What is good writing? How do teachers decide how to grade a writing assignment? Why do some students get A’s on their writing and others get B’s, C’s or worse? Could teachers give students a clue? How long does my writing need to be? How is good writing organized and developed?

Color-Formula Paragraphs A Sure and Simple Way to Improve Student Writing

Green means — ”Go!” There are four kinds of topic sentences:  O O O Occasion – Position Statements  P P P Power Statements  H H H However Statements  C C C Conjunction Statements

Power Statements topicnumber All you have to do is state your topic and use a number word! Example: Tourists traveling to New Mexico will want to visit several spectacular sights. Topic: tourist sights Number word: several

SupportSentences: Yellow means – “slow down!” Support Sentences: Yellow means – “slow down!” Support sentences add information to the topic sentence.Support sentences add information to the topic sentence. Always begin these with T ransitional E lements, or TE’s. Here are just a few transitional sets: First – Secondly – Most importantly One – Then – After that First - Another - Next Initially – Then - Finally

How Many SupportSentences? How Many Support Sentences? A well-developed paragraph needs a minimum of three support sentences.A well-developed paragraph needs a minimum of three support sentences. Your instructor may ask you to write more (or fewer!) support sentences.Your instructor may ask you to write more (or fewer!) support sentences. Write all your support sentences at once, right after writing the topic sentence.Write all your support sentences at once, right after writing the topic sentence. 5?20? 2?

Now start sentences with TE’s and write three supports! One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge.One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument.Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. Support your topic sentence: Topic sentence: Tourists traveling to New Mexico will want to visit several spectacular sights. The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns.The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns.

Here is the paragraph so far… Tourists traveling to New Mexico will want to visit several spectacular sights. Tourists traveling to New Mexico will want to visit several spectacular sights. One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns. The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns.

This paragraph is okay… But it doesn’t tell us much; it lacks development. Red means the writer must now STOP and give some “E’s”! Red means the writer must now STOP and give some “E’s”! Examples Evidence Events Elaboration Everyday info. Expert opinion Experiences Explanation

Adding the “E’s” Add the “E’s” to only ONE yellow support sentence at a time.Add the “E’s” to only ONE yellow support sentence at a time. Write at least one red detail sentence for every support sentence—it is acceptable to write 2, 3, or more.Write at least one red detail sentence for every support sentence—it is acceptable to write 2, 3, or more.

Example: One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. The Gorge is seven miles northwest of Taos on highway 64. The Gorge is seven miles northwest of Taos on highway 64. Where the highway crosses, the Rio Grande lies a dizzying 900 feet below a magnificent bridge. Where the highway crosses, the Rio Grande lies a dizzying 900 feet below a magnificent bridge. Visitors can view the river, bridge, or Gorge from various safe vantage points. Visitors can view the river, bridge, or Gorge from various safe vantage points. Here, three “E’s” add interest to the support sentence.

Now add the “E’s” to each of the other two support sentences. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. Examples ExplanationEvidence The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns. The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns. Examples ExplanationEvidence

Now it’s time to conclude! Conclusions are green because they remind readers of your topic by restating and summarizing. Include a “signal” word or phrase in your conclusion sentence to let the reader know you are ending the paragraph. Clearly All in all Surely Certainly In fact Obviously To sum up Truly In conclusion

Pick a concluding word or phrase, then write a “reflection” of the topic sentence Clearly, the tourist attractions in New Mexico offer many amazing and beautiful sights.

Here is the complete paragraph… Tourists traveling to New Mexico will want to visit several spectacular sights.One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. The Gorge is seven miles northwest of Taos on highway 64. Where the highway crosses, the Rio Grande lies a dizzying 900 feet below a magnificent bridge. Visitors can view the river, bridge, or Gorge from various safe vantage points. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. The Monument is most famous for being the test site for the atomic bomb. In addition to its historical importance, White Sands boasts a stark beauty. The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns. This complex of caves discovered in the 1800’s is one of the most impressive and extensive on the continent. Visitors can walk or ride through many cavernous rooms and learn about the geological formations. Since much of it is far underground, Carlsbad Caverns is quite naturally air conditioned! Clearly, the tourist attractions in New Mexico offer many amazing and beautiful sights. Tourists traveling to New Mexico will want to visit several spectacular sights. One popular attraction is the Rio Grande River Gorge. The Gorge is seven miles northwest of Taos on highway 64. Where the highway crosses, the Rio Grande lies a dizzying 900 feet below a magnificent bridge. Visitors can view the river, bridge, or Gorge from various safe vantage points. Another place tourists and natives alike enjoy visiting is White Sands National Monument. The Monument is most famous for being the test site for the atomic bomb. In addition to its historical importance, White Sands boasts a stark beauty. The most popular site of all in the Land of Enchantment is Carlsbad Caverns. This complex of caves discovered in the 1800’s is one of the most impressive and extensive on the continent. Visitors can walk or ride through many cavernous rooms and learn about the geological formations. Since much of it is far underground, Carlsbad Caverns is quite naturally air conditioned! Clearly, the tourist attractions in New Mexico offer many amazing and beautiful sights.

Green means “GO!” Write your topic sentence. Yellow means “slow down”! Comment on the topic. Red means “STOP” to elaborate on each support with the “E’s”. Another green means “echo” or reflect upon your topic, signaling the end to your reader. Put it all together!

This could could be be YOU!