1. Writing Guide
Flip Book

2. Weak Verbs Any verb ending in -ing Seems Said Look Am Feels Are Sounds
Smells Am
Are Be
Had
Has
Have Is
Was
Were

3. Transitions To Show Examples: For example To show examples
Specifically
As an example
For instance
To Introduce a Reason:
To begin with
Initially
In addition
Most importantly
To Explain/Clarify a Reason:
To clarify
In other words
By this I mean
Furthermore

4. Transitions Cont. General: To Conclude However As a result Similarly
Equally Important
Certainly
Therefore
To Summarize

5. Text-Based Evidence Terms
The boy was melancholy BECAUSE his dog ran away.
Sally loved the ocean. FOR INSTANCE, she moved to a house overlooking the ocean.
Henry loves whales. FOR EXAMPLE, he often spends hours reading about them.

6. Continued
ACCORDING TO THE TEXT, an anemometer measures the speed of the wind.
The force of the wind is very strong. I know this because THE AUTHOR STATED that the wind could shatter a window.

7. CONTINUED
FROM THE READING I KNOW THAT Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.
IT STATED ON PAGE ______ that hurricanes are very destructive and may have their names retired.

8. Support and Elaboration
Explanation
To exemplify
By this I mean
Literal description
This means that
Nouns, adjectives, verbs
In other words
To clarify
Figurative description
Example
Simile, metaphor, idiom, hyperbole
For example
For instance
An example of

9. Precise Language

10. Personal experience
As a result
I, me, we, us
because
Another’s experience
He, she, they, them
Compare and Contrast
Compared to
But
Cause and Effect

11. Effective Beginnings Prompt: Everyone should know how to read.
Rhetorical Question: How many times today have you used your ability to read?
Present a Startling Fact: A growing number of adults in the United States do not know how to read.
Quote a Respected Source: According to President Obama, every child must learn how to read.

12. Beginnings Cont.
Use a Literary Device: Reading is the pathway to worlds beyond our own.
Make a General Statement: It is nearly impossible to go through life without using your reading skills.
Pose a Challenging Question: Would you be willing to devote some of your time to teaching an adult to read?

13. Let’s Practice! Effective Beginnings
Prompt: Everyone has someone to look up to or a hero.
Rhetorical Question-
Present a Startling Fact-
Quote a Respected Source-
Use a Literary Device
Make a General Statement
Pose a Challenging Question

14. Closing Paragraphs
Echo the Introduction: This brings the reader full-circle.
Ex; If you begin with a scenario, you can end with the same scenario.

15. Closings Cont.
Challenge the Reader: Issue a challenge to your reader in an effort to help them redirect the information and apply it to their own lives.
Ex; Think about how you will respond when you get your next jury summons. What kind of citizen will you choose to be?

16. Closings Cont.
Looking to the Future: Emphasize the importance of your piece and help the reader apply new information in a global context.
Ex; Littering is a significant problem for all of us. One day, our parks will be overrun with trash and our children will have nowhere to play.

17. Closings cont.
Posing Questions: help your reader gain a new perspective on the topic, brings main ideas together to create a new meaning.
Ex; If fewer adults know how to read, how will this impact the workplace in coming years? What will be the effect on our children, as these adults are their role models? Can you imagine the state of our nation 20 years from now if this doesn’t change?