1. Paragraph Writing

2. Paragraph Writing Essays are made up of paragraphs!
A paragraph is a group of sentences that develop ONE topic.
A new paragraph is signaled by indenting the first line!
Paragraphs have a beginning, middle and end.

4. Claim Thesis statement, Position statement, Topic sentence, Main Idea
Your purpose for writing
What you are going to prove
Use key words from the writing prompt in your claim
Include the title and author

5. Transitions
MANY PARAGRAPHS USE TRANSITION WORD SETS THAT HELP THE PARAGRAPH FLOW MORE SMOOTHLY
EXAMPLES:
First….Second….Third…
First….Another….Next
One….Another….Finally….
One….Then….Another
First…In addition….Equally important….
To start….Furthermore….Additionally….Lastly….
In the first place….After that….Later on….At last….

6. Evidence Information used to support your argument or claim
Facts, Reasons, Incidents, Examples, Statistics, (F.R.I.E.S.) and/or details from the text that support your claim
Can be a direct quote, paraphrase, or data
Use in-text citations to note the source of your information.

7. Reasoning The “Why” Demonstration of your thinking
Way in which evidence proves your claim

8. Conclusion
Restate your claim in other words
Sum up your thoughts

9. CONVENTIONS Third person POV
Text evidence in quotations with in-text citations
Transition words
Spelling
Capitalization
Grammar
Complete sentences
Punctuation

10. PRESENTATION Quality work and effort are apparent
The overall piece is neat and pleasant in appearance
Correct format is used for final product (Typed, proper margins, paragraph structure)

11. Sample
Van Hoosen Middle School has an outstanding staff. First of all, they work hard at preparing worthwhile activities for students to learn such as web quests and experiments. The teachers are dedicated professionals to their lessons. In addition, teachers also attend conferences, seminars, workshops, and graduate classes. They spend a great deal of time learning themselves because teachers value education. Furthermore, all of the Van Hoosen staff value their role in preparing young minds for the future. They work to provide students with a safe, respectful, and responsible environment. In conclusion, the Van Hoosen staff is exceptional.

12. The Important Book Margaret Wise Brown
After reading the Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown write a CERC paragraph about one of the objects below.
Spring A computer A pencil Paper A dog A flashlight Fall Summer A book A cookie A bike A tree Winter Water

13. The Important Book CERC
Kathy Adams #1
Adams
ELA 8 2nd Hour
15 September 2016
The Important Book CERC
After reading The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown it is easy to see that simple objects have important characteristics such as __an apple__. First, the important thing about an apple is that it is round. ___show your thinking about why it’s important an apple is round_________________. Second, __another important characteristics of an apple________________________________________. ___ show your thinking about why it’s important an apple is the characteristic above________________________________________. Third, __another important characteristics of an apple___________________________________________. ___ show your thinking about why it’s important an apple is the characteristic above__________________________. In conclusion, the important thing about an apple is that it is ___________, ______________, and _______________________.

14. Claim (thesis statement, position statement) What you are writing about or trying to prove Hints: Use key words from the writing prompt to help you write your claim Use the title and author of the text in your claim _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting Evidence / Text Evidence
Hint: Facts, Reasons, Incidents, Examples, Statistics, (F.R.I.E.S.) and/or details from the text that support your claim
Reasoning
Hint: Use your words to demonstrate your thinking about how the evidence proves your claim