Writing well-developed paragraphs using sentence levelling I can develop ideas effectively in my writing. I can identify the levels of sentences in paragraphs.

What is sentence levelling? When we write, we want to go INTO AND INTO a topic. Sentence levelling: Going progressively deeper into a topic by getting to the next level of specificity as you write. Level 1: Smartest dog breeds Level 2: German Sheapherds Level 3: Police academy German Shepherds Level 4: Chief, the Police academy German Shepherd that found a most-wanted criminal. Level 2: Bloodhounds

What is sentence levelling? A lot of young writers resort to the two-level paragraph in their writing: Level 1: Livestock Level 2: Pigs Level 2: Cows Level 2: Sheep This type of paragraph only explores a topic at a surface-level—like taking a picture of the Grand Canyon from your car but not getting out and hiking down to the rocks, which would give us a richer experience.

What is sentence levelling? We want multi-level paragraphs, which have sentences that not only depend on the topic sentence but also follow from and depend on each other. Level 1: Livestock Level 2: Pigs Level 3: Berkshire Level 2: Cows Level 3: Dairy Level 3: Beef Level 4: Angus Level 2: Sheep

Sentence levels: Level 1/Controlling Sentence: This is your least specific sentence—it gives an overview of the general topic. AKA—topic sentence Level 2/Clarifying Sentence: Gives a more specific example or specific reason to make the general topic clearer to the reader. Level 3 and beyond/Completing Sentence: Adds details that are even more specific than level 2.

How do you know when to change levels? Pointers: A specific word or phrase in a sentence that points to a need for a more specific example that should follow. Ex: A person with a phobia may experience an overwhelming sense of danger. The word “overwhelming” points to the need for an explanation of what that means. Get more specific in the next sentence—what does that overwhelming sense of danger look like or lead to?

How do you know when to change levels? Pointers: A specific word or phrase in a sentence that points to a need for a more specific example that should follow. Ex: The intellectual life of the nineteenth century was more complex than that of any other. The phrase “more complex” points to the need for an example that will prove it.

Modelling Follow along as we read “Ward’s Island Bridge” Then, watch as I demonstrate how I identify sentence levels in this paragraph.

Modelling Each paragraph should begin and end with a level 1 sentence—that’s a good place to begin. The first sentence should be the topic sentence, and the last sentence should be some sort of evaluation sentence offering a final interpretation of the topic/examples and going back to more general terms. I then begin by looking for pointers in sentences to see if the next sentence follows that pointer. If it does, then I know the author has dropped down a level.

Modelling 1. A bright splash of color has brightened New York recently. 2. The pedestrian bridge connecting Manhattan with Ward’s Island has been painted in bright primary hues. 3. The span was painted yellow. 4. It’s a vivid signal yellow that would make taxicabs envious. 3. The towers were painted blue. 4. You could say that the blue towers represent the gravity line that connects sky and water. 3. The control booths were painted red. 4. The red was needed to complete the scheme of principal colors. 2. New Yorkers are falling in love with this vibrant OBJET D’ART. 3. Drivers blink and smile. 3. Children fish under the bridge as if it were their private clubhouse. 1. As a matter of fact, painting the Ward’s Island Bridge is like placing a permanent rainbow over a drab part of New York.

Group Practice With a partner, complete the “Burger Village” group practice assignment. Make sure to follow ALL directions.

Individual Assessment Complete the sentence levelling individual assessment and turn it in.