1. Step Up to Writing Introduction

2. Three Kinds of Writing
Narrative
Informative/ explanatory
Argument

3. Paragraph Structure Topic Sentence - states main idea
Key Idea - supports topic sentence
Explain - supports key idea
Conclusion - restates main idea

4. Topic Sentence Green means “go”
Introduces the topic of the paragraph, expresses the main idea, reveals the writer’s purpose

5. Simple Topic Sentence Examples
When I have free time, I enjoy several different hobbies.
Starbucks is one of my favorite places to go get a treat.
Teachers should not assign homework.

6. Key Idea Yellow means “slow down.”
Introduce reasons, facts, details to support the topic sentence.

7. First, I love to snow ski in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Examples:
First, I love to snow ski in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
To begin, Starbucks baristas make the best chai tea latte ever!
First, research shows no connection between student performance and homework. 7

8. Transition Examples First – Another – Next
First – In addition – Equally important
First – Second – Third
First of all – Besides – In addition
To begin – Next – A final
First of all – The next – Another
Initially – Then – After that
One – Another – Finally
To begin – At the same time - Finally
Remember you can bury the Transition
Water safety was the first skill I learned at camp.

9. Explain Red means “stop”
Present examples, evidence and elaboration (“the E’s”) to support key idea.

10. The E’s The E’s Examples Expert opinion Explanations Everyday life
Evidence
Events
Experiences
Expert opinion
Everyday life
Effective quotations
Elaboration
Exact information

11. Examples of E’s (REDS)
To begin, Starbucks baristas make the best chai tea latte ever! The spicy cinnamon and fluffy foam tickle my tongue.
First, I love to snow ski in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I feel exhilerated when I gracefully descend a steep peak.

12. Conclusion
Green means “go back”
Restate topic sentence creatively.

13. 6 Sentence Paragraph Topic Sentence Key Idea (reason, fact, detail)
Explain
Key Idea (reason, fact, detail)
Explain
Conclusion 13

14. Topic Sentence Time!
Even though the year just started, I already really like my new students.

15. Time for a Yellow
Even though the year just started, I already really like my new students. First, I like my students because they are responsible.

16. EVERY Yellow must be supported by a Red!
Even though the year just started, I already really like my new students. First, I like my students because they are responsible. Almost all of them brought in their required materials on the first day of school. Every student completed a friendly letter on time.

17. Add another Yellow
Even though the year just started, I already really like my new students. First, I like my students because they are responsible. Almost all of them brought in their required materials on the first day of school. Every student completed a friendly letter on time. Also, my students are likable because they persevere.

18. What comes after EVERY yellow?
Even though the year just started, I already really like my new students. First, I like my students because they are responsible. Almost all of them brought in their required supplies on the first day of school. Every student completed a friendly letter on time. Also, my students are likable because they persevere. After an unsettling first day of navigating campus with 30 pound backpacks, muscling into the lunch line, and listening to teachers recite unending lists of rules, they came back! They even stuck with my self-portrait art lesson when their drawings looked like bald aliens!

19. Add Conclusion
Even though the year just started, I already really like my new students. First, I like my students because they are responsible. Almost all of them brought in their required supplies on the first day of school. Every student completed a friendly letter on time. Also, my students are likable because they persevere. After an unsettling first day of navigating campus with 30 pound backpacks, muscling into the lunch line, and listening to teachers recite unending lists of rules, they came back! They even stuck with my self-portrait art lesson when their drawings looked like bald aliens! All in all, I can’t wait to see what my students accomplish this year.