P.O.W. WARM-UPS 7-9 English

Breakdown of the Week Monday Brainstorm (lists, webs, etc. – at least 10 words used) Tuesday Write the supporting sentences of your paragraph. (This will make your topic sentence and closing sentence much easier.) Write a 3 details and an explanation for each. Wednesday Write the topic sentence and the closing sentence. (The TS should introduce your main idea, and the closing sentence should summarize the main idea in new words.) Other ways to conclude your paragraph: Touch Back, Look to the Future, Go to the Heart, Zinger Thursday Draft a paragraph, revise and edit. (spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, Does it make sense?, Would something else sound better?) Scratch things outs and insert things. Friday Write your final paragraph in black ink with no errors. INDENT!

FORMAT A paper folder with brads should be used for P.O.W. All work should be kept in order in the folder because you may be asked to turn a paragraph into a full essay later. I would like a week’s worth of work to fit on one sheet of paper if possible (front & back). Skip a line before you start a new day. Label each day’s work with the day and date in MLA format. Example: Wednesday, 10 August 2016

Grading Rubric 10 pts – Brainstorming is complete with at least 10 words. (Half credit for less than 10 words) 10 pts – There are 3 supporting sentences drafted. (Half credit for 1-2 sentences) 10 pts – There is a topic sentence drafted that introduces the main idea. (Half credit if the topic sentence is incorrect.) 10 pts – There is a closing sentence drafted that does its job. (Half credit if the closing sentence is does incorrectly.) 10 pts – There is evidence of more than one revision. (Half credit for one revision) 50 pts – Final paragraph is complete with no errors in black ink and indented. (No half credit & must be legible to grade)

Monday Practice Brainstorm all that you know about something you are good at. It can be a sport you play, a talent you have, something school related, or whatever you think is something you do well. Be sure to include every detail you can think of about the topic. (No complete sentences this time!)

Monday Practice Writing -poetry -stories *scary & funny -songs -essays for school *doesn’t take long *come up with good ideas

Tuesday Practice Using your brainstorming from yesterday, choose 3 of the most important reasons why you are good at the topic you chose. Write a sentence for each. Then write an explanation sentence for each.

D: I often write poetry for fun or to make me feel better when I’m upset. E: When my parents got divorced a few years ago, I wrote poetry to get my feelings out. D: I have even written songs before. E: Since I’m in chorus, sometimes I try to write songs when I’m bored, and they turn out good. D: Most people don’t like essays, but I actually am able to write them easily. E: I had one essay due on a Monday and started on a Saturday but I still got an A.

Wednesday Practice Now that you have your details and explanations, write your topic sentence and closing sentence. Remember, your topic sentence must introduce your main idea without giving away any details. Your closing sentence should restate your topic using synonyms and different words.

T: Something I am good at is writing. C: Writing is a strength of mine.

Thursday Practice Put all of your work together in paragraph form. The topic sentence goes first, then the detail and explanation sentences. The last sentence is your closing sentence. Proofread and check for capitalization, punctuation, grammar, spelling, and clear ideas. Make marks to show what you will add or change.

Something I am good at is writing Something I am good at is writing. I often write poetry for fun or to make myself feel better when I am upset. When my parents got divorced a few years ago, I wrote poetry to get my feelings out. I have even written songs before. Since I’m in chorus, sometimes I try to write original songs when I am bored, and they actually turn out good. Most people don’t like essays, but I am actually able to write them easily. I had one essay due on a Monday and started on a Saturday, but I still earned an A.

Friday Practice Write your final paragraph with no errors in black ink. Be sure to indent!

Something I am good at is writing Something I am good at is writing. I often write poetry for fun or to make myself feel better when I am upset. When my parents got divorced a few years ago, I wrote poetry to get my feelings out. I have even written songs before. Since I’m in chorus, sometimes I try to write original songs when I am bored, and they actually turn out good. Most people don’t like essays, but I am actually able to write them easily. I had one essay due on a Monday and started on a Saturday, but I still earned an A. Writing is a strength of mine.