Paragraphs and Persuasive Writing The Tools for Successful Writing

Science Mini Lesson  With a partner draw and label the parts of a tree.  Share with the class. Teacher will draw and label a tree with the class.  What is important about each part?  How does each part contribute to the wellness of the tree?

Connect to Content  How do the parts of a tree relate to developing a good paragraph?  With your partner, predict the connection to a good the connection to a good paragraph. paragraph.  Let’s Share!

The Paragraph Tree Roots = Topic/Main Idea Trunk= Thesis statement/ Topic Sentence Branches/Limbs = Supporting sentences and details You must have at least 3 branches/limbs ! Leaves = Concluding Sentence

The Paragraph Tree Graphic Organizer   A good paragraph has at least 5 sentences. A good essay/ research paper has at least 5 paragraphs. (“5” IS THE MAGIC NUMBER!)   Roots=Provides a good foundation to build on (Topic or Idea)   Trunk=Supports the rest of the tree (Thesis Sentence/Topic Sentence)   Branches (At least 3)=Fills the tree out and gives it body (Supporting Sentences/Details)   Leaves=Finishing touch for the tree (Concluding Sentence)

Another Example: The Hamburger Model

The Topic Sentence (Top Bun)  Very first sentence of your paragraph.  Always needs to be indented.  Tells what your paragraph is going to be about. There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

The First Detail (Lettuce) The First Detail (Lettuce)  Should not be the most important detail.  Needs to follow directly after the topic sentence.  Needs to be full of good “lettucy” details! There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

The Second Detail (Tomato) The Second Detail (Tomato)  Still should not be the most important detail.  Needs to follow directly after the lettuce sentence.  Needs to be full of more “juicy” details! There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

The Third Detail (Cheese) The Third Detail (Cheese)  Still not be the most important detail.  Needs to start differently than other sentences.  Needs to be full of good “cheesy” details! There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

The Last Detail (Meat) The Last Detail (Meat)  Finally!! The most important detail. Save the best for last!  Should start differently than most of the other sentences.  Needs to be full of good “meaty” details! There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

The Closing Sentence (Bottom Bun) The Closing Sentence (Bottom Bun)  Should look a lot like the thesis statement or topic sentence.  Needs to summarize the topic.  Needs to be an obvious end to the paragraph. There are many reasons that I love to teach. First of all, I love to teach because I love being at school. Another reason I love teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a student understand something new. Finally, I love to teach because I love to be around kids. These are just a few reasons I love to teach.

Design your own model  Using a sheet of plain white copy paper, design your own graphic organizer for writing a good paragraph.  Be sure to label all the parts and explain how they represent the following parts of a paragraph: 1.Topic or Idea 2.Thesis statement/Topic sentence 3.Supporting sentences and/or details (at least 3) 4.Concluding sentence You model MUST have COLOR! This is due next class! (End of Day 1 Lesson-Writing a Paragraph)

Day 2 Journal #7- What do you think about cows? Write a good persuasive paragraph that states your position about cows. Can you convince me to think the way you do?

Cows for everyone! Everyone should have a cow of their own at home! First, a cow can be a gentle, loving pet. Next, a cow can give you milk and dairy products. Finally, a cow can give you beef to feed the family. Get up and go to your local sale barn to purchase your cow. Everyone should be the proud owner of a cow!

Persuasive Writing Today’s Focus  What tools can I use to critique a paragraph?  How many paragraphs are in a “good” persuasive essay?  What is persuasive writing?  How can I assess persuasive writing?  How does the author decide which style to use for writing? Write Source Website Write Source Website& Holt McDougal Online Textbook Holt McDougal Online Textbook

Journal #8-Login information for the Write Source  Write Source Website: (contains REQUIRED writing and grammar assignments for class)-  Username: First Initial, Last Name (compressing out spaces and special characters) & Last 4 digits of Student ID # EXAMPLE: Joe Smith ID# = jsmith5459  Password: yymmdd (Birthdate-Last 2 digits of year, month, & day) EXAMPLE: Birthdate-Jan. 7, 2000 =  Write Source Assignment #1- Persuasive Writing Essay #1 in Write Source due by Nov. 19, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. COPY THIS IN YOUR JOURNAL NOTEBOOK AS JOURNAL #8 NOW!

Journal #9-COPY THIS IN YOUR JOURNAL NOTEBOOK AS JOURNAL #9 NOW!  Holt McDougal Online Textbook login page-  Holt Online Essay Scoring Assignment #1- Persuasive Essay #7 in Holt McDougal Online Essay Scoring due by Nov. 30, 2012 at 11:00 p.m.  You can revise and rescore this as many times as you want before the deadline to get the score you want!! (1=D, 2=C, 3=B, 4=A)