1. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 1 Organization: Well-organized writing has a beginning, middle, and end. It presents details in a logical order so that readers can follow the ideas easily. Transitional words and phrases express the connection between one idea and another. Using transitional words and phrases effectively will help your writing demonstrate unity and clarity.

2. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 2 Organizational StructureCommon UsesTransitions Chronological: Time order Narrative writing to explain events Informational writing to explain steps in a process Began Next Later At the same time Order of Importance: Least to most important Most to least important Argumentative writing to explain reasons Informational writing to explain details First Another reason However On the other hand Comparison and Contrast: According to similarities and differences Informational writing to show how things are alike or different Similarly In the same way conversely

3. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 3 Activity 2A Analyzing an Excerpt (p. 8) The passage on the following screen was written by Zitkala-Sa, a Dakota Sioux woman who is also known as Gertrude Bonnin. She recalls how as a young girl she tried to catch up with her own shadow. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow it.

4. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 4 Activity 2A Analyzing an Excerpt (p. 8) Standing straight and still, I began to glide after it, putting out one foot cautiously. When, with the greatest care, I set my foot in advance of myself, my shadow crept onward too. Then again I tried it; this time with the other foot. Still again my shadow escaped me. I began to run; and away flew my shadow, always just a step beyond me. Faster and faster I ran, setting my teeth and clenching my fists, determined to overtake my own fleet shadow. But ever swifter it glided before me, while I was growing breathless and hot.

5. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 5 Activity 2A Analyzing an Excerpt (p. 8) 1. List at least four transition words that connect ideas. 2. Of the four types of organization listed in the chart on the previous page, which one best describes the organization of the entire excerpt?

6. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 6 Activity 2A Analyzing an Excerpt (p. 8) 1. List at least four transition words that connect ideas. Sample answers (students should list at least four): began, When, Then, Still, But, while 2. Of the four types of organization listed in the chart on the previous page, which one best describes the organization of the entire excerpt?

7. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 7 Activity 2A Analyzing an Excerpt (p. 8) 1. List at least four transition words that connect ideas. Sample answers (students should list at least four): began, When, Then, Still, But, while 2. Of the four types of organization listed in the chart on the previous page, which one best describes the organization of the entire excerpt? chronological

8. Chapter 1 Characteristics of Good Writing Grade 7 Common Core Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 8 Writing assignment: 1.Imagine you are writing a speech for a president who is running for reelection. 2.Write a paragraph that includes at least three facts from the list below and least three transition words or phrases. 3.Make sure your paper has introduction sentence (state main idea), followed by supporting details, followed by the closing or conclusion sentence. More adults are working than ever before. Air pollution is lower than it has been in fifty years. Immigrants flock to the United States in search of opportunity. About twenty-two percent of children live in poverty. Homicides are the second leading cause of death among teenagers. Many schools reduced their staffs last year because they lacked money.