Writing to a Prompt using a 4-square Graphic Organizer DWA Preparation

What is writing to a prompt A prompt is a topic you are asked to write about. A prompt is a topic you are asked to write about. 4 types of Prompts Narrative Narrative Expository Expository Persuasive Persuasive Descriptive Descriptive

Narrative Essay A narrative tells a story. It could be fiction or non-fiction. It includes a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative tells a story. It could be fiction or non-fiction. It includes a beginning, middle, and end. Example: Write a story about a time when you were sad. Example: Write a story about a time when you were sad. Clue words – narrate, tell a story about, write about a time, what happened when Clue words – narrate, tell a story about, write about a time, what happened when

Expository Essay Expository is another word for explaining. In an expository essay you may be asked to give information about something. You may be asked to explain something. Expository is another word for explaining. In an expository essay you may be asked to give information about something. You may be asked to explain something. Example: Tell me what your favorite sport is and why. Example: Tell me what your favorite sport is and why. Clue words: Explain, tell why, talk about, write why. Clue words: Explain, tell why, talk about, write why.

Descriptive Essay In a descriptive essay you describe a thing, person, event or place. In a descriptive essay you describe a thing, person, event or place. Example: Tell about a cold winter day. Example: Tell about a cold winter day. Clue words: describe, tell about an object, what does it look and feel like, write so your reader can see, picture in your mind Clue words: describe, tell about an object, what does it look and feel like, write so your reader can see, picture in your mind

Persuasive Essay To persuade someone is to convince them to agree with you. Your job is decide your point of view and write arguments to persuade your reader to share your view. To persuade someone is to convince them to agree with you. Your job is decide your point of view and write arguments to persuade your reader to share your view. Example: Should limits be placed on the amount of television children are allowed to watch? Example: Should limits be placed on the amount of television children are allowed to watch? Clue words: Should there be, convince your reader, support your view, make an argument. Clue words: Should there be, convince your reader, support your view, make an argument.

Deciding what kind of prompt Everyone has a favorite possession. Tell what your favorite possession is and why it’s important to you. Everyone has a favorite possession. Tell what your favorite possession is and why it’s important to you. Expository!

Everyone has good days and bad days. Write a story about the best day you ever had. Everyone has good days and bad days. Write a story about the best day you ever had. Narrative

Imagine your family is planning a trip. You can visit anywhere in the world. Think of where you would like to go, and why. Write an essay that would convince your family to go to the place you choose. Imagine your family is planning a trip. You can visit anywhere in the world. Think of where you would like to go, and why. Write an essay that would convince your family to go to the place you choose. Persuasive

A person you know is planning to move to your town. She has written to you to ask you what it is like. Write an essay describing your town to her. A person you know is planning to move to your town. She has written to you to ask you what it is like. Write an essay describing your town to her. Descriptive

Your parents are trying to decide whether to get a pet. Think if you would like to have a pet, and if so what pet you would like. Then write an essay to persuade your family to your opinion. Your parents are trying to decide whether to get a pet. Think if you would like to have a pet, and if so what pet you would like. Then write an essay to persuade your family to your opinion. Persuasive

Think about your favorite food. In an essay, give reasons for liking this food best. Think about your favorite food. In an essay, give reasons for liking this food best. Expository

Make up a story about what is in a basket. Narrative

Write a letter to a friend telling what you would pack for a picnic and why. Expository

Steps to writing to a prompt Decide what kind of writing the prompt is asking for Decide what kind of writing the prompt is asking for Plan your writing Plan your writing Write first draft Write first draft Revise writing Revise writing Proofread Proofread

Why organize? Makes your writing more understandable Makes your writing more understandable You won’t forget anything You won’t forget anything Listen to two examples: Listen to two examples:

Using a 4-square to organize an Expository Essay Supporting Idea Wrap up sentence Topic Sentence

PretzelsPopcorn PeanutsPretzels, popcorn, and peanuts are snacks. Snacks 3 supporting ideas and a wrap up sentence

Your Turn Sports Equipment

3 supporting ideas Center of the box now has a complete sentence Center of the box now has a complete sentence First three boxes must contain reasons First three boxes must contain reasons Must prove the topic sentence true Must prove the topic sentence true Must be real reasons Must be real reasons

Easy to cookFun to eat Delicious My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to cook, fun to eat, and delicious. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Your Turn My favorite sport is __________

Checklist Are the four square reasons quantifiable and not opinion? Are the four square reasons quantifiable and not opinion? Is there repetition of detail? Is there repetition of detail?

Adding supporting details Our story so far would read as follows: Our story so far would read as follows: My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. My favorite meal is spaghetti because it’s delicious. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat, and delicious. We need to elaborate – add details. We need to elaborate – add details. We will add 3 details to each square. We will add 3 details to each square. These details will clarify or give examples of the phrase at the top of the square. These details will clarify or give examples of the phrase at the top of the square.

It’s easy Roll up meat Throw in pot Pour store-bought sauce It’s fun to eat Twirl on fork Slurp it Splatter the sauce It’s delicious Tomatoes Italian spices Filling meat My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Your Turn Reason: Detail Reason: Detail Reason: Detail Wrap up sentence My favorite sport is ___________

Checklist Are the details logical expansion of the reasons? Are the details logical expansion of the reasons? Are the details factual and free of opinion? Are the details factual and free of opinion? Are there gross mechanical problems in the wrap-up sentence? Are there gross mechanical problems in the wrap-up sentence?

Using connecting words Choose a connecting word and put at the top of each square. Choose a connecting word and put at the top of each square. Use the handout to help you choose appropriate connecting words for each square. Use the handout to help you choose appropriate connecting words for each square.

First It’s easy Roll up meat Throw in pot Pour store-bought sauce Also It’s fun to eat Twirl on fork Slurp it Splatter the sauce Third It’s delicious Tomatoes Italian spices Filling meat So you can see My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Your Turn Connecting word Reason: Detail Connecting word Reason: Detail Connecting word Reason: Detail Connecting word Wrap up sentence My favorite sport is ___________

Vivid language What sounds better? What sounds better? The water was cold. The water was cold. The water felt like ice. The water felt like ice. Think of your senses – how does it feel, taste, smell, look, feel? Think of your senses – how does it feel, taste, smell, look, feel? Add a vivid detail to each supporting detail. Add a vivid detail to each supporting detail.

First It’s easy Roll up meat Golf balls Throw in pot Huge cauldron-size Pour store-bought sauce Prego Also It’s fun to eat Twirl on fork Looks like a twister Slurp it Loud smacking noises Splatter the sauce Like an explosion Third It’s delicious Tomatoes Red and tangy Italian spices Zippy garlic Filling meat Like a hamburger So you can see My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.

Your turn Connecting word Reason: Detail vivid Detail Vivid Detail vivid Connecting word Reason: Detail vivid Detail vivid Detail vivid Connecting word Reason: Detail vivid Detail Vivid Detail vivid Connecting word Wrap up sentence My favorite sport is ___________

Checklist Do the added vivids add more information to the details? Do the added vivids add more information to the details? Have you used a thesaurus to find the best possible word? Have you used a thesaurus to find the best possible word? Have you checked your punctuation? How about your grammar? Have you checked your punctuation? How about your grammar?

Taking the writing off the organizer

My essay My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. First, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. You simply roll up the meat into golf-ball sized pieces, then throw it in the pot. I use a huge, cauldron- size pot. Pour on the store-bought sauce. My favorite brand is Prego. Also, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. I like to twirl it on my fork. It looks like a twister. It’s fun to slurp because it makes a loud smacking noise. I always splatter the sauce. When I’m done, it looks like an explosion. Third, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s delicious. I like the tangy taste of red tomatoes. The Italian spices are great, especially the zippy garlic. The meat is very filling, like a hamburger. So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat, and delicious.

Your turn Read your 4-square to a partner or in your peer editing group Read your 4-square to a partner or in your peer editing group Do the sentences flow well? Do the sentences flow well? Have you used the right tense throughout the essay? Have you used the right tense throughout the essay? Is your topic sentence clear? Is your topic sentence clear? How are your hook and conclusion? How are your hook and conclusion?

Improving the introduction First paragraph First paragraph Hook Hook Topic sentence Topic sentence Wrap up sentence Wrap up sentence Personal/reflective sentence Personal/reflective sentence My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night.

Improving the closing paragraph Final paragraph Final paragraph Summarize main points and then wrap-up sentence with connecting word Summarize main points and then wrap-up sentence with connecting word Personal / Reflective sentence, question or exclamation Personal / Reflective sentence, question or exclamation So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. I am making some tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner? So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. I am making some tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner?

Your Turn Write an intro and closing paragraph. Write an intro and closing paragraph.

Using the 4-square method to write an essay Expository Expository Gives information Gives information States reasons or examples States reasons or examples Must have connecting words Must have connecting words Few quotations Few quotations Narrative Narrative Entertains Entertains Has events Has events Connecting words as needed Connecting words as needed More dialogue More dialogue

The best day of my life Friends Games Food skydiveLand safely Meet the president Expository Narrative

Event Big Ending Topic plus Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Time connector: In the beginning Event: Cat food commercial came on Details Dancing cats Top hats Singing about food “meow-yum” I said it was cute laughed Time connector: During the commercial Event: My cat hissed Details Arched his back Angry His hair stood up Like a porcupine Loud scream Ear splitting Time connector: Just then Event: He started talking Details Called the commercial foolish Snarled Said the food was gross For dogs Told me never to buy it I thought it was his favorite. Time connector: Since that day Big ending: He has never spoken again I stopped buying that cat food. My cat has restrictions on his TV time. When my cat started talking Who? My cat and I What? Relaxing Where? At home When? In the evening Why? It had been a long day

Completed Narrative Essay One evening I was relaxing at home. My cat and I were watching television. It had been a long day, and I needed some time to wind down. In the beginning of our favorite show, a commercial came on for a brand of cat food I usually buy. This commercial had adorable little dancing cats. They were wearing black top hats. The cats were also singing about the cat food. “Meow-yum, meow-yum,” they sang. I thought it was cute, and I laughed out loud. During this commercial my cat hissed, which is not something he usually does. He arched his back and looked quite angry. The hair on his back was standing up like porcupine quills. He let out an ear-splitting scream. Just then he started talking. He called the commercial foolish and snarled at the television. My cat told me that brand of cat food was gross, and it was only good for dogs, which means that it must be pretty bad. Then he told me never to buy it again. I had always thought he liked the stuff. Since that day my cat has not spoken again. I did stop buying that brand of cat food. But because of his ill-mannered hissing and growling, my cat has had a limit placed on his television time.

Your turn Prompt: Think back to when you had a happy experience. Remember where you were and what happened. Write a story about that happy experience Now complete the 4-square