Writing Well-Constructed Paragraphs Explanatory and Argumentative

*A WELL-CONSTRUCTED PARAGRAPH* Use at least 5 complete sentences! Indent! THINK before you write! Your BEST formal writing—no slang! Each sentence should support the main topic of that paragraph. Avoid “garbage lines.” Write neatly !

What is a “complete sentence”? It must have a subject (noun) and a predicate (verb). It must be a whole thought (an independent clause). NOT–- John, my brother, a professional soccer player. (No verb!) *John, my brother, is a professional soccer player. NOT— Staying up late all night watching movies. (No subject!) *My family was staying up all night watching movies. The one in the middle. (Huh? What about it?!) Because I can’t climb it. (Huh? What was the question?)

What is slang? IDK. Maybe my BFF knows some stuff. Cause she is such a brain. So, yeah… Kinda, dude. Cuz like that would be way cool. DON’T USE ANYTHING LIKE THIS!

DON’T USE ANYTHING LIKE THIS! What are “garbage lines”? They are sentences that just fill up space; they don’t say or add anything significant. For example: I am going to write about the subject of poverty. Well, this story has some very interesting themes. Many people have many different feelings about this topic. DON’T USE ANYTHING LIKE THIS!

Argumentative Paragraphs The first sentence must contain a CLAIM (your clear, strong opinion about the issue). You MUST choose a side to argue. Your claim must be supported by at least 3 sentences with EVIDENCE (facts, examples, real reasons why your opinion is right.) The final sentence is a strong CONCLUSION, in which you revisit (restate) the claim, and leave the reader with a strong final thought on the topic.

Remember, an argument paragraph should be constructed like a hamburger: Introduction/ Claim Supporting Details Conclusion

LET’S TRY IT TOGETHER! Look at the “Locker Shelves” advertisement.

“Locker Shelves”: Sample Argument Paragraph Use text evidence to support your claim! Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Conclusion (Indent)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Claim: Having the Magnetic Attraction Locker_____ Organizer in your locker makes the break between__ class a lot more pleasant and less stressful._________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Claim: Having the Magnetic Attraction Locker____ Organizer in your locker makes the break between class a lot more pleasant and less stressful._(Evidences:)_The Organizer has three sturdy metal shelves that can easily hold all of your books and supplies. The shelves are___ adjustable, so they fit any locker. The Organizer also__ comes with handy magnets for hanging notes and____ pictures from your friends.________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Claim: Having the Magnetic Attraction Locker____ Organizer in your locker makes the break between class a lot more pleasant and less stressful._(Evidences:)_The Organizer has three sturdy metal shelves that can easily hold all of your books and supplies. The shelves are___ adjustable, so they fit any locker. The Organizer also comes with handy magnets for hanging notes and____ pictures from your friends._(Conclusion:) Therefore, get the Locker Organizer, and your class breaks will be the best part of your day!__________________________

An Argument Paragraph: Your Turn! An Argument Paragraph: “The Perfect Meal”

Explanatory Writing Explanatory writing clearly explains a process or a particular topic. An well-constructed Explanatory Paragraph should begin with a strong TOPIC SENTENCE (instead of a Claim) that will let the reader know what the entire paragraph will be focused on. The body of the paragraph covers the steps of the process or details of the topic. The paragraph should end with a concluding sentence that wraps up the paragraph in a satisfactory way.

LET’S TRY IT TOGETHER! Look at the worksheet entitled Space Facts. Read the directions in the left column carefully. Then read the information given, about writing the Explanatory Paragraph.

“Space Facts”: Sample Explanatory Paragraph Use text evidence to help you with your explanation. (Indent)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Topic Sentence Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Conclusion

Claim (Topic Sentence): Comets,_ meteors, and asteroids are all_____ objects in the sky, but they each__ have distinct differences.________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Claim (Topic Sentence): Comets, meteors,__ and asteroids are all objects in the sky, but__ they each have distinct differences. A comet and an asteroid are both small solar bodies__ that orbit the sun. However, the comet has a visible coma or tail, and an asteroid does____ not._ A meteor is not in orbit but is burning_ up, passing through the Earth’s orbit before_ it lands.

Claim (Topic Sentence): Comets, meteors,__ and asteroids are all objects in the sky, but__ they each have distinct differences. A comet and an asteroid are both small solar bodies__ that orbit the sun. However, the comet has a visible coma or tail, and an asteroid does____ not._ A meteor is not in orbit but is burning_ up, passing through the Earth’s orbit before it lands. (Conclusion:) Thus, while these three space objects are similar, they also have their_ own characteristics that make them each____ unique._________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

An Explanatory Paragraph: How Are Snowflakes Formed? YOUR TURN! An Explanatory Paragraph: How Are Snowflakes Formed? Topic Sentence. Then explain the 3 or more steps in the process . Concluding Sentence. USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!

Argument Writing Mastery Assessment: Write an effective Argument Paragraph using evidence from the article. “The Deformed Frogs of Le Sueur County” Would scientists be interested in this discovery? WHY would they find it so important?

The Argument ESSAY: Extending your 5-sentence Argument Paragraph into a 5-paragraph Argument Essay!

Argument __ Paragraph Essay_____ The first sentence must contain a CLAIM (your opinion about the issue). You MUST choose a side to argue. Your claim must be supported by at least 3 sentences with EVIDENCE (facts, examples, real reasons why your opinion is right). The final sentence is a strong CONCLUSION, in which you revisit (restate) the claim, and leave the reader with a strong final thought on the topic. The first paragraph must contain an attention-getting beginning (a HOOK), background info., and your CLAIM (your opinion about the issue). You MUST choose a side to argue. Your claim must be supported by at least 3 paragraphs with EVIDENCE (facts, examples, QUOTATIONS, real reasons why your opinion is right). In these 3 paragraphs you should begin with smooth transitions and address the claim of the opposing side. The final paragraph is a strong CONCLUSION, in which you revisit (restate) the claim, and leave the reader with a strong final thought on the topic.

An Example of an Argument Essay: “School Daze”

Is staying awake in history class a battle Is staying awake in history class a battle? Does math class, to you, equal heavy eyelids? If you’re often tired in class, you are not alone. Many people struggle with this. They also feel there is a reason for this sleepiness. Classes in middle and high schools start too early and should consider a later start time. First, only 15 percent of American adolescents get all the sleep they need. This is about nine hours a night, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Lack of sleep can affect concentration, moods, health, safety, and grades. If school started just an hour or two later each day, teens would get the sleep their bodies require. Their concentration abilities, grades, and overall health will all subsequently improve. Second, a teen's biological sleep cycle calls for going to sleep late and waking up late, studies show. If they are biologically programmed for this, schools should accommodate it! Some of their classes start as early as 7:00 A.M. That's just too early. Most adult jobs don't start until 9:00, so why should kids begin their own days so early? Finally, studies have shown that giving a later school-start time can result in improved grades. To give students more snooze time, Meta High School in Meta, Minnesota, changed its start time from 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning. "Academic performance and attendance have improved," says Kyla Wahlstrom, a researcher who's studied the effects of the later start time. There are also fewer peer relationship problems, fewer fights with parents, and much less depression reported, she says. So even though some teachers may say that kids will just sleep in class no matter what time it starts, there is evidence that a later start time has definite benefits. About 40 other school districts in 18 states have delayed their start times over the past decade, the NSF reports. Another 100 are now considering it. Hopefully, all schools will soon get on board with the idea that they need to consider a later start time. Teens need that extra hour of sleep, and starting later would help them be more prepared to learn. *Transitions *Quotation from article. Hook Background Claim Reason 1 (explain w/ supporting info.) Reason 2 (explain w/ supporting info.) Reason 3 (explain w/ supporting info.) “School Daze” argument essay Addressing Counter- Claims Claim Final thought

What Do Athletes Owe Their Fans: Should They Charge YOUR TURN! An Argument Essay What Do Athletes Owe Their Fans: Should They Charge Fans for Autographs?

Extending the Explanatory Paragraph to a 3-Paragraph Explanatory Essay Hook. Background information about the topic. Topic Sentence. Paragraph 2: Explain all of the steps in the process or the details of the topic. Use Transition Words before each step (First, Second, Then, After that, Finally, etc.) Paragraph 3: Re-state the topic. Conclude with a meaningful thought on the topic.

YOUR TURN! An Explanatory Essay: Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?

YOUR TURN! An Argument Essay: Does BIGFOOT Really Exist? Use evidence from the handout articles and the article on p. 38 of Monsters to support your argument.

Hook: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Explain the topic you are writing about. Claim (My Opinion Statement): ……………………………………. ____________________________________________________ First, Reason 1: ……………………………………………………….……. Explain the reason. Quotation from article?::) ___________________________________________________ Second, Reason 2: …………………………………………………………... __________________________________________________ Finally, Reason 3: ……………………………………………………………. (Quotation from article?::) (Address the Counter-Claim:aim:) _________________________________________________________ ________________________ Claim (My Opinion re-stated): ……………………………………….. Strong Final Thought: -------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5