1. sentences, PARAGRPAHS, AND COMPOSITIONS

2. Writing Strong Sentences
To write strong paragraphs, you need strong sentences.
Combine Sentences- Putting information from one sentence into another can make a more powerful sentence.
Before: Video games can be effective educational tools. They can help teach many subjects.
After: Video games, which can help teach many subjects, can be effective educational tools.
Use Compound Elements- You can form compound subjects, verbs, or objects to help the flow.
Before: Students can play video games on their laptops. Students can also play video games on their cell phones.
After: Students can play video games on their laptops and cell phones.

3. Writing Strong Sentences
Form Compound Sentences- You can combine two sentences into a compound sentence.
Before: Video games can motivate students to learn. They must have educational value.
After: Video games can motivate students to learn, ,but they must have educational value.
Use Subordination- Combine two related sentences by rewriting the less important one as a subordinate clause.
Before: Video games can take time away from exercise. That can be unhealthy.
After: Video games can take time away from exercise, which can be unhealthy.

4. Writing Strong Paragraphs
A topic sentence summarizes the main idea of a paragraph.
Your supporting sentences support the topic sentence (main idea) of the paragraph.
Supporting sentences might tell interesting faces, describe events, or give examples. In addition, the supporting sentences should also provide a smooth transition, so that the paragraph reads clearly and logically.

5. Composing Your Piece Parts of a Composition
Introduction- Introduces the focus of the composition, usually in a thesis statement.
Engage the reader’s interest.
Body- Just as the supporting statements develop the ideas of a topic sentence, the body of a composition develops the thesis statement and main idea.
Provides details that help expand on the thesis statement.
Arranged in logical order.
Conclusion- Concludes the composition.
Restate or summarize thesis statement in conclusion.
More effective to recast the thesis in other words.
Reinforce the importance of the main idea.

6. Using Writing Traits to Develop an Effective Composition
Ideas- The information presented is:
significant, the message or perspective is strong, ideas are original.
Organization- A well organized composition flows easily from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph.
It smoothly progresses from one idea to the next, indicating the connections between ideas with transitions.
Voice- The individual “sound” of a writer’s writing, reflecting the writer’s personality and perspective.
A well written piece has a distinctive voice that expresses the writer’s individuality.

7. Using Writing Traits to Develop an Effective Composition
Word Choice- good writers give their writing energy and help readers understand their exact meaning
By choosing words with precision, and by using vivid words to create images.
Sentence Fluency- Sentences flow smoothly
They do not sound choppy or awkward.
The meaning and the rhythm of the sentences work together.
Use a variety of sentence structures and patterns.
Conventions- Communicates clearly to readers and reflects a good command of:
Spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, usage, and sentence structure.