Step Up to Writing A Student’s Guide

Expository Paragraphs Explain, Show, Inform or Prove Need a Title Have a topic sentence Use transitions Explain and give examples Have a conclusion

Accordion Paragraphs Green Yellow Red Go! Slow Down! Stop! Go Back! Write a topic sentence. Slow Down! Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition. Stop! Explain. Give an example. Go Back! Remind the reader of your topic

T T t T T-Chart Topic: RDF (Reason, Detail, or Fact) Explain RDF

Expanding the T-Chart 8-Sentence Accordion Paragraph Create an Accordion Fold Front Back Topic Sentence Explanation or Example Reason, Detail or Fact Reason, Detail or Fact Explanation or Example Explanation or Example Reason, Detail or Fact Conclusion

Topic Sentences Topic Sentences Occasion/Position Statements Occasion: The reason you are writing Position: What you plan to prove or explain Starter Words After Even though Until Before Although When As Whenever While Since Unless If When students write paragraphs, they must start with strong topic sentences. If you want to write a good, clear paragraph, try using the accordion paragraph method.

Power Statements List how many reasons your are going to cover to support your topic. Everyone knew SEVERAL things about writing paragraphs. There are THREE reasons why Dan, the protagonist in “Quiet Hills,” by Sandra Lee, is a dynamic character. Two Several Some Three A number of A few Four A couple Many A myriad A plethora Numerous

And, But, Or Statements Use these conjunctions to help you write your topic sentence. The characters in the story were all dynamic, but only one was round. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. did a great job making his characters come to life, but he relied on many flat characters And But Or Nor Yet So

Where or When + What’s Happening In the short story + there are two dynamic characters Sometimes + authors use stereotypes in their novels Where + What’s Happening When + What’s Happening

Question and Statement Topic Sentences Should teachers give more homework? What is your dream for the future? What is the best place to get pizza? Some parents think it’s a good idea. My dream is play professional baseball. Without a doubt it is Pizza Hut.

Transitions Reason, Detail or Fact Statements need transitions. Transitions help your writing flow and keep you organized. One way Another way The first The second One example Another example One Also First of all Second Last First In addition Equally important

The E’s Examples E’s back up your reasons, details, or facts. Explanations Evidence E’s support your topic sentence. Events Experiences Expert Opinions E’s make your writing interesting and believable. Elaboration

Conclusions Go back to your topic Find your key words Use synonyms Summarize information, encourage readers, convince the audience or challenge them to think The final statement is important!!! In fact Obviously Clearly Certainly Definitely Truly All in all To sum up Surely