Writing Workshop

Pre-Writing Assignment Get out the following: a piece (or two) of notebook paper a writing utensil a different color writing utensil or a highlighter Clear everything else off your desk

Writing Assignment Work independently (silently) and write a paragraph answering the following question. Be sure to include at least THREE FACTS explaining your decision. Who is the most important person in history?

Post-Writing Assignment Now, go back and re-read your writing. Highlight or circle in a different color the following things: Every time you wrote the word “I” The three (or more) FACTS you used Count how many sentences you wrote and write that number at the bottom of the page.

Writing Assignment #1 Choose one of the following: On one of the Venn diagram worksheets, compare and contrast yourself and a sibling, parent, or friend. Write out at least 5 unique things about each of you and 5 similarities in the part where the circles cross.

Example #1: Me My Husband Both 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3.

The Compare and Contrast Essay The Formula

The Question Compare the characteristics of Loudoun County high schools and middle schools from the years 2010 to 2013.

The Thesis Paragraph Again, DO NOT simply rephrase the question But DO give the time period Thesis MUST have One similarity + One difference + One additional similarity or difference Again, DO NOT simply rephrase the question

The Thesis Paragraph From the years 2010 to 2013 high schools and middle schools in Loudoun County exhibited several difference and some similarities. Both high schools and middle schools serve very poor lunches in the cafeteria. However, high school differs from middle school in the amount of homework and in the number of extracurricular activities that are available.

Body Paragraph #1 State direct comparison #1 Here are some words and phrases that indicate a DIRECT similarity Both are Alike in The same as Give evidence to support your comparison This could be: Specific examples Data Any people, places, or things that support your comparison! Provide Analysis: (Tell WHY these two things are similar or different) Use the following words/phases The reason for Because of Due to

Body Paragraph #1 Both high school and middle school serve poor quality lunches in the cafeteria. The food in both schools is bad tasting and unhealthy. The meat often unidentifiable, the milk is sometimes sour, and the fruit is packed in a lot of sugary syrup. The reason for the low quality of the food is because the school does not have enough funds to spend on high quality lunches. The administration most likely believes that students would be unwilling to pay higher prices for better quality foods.

Body Paragraph #2 State direct comparison #2 Use the following words or phrases to indicate a DIRECT difference X Differs from y x is ____ but y is____ x does ____ however y does ____ unlike Give evidence to support your comparison This could be: Specific examples Data Any people, places, or things that support your comparison! Provide Analysis: (Tell WHY these two things are similar or different) Use the following words/phases The reason for Because of Due to

Body Paragraph #2 High school teachers assign a lot of homework each night, however middle school students are usually given very little homework throughout the week. Students in high school have a variety of essays, math problems, and projects that have to be done completely outside of school. Student in AP classes may have two to three hours of homework for each class! In middle school, student spend less than two hours a week working on homework. The greater homework load in high school is due to the fact that high school student have to know a lot more information to pass their end-of-year tests. Since high school students are not in school more hours, they need to do more work at home. Additionally, students can choose advanced courses like AP and Honors classes that come with more homework.

Body Paragraph #3 State direct comparison #3 Use the following words or phrases to indicate a DIRECT difference X Differs from y x is ____ but y is____ x does ____ however y does ____ unlike Give evidence to support your comparison This could be: Specific examples Data Any people, places, or things that support your comparison! Provide Analysis: (Tell WHY these two things are similar or different) Use the following words/phases The reason for Because of Due to

Body Paragraph #3 Let’s brainstorm some outside evidence…what are some specific activities that high school has that middle school does not have?

WHY are there more extracurricular activities in high school? Body Paragraph #3 WHY are there more extracurricular activities in high school?

Body Paragraph #3 OK! Now it’s your turn. Write paragraph #3 on a piece of scrap paper. Be ready to share with the class!

Conclusion Restate thesis Summarize evidence Explain how your evidence proves your thesis!