1. Your First Paragraph This is called the introduction.
First few sentences in the story.
Start with a topic sentence.
With these sentences you want to hook the reader.

2. Example – First paragraph
Yesterday I lost my favorite red sweater. It wasn’t in my backpack. I looked for it everywhere at home. I made a list of everywhere the sweater might be.

3. Example- First paragraph
Have you ever felt so happy, you could cry? That’s how I felt last summer when my mom told me I could get a dog! I had wanted a dog for so long. I couldn’t believe I was finally going to get one!

4. Example- First paragraph
First, my mom came to my room to talk to me. She told me since I had gotten good grades at school, I could get a dog! I was so excited, I jumped up in the air!

5. Your Second Paragraph
Tell what actions you took to solve the problem. Be sure to add a lot of detail. Use sequence words.

6. Example – Next paragraph
I searched for my lost sweater at school. I looked in my classroom and the cafeteria. It wasn’t on the playground either. At last I found my sweater in the Lost and Found.

7. Example – Next paragraph
Then we got in the car to drive to the store. I couldn't wait! I smiled the whole way there! When we pulled up I saw that the store had a lot of dogs that needed to be adopted,
When we got to the store. I looked at all of the dogs. They were all so cute. All of the sudden one came up and licked my foot! He was white and fluffy and so adorable. I decided he was the dog for me!
Finally we put him in the car to take him home. He was wagging his tail and sticking his tongue out. On our way home, we stopped to get him some toys, food and a collar.

8. Your Third Paragraph
Tell what happened after the problem was solved. Rephrase the opening using different word. Feelings Lesson learned Hope Update

9. When You’re Writing…
Be sure to use past tense verbs - This story already happened, so it’s in the past! Show feeling! This helps the reader enjoy your writing.

10. Rephrasing the opening

11. Feelings

12. Lesson learned

13. Hope

14. Update

15. Closing
I couldn’t believe I had a dog of my own! I was so happy! Now I’ve had my dog for two months, and he is a really great pet. I think he is the best pet in the world!