Finally, I see red and it reminds me to stop.  Red examples, explanations, evidence, and events bring my paragraph to life.  My conclusion, of course, is green because I go back to my topic and use my last sentence to remind the reader of the topic.

EXAMPLE for Review

SO, how was this paragraph created? Step 1 of the Writing Process: PREWRITING We will create prewriting outlines using the colors of the traffic signal.

FIRST, you must choose your topic TOPIC: PANDAS

GREEN – GO – Topic sentence TOPIC: Pandas GREEN – Giant Panda: Favorite Animal Remember- Outlines do NOT have to be in complete sentences. They can be simple and we can add to them later.

YELLOW – SLOW DOWN – Reasons /Details / Facts What are the REASONS that the panda is your favorite? TOPIC: PANDAS GREEN – GIANT PANDA: Favorite Animal YELLOW – Cute and Cuddly YELLOW - Endangered

RED – Stop Explain or Give Examples Explain or give examples to support your yellows TOPIC: Pandas GREEN – Giant Panda: Favorite Animal YELLOW – Cute and Cuddly (Orange Transition/ First) RED – Colors RED – Soft Fur RED – Sad Face YELLOW – Endangered ( Orange Transition/ Second ) RED – We should try to preserve

OUTLINE OF TOPIC: Pandas Green – Giant Panda: Favorite Animal YELLOW – Cute and Cuddly RED – colors RED – soft fur RED – sad face YELLOW – Endangered RED – We should try to preserve them GREEN – Rephrase topic sentence.

LET’s REVIEW