Organization By: Tiffany Leizear

Why is it important? The organization of a story is important because a student begins to organize their story before they even begin to write it. It is the backbone of their story. Without it, their story would be difficult to understand and follow.

TAKS Scoring Organization plays a vital role in the scoring of a story. The organization of a student’s story needs to be accurate so that it is not confusing to read, and understandable so that the reader/ grader of their story can easily and smoothly follow the story’s ideas from beginning to end without question.

When do students begin organizing? The organization of a story starts directly after the students develop their ideas. As soon as the student completes the idea stage of the writing process, they need to organize their thoughts. To teach them a structured and easily remembered strategy for successfully beginning this stage, I provide a web. -Discuss types

The WEB!!!! Supporting Detail Main Idea Supporting Detail Detail

Pre-Writing Beginning This beginning is one paragraph long. Sentence 1- Great Lead (No more than three sentences) Last sentence- Main Idea of the story. The main idea needs to respond to the writing prompt or include the prompt somehow in the sentence as well as what the main idea of the entire story will be.

Example Writing Prompt- Tell me about a special time in your life. Focus/ Main Idea- My summer vacation last year. Example of Main Idea sentence- My summer vacation last year was a very special time in my life.

Pre-Writing Middle The middle of the story is three paragraphs long. Each paragraph is explaining each supporting detail by giving the details. Each paragraph begins with a main idea and ends with a main idea.

Middle Paragraphs Main Idea The main idea that each middle paragraph will begin with must tell the reader what supporting detail the paragraph will be about as well as mention the main idea of the whole story.

Example Main Idea at the beginning of the paragraph. Main Idea of story: My summer vacation last year. Supporting Detail: I went to the Zoo Main Idea of paragraph: On my summer vacation, I went to the zoo.

Middle Paragraphs Main Idea The main idea at the end of each middle paragraph must include both the main idea of the paragraph and the main idea of the story as well, but must be restated in a way that concludes the paragraph.

Example Main Idea at the beginning of the paragraph. Main Idea of story: My summer vacation last year. Supporting Detail: I went to the Zoo Main Idea at the beginning of the paragraph: On my summer vacation, I went to the zoo. Main Idea at the end of the paragraph: I had a great time at the zoo on my summer vacation.

Middle Paragraphs The In-Between The sentences that in between the two main idea sentences are the three details that were connected to each supporting detail bubble. Here is where the student will use descriptive words, elaboration, voice, and figurative language.

The End! The ending paragraph concludes the story. It is only one paragraph long. Here is where the student must really shine by utilizing a GREAT ENDING. The student must also include a main idea sentence.

The Last Main Idea This main idea sentence needs to again respond to the prompt and include the main idea of the whole story. It can be placed in any part of the ending paragraph. Example: My summer vacation was a very special time in my life.

Of High Importance!! It is extremely important for the student to make sure that they have the main idea sentences in their story. They are the key elements to great organization!!!! Especially the main idea sentences that are in the beginning paragraphs and the ending paragraphs.

What are the TAKS Graders Looking For? 1- Unsatisfactory- My writing seems to jump around and is confusing and hard to follow. Oops, I forgot to use transitions. 2- Fair-You can follow my ideas pretty well, but my lead and ending need work. I’m still repeating too much. I remember transitions but they are weak. 3-Good- My writing is very easy to follow. I have a clear lead and ending and my transitions are much better. 4-Excellent- Reading my writing is a breeze. Every detail is exactly in the right place. My lead gets you hooked and my ending leaves you thinking.