How to build a paragraph when answering a writing prompt. CASE How to build a paragraph when answering a writing prompt.

Have you ever been asked to write a paragraph answering a question or writing prompt and didn’t know how to start or where to turn???? In CASE, you are faced with this dilemma….

Change the question to a statement or restate the prompt. Have CASE…Let’s write! C Change the question to a statement or restate the prompt.

Example #1 Question: Why did Percy Jackson think he was always in trouble at school? What was the real reason for his problems? Answer: Percy thought his ADHD caused him to get in trouble at school, but the real reason for his problems was the fact he was a Demi-god and often had to fight evil powers against him.

Example #2 Prompt: Tell about when you learned to ride a bike without training wheels. Include details about how old you were and how you felt. Response: I remember when I learned to ride a bike without training wheels. I had just turned 6. At first I was very nervous, but my dad held onto the back of the bike until I stopped wobbling. I was so excited I nearly hit the curb in front of our house.

Now you try it. On your white board, answer the question in a complete sentence. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Answer:

Step 2 A Answer all parts of the question using complete sentences. Yes No Because

Example #1 Answer: Question: I think math is one of the most important school subjects. People use math in many areas of life. Without math, people would not know how to keep track of their money to pay for food and shelter and other basic needs. Question: Do you think math is an important subject to learn. Explain your answer.

Example #2 Prompt: If I could change places with Mrs. Williamson for one day, I would ____________ so I could __________________. Answer: If I could be Mrs. Williamson for one day, I would start school at 10:00 so I could sleep late and be more awake to learn in my classes.

Now you try. Prompt: Think about your favorite summer activity. Write about a fun summer activity and explain why you like it. Answer:

Step #3 S Support the answer using details and examples from the text.

Example #1 Question: Who did Percy discover was his father? Give an example that helped him learn his father’s identity. Answer: Percy discovered that his father was Poseidon after Clarisse tried to force his head in the toilet, but water exploded out of the toilets almost drowning Clarisse.

Example #2 Answer: Prompt: If someone discovered a formula that enabled people to live forever, it would be a curse. If no one ever died, the world would run out of food. Also, global warming would destroy the habitat for many creatures that need cool climates to survive because people give off carbon dioxide when the breathe which causes global warming. Prompt: If someone discovered a formula that would enable us to live forever, would that be a blessing or a curse? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Now you try. Prompt: Many people believe that honesty is the best policy. In your opinion, is it ever okay to lie? Explain your answer using specific reasons and examples. Answer:

Step #4 E Eliminate unclear pronouns and because from your topic sentence.

Example #1 Unclear: Question: Clear: His task was to return his lightning bolt to Olympus, but he also discovered he had also stolen his helmet. Clear: Percy’s task was to return Zeus’s lightning bolt, but he also discovered Hades helmet was missing. Aries had stolen both items. Percy had to return both to their rightful owners to prevent war. Question: What was the task Percy had to complete to prevent war between Zeus, Aries, and Hades?

Example #2 Prompt: It has been said wild animals are just as afraid of people as people are of the wild animals. Why do you think this might be true? Unclear: They can hurt them or maybe they are just surprised by them. Clear: Wild animals are probably as afraid of people as people are afraid of wild animals. The animals and people don’t know what to expect from each other.

Now you try. Prompt: Some people find computers hard to use. Explain why some people would feel this way. Answer:

And that’s all there is to it! Now you have all the tools you need just in CASE you need help writing a paragraph!