1. Four Square Writing Categorizing Begin with a topic sentence. Then brainstorm using word webs, lists, ideas, brief thoughts or notes

2. Four Square Writing: Picking a topic Step 1 –Box 1 Pick a topic to write about. –For example: “My favorite meal is…” My favorite meal is... 23 4 1 5

3. Four Square Writing: Picking a topic Step 1 –Box 1 Pick a topic to write about. –For example: “My favorite meal is…” My favorite meal is... 23 4 1 5

4. Four Square Writing: Supporting the Topic Sentence (Box 2, 3, and 4) My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 23 4 1 First It’s easy Also It’s fun to eat Third It’s delicious Step 2 –Box 2, 3, and 4 Now ask “Why” Write one or two short phrases that answer “Why” in each box. Remember the reasons or details should support the topic sentence. Box 2, 3, and 4 are going to become paragraphs later.

5. Four Square Writing: Supporting the Topic Sentence (Box 2, 3, and 4) 23 4 1 First It’s easy Also It’s fun to eat Third It’s delicious Step 2 –Box 2, 3, and 4 Now ask “Why” Write one or two short phrases that answer “Why” in each box. Remember the reasons or details should support the topic sentence. Box 2, 3, and 4 are going to become paragraphs later.

6. Four Square Writing: Wrap Up Sentence (Box 5) My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 23 4 1 5 First It’s easy Also It’s fun to eat Third It’s delicious So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat and delicious. Step 3 –Box 5 Time to write a complete sentence using what you have. Take boxes 1, 2, 3, and 4 to write a sentence that wraps it all up in box 5.

7. Four Square Writing: Wrap Up Sentence (Box 5) 23 4 1 5 Step 3 –Box 5 Time to write a complete sentence using what you have. Take boxes 1, 2, 3, and 4 to write a sentence that wraps it all up in box 5.

8. Four Square Writing: Supporting the Details (Box 2, 3, and 4) Step 4 –Asking “Why” again! This time you will ask “Why” for each short phrase in box 2, 3, and 4. Remember, each reason should support the detail of that box. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 23 4 1 5 First It’s easy roll up meat throw in pot pour sauce Also It’s fun to eat twirl on a fork slurp it splatter the sauce Third It’s delicious tomatoes Italian spices filling meat So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat and delicious.

9. Four Square Writing: Supporting the Details (Box 2, 3, and 4) Step 4 –Asking “Why” again! This time you will ask “Why” for each short phrase in box 2, 3, and 4. Remember, each reason should support the detail of that box. 23 4 1 5

10. Four Square Writing: Describing the Supporting Details (Box 2, 3, and 4) Step 5 –Box 2, 3, and 4 Now think of ideas or adjectives that describe your supporting details. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 23 4 1 5 First, it’s easy roll up meat golf balls throw in pot huge cauldron-size pour sauce mama someone Also, it’s fun to eat twirl on a fork looks like a twister slurp it loud smacking sound splatter the sauce like an explosion Third, it’s delicious tomatoes red and tangy Italian spices zippy garlic filling meat like a hamburger So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat and delicious.

11. Four Square Writing: Describing the Supporting Details (Box 2, 3, and 4) Step 5 –Box 2, 3, and 4 Now think of ideas or adjectives that describe your supporting details. 23 4 1 5

12. Four Square Writing: Final Draft Now use each box to write your final draft. Each box is a new paragraph. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. First, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. You simply roll up the meat into golf ball-sized pieces, then you throw it in the pot. I use a huge, cauldron-sized pot. Pour on the store-bought sauce. My favorite brand is Mama someone or other. Also, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. I like to twirl it on my fork. It looks just like a twister. It’s fun to slurp because it makes a loud smacking noise. I always splatter the sauce. When I’m done, it looks like an explosion. Third, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s delicious. I like the tangy taste of red tomatoes. The Italian spices are great, especially the zippy garlic. The meat is filling, like a hamburger. So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy, fun to eat, and delicious.

13. Four Square Writing: Final Draft Now use each box to write your final draft. Each box is a new paragraph.