Word of the Day: DETERMINE Word Parts in Mastering FCAT pg Word & Definition:My Explanation: Determine Example or Non ExampleVisual:

Thursday, January 28, 2010 AGENDA: Word of the Day: Determine – 5 minutes Introduction to Writing Unit – Word Pictures – Introduction Paragraph Answer Big Questions – 3 minutes HW: Think about a difficult job you have had in your life. Write to explain why it was so difficult. BIG QUESTIONS: What separates a good 5-paragraph essay from a bad one? What are the types of thesis statements and why are they important? Announcements and Other Important Dates: FCA #6 on Monday 1/1/10 Write in Notes NONOTESNONOTES

Homework Write a sticky note reminder or place in agenda: Write an introduction paragraph that includes a word picture & a thesis statement to this prompt: –Think about a difficult job you have had in your life. Write to explain why it was so difficult. HOMEWORKHOMEWORK

The Introduction Paragraph The introduction is single-handedly the MOST IMPORTANT part of your essay. – It’s what people read first—you either win them over or put them to sleep in your first few sentences. – Make it count! But how do I write one? NONOTESNONOTES

The Introduction Paragraph Must start with a WORD PICTURE: – An explanation of a scene/situation that uses sensory details.

The Introduction Paragraph Sensory details: The senses that humans have: – Touch – Taste – Smell – Sight – Hearing

The Introduction Paragraph Make the following on your own paper: #1 Sight: Smell: Taste: Touch: Hearing: #2 Sight: Smell: Taste: Touch: Hearing: #3 Sight: Smell: Taste: Touch: Hearing:

The Introduction Paragraph Make the following on your own paper: I will show you an image… For each image, write down one or more words for each sense in the appropriate box. We will do the first word picture together. #1 Sight: Smell: Taste: Touch: Hearing: #2 Sight: Smell: Taste: Touch: Hearing: #3 Sight: Smell: Taste: Touch: Hearing:

Word Picture #1

Word Picture #2

Word Picture #3

Sensory Details Word Pictures Let’s take #3—we’ll turn the sensory details into a word picture. – The smell of the garbage hits my nose roughly. The back of my throat gags from the stench of manure, sour milk, and what I think is a dead cat. As I walk through the garbage pile, my foot become trapped as it sinks into a 1-week old steak and mashed potatoes meal from the Steakhouse restaurant down the street. Does this sound nasty? This is only a small taste of my summer job last year when I worked as a garbage man. NONOTESNONOTES

Writing Quick Tip What do I do if I have no idea what to write about? – Make up a believable lie if you need to. It’s okay, we call it creative writing. NONOTESNONOTES

Sensory Details Word Pictures Good word pictures are AT LEAST 3-4 sentences; no more than 6 sentences please…this is not a novel!

Practice Prompt #1 Take 10 minutes to write a word picture on the following prompt: – Write to explain the BEST day you’ve ever had. Remember to use good sensory details. PRACTICEPRACTICE

Why do I need a Word Picture? Bang. Let me tell you about my best day ever. My best day ever was when I went to the park. It was loads of fun because we had food, drinks, and my friends were there. VS. NONOTESNONOTES

Why do I need a Word Picture? Bang. Let me tell you about my best day ever. My best day ever was when I went to the park. It was loads of fun because we had food, drinks, and my friends were there. It was a very hot day. Sweat was dripping down my face as a passed by the BBQ grill. The smell of chicken roasting over the charcoal grill sent waves of hunger crashing in my stomach. I went to the cooler and removed bottle of my favorite soda. After opening it, I took a long sip. Ice cold, just how I like it. VS. NONOTESNONOTES

Now What? Now you have a word picture…how do you make it a full introduction paragraph? NONOTESNONOTES

Thesis Statement After the word picture, make a Thesis Statement: – A quick summary of your reasons why – Preferably one sentence

argue a position or outline information

– make sure your thesis reflects the full scope of the prompt. – avoid using a thesis that is too broad or too narrow – make sure your reader can easily identify your thesis sentence (last sentence of first paragraph) – do not just reword the prompt; state your own answer or position.

Let’s focus on two simple types of thesis statements – the outline and the position Outline – This type of thesis statement should give a list of what topics will show up in your paper. – For example….

What do effective students do in order to be successful in school? Effective students manage their time, prioritize their assignments, and organize their work in an agenda planner.

POSITION The thesis statement that takes a position is the one that tells your opinion about a topic. This one doesn’t list anything – it tells me what you think. 24

Outline Thesis List three reasons why this was your best day ever. Thesis statements that tie into the word picture provide for the best transition. From Prompt #1: – With good food, drink, and friends, who wouldn’t think this was the best day ever?

Introduction Prompt #1 It was a very hot day. Sweat was dripping down my face as a passed by the BBQ grill. The smell of chicken roasting over the charcoal grill sent waves of hunger crashing in my stomach. I went to the cooler and removed bottle of my favorite soda. After opening it, I took a long sip. Ice cold, just how I like it. With good food, drink, and friends, who wouldn’t think this was the best day ever?

Practice Prompt #2 Take 10 minutes to write an introduction paragraph (word picture and thesis) to the following prompt: – Write to explain the WORST day you’ve ever had. Remember to use sensory details. PRACTICEPRACTICE

Shoulder Partners Decide who arrived to school the latest – that person shares first (5 minutes). While listening to your partner’s introduction paragraph, pick out the thesis sentence. – Does it explain exactly what your partner’s paper will be about (is it an outline)? Offer suggestions for improving either the word picture (how are the sensory details) or the thesis (is it clearly stated and easily identifiable). Repeat process for the other person (5 minutes).

Answer the Big Questions What separates a good 5-paragraph essay from a bad one? What are the types of thesis statements and why are they important?

Homework Write a sticky note reminder or place in agenda: Write an introduction paragraph that includes a word picture & a thesis statement to this prompt: –Think about a difficult job you have had in your life. Write to explain why it was so difficult. HOMEWORKHOMEWORK