OVERVIEW
This year students will be writing, often. They will be working with the three main types of writing including:
expository, argumentative, and narrative.
Students will also be doing text-dependant analysis writings as well. This page will provide resources to help the students create these writings. Please check out the bottom of the page for a link for some very helpful grammar practice.
Idea Generation
Often, idea generation is the most difficult problem to help students overcome. They get, for lack of better word, "stumped" and eventually sit staring at the blank page as precious minutes tick by. The following slide show goes over some tips on how to avoid the "stumped" phase of writing. The import topics are free writing, clustering and the 5 W's (AKA journalists' questions). These techniques should help when getting stalled for ideas to fill out that graphic organizer.
Graphic Organizer
This is the standard writing graphic organizer for writing prompts. The students will be need to be able to recreate this from memory
balnk_pdf_revised_writing_graphic_organizer.pdf | |
File Size: | 96 kb |
File Type: |
Paragraph Transitions
One of the first lessons we will work on this year is using transitions in writing, especially between paragraphs. It is a mark of an experienced writer when they can seamlessly tie together their thoughts using transitions. The following video will detail some key points to know.
Paragraph Introductions
One of the key elements to master in writing process is learning how to write a transition that will catch the readers attention. One of the most important parts of that introduction is the "hook." In the video below, the narrator describes several possible hooks that can be used as well as the importance of having a clear transition the leads the reader into the thesis or thesis statement. These three elements (hook, transition statement, and thesis) will have the writer creating audience grabbing introductions in no time.
Essay Conclusions
The purpose of a conclusion is so that the reader knows the essay is coming to an end and it gives the writer a chance to leaver the reader with their final thought or a lasting impression. The struggle with writing conclusions for most students is how to paraphrase or restate their main points without becoming overtly repetitive. The following video gives many tips and suggestions on how to write an effective and interesting conclusion.
Essay Structure & Thesis Statement
The basic structure of a student's essay will evolve once they have become experienced writers. This year students will begin the process still focusing on the five paragraph format which includes: a creative introduction including the thesis statement, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The following video will detail the basic structure outline of a formal writing and explain a simple Thesis Statement construction.
Argumentative Writing:
The Counter-Argument
One of the writing styles students will be focusing on heavily this year is argumentation. In doing so, the students will examine three components that go into crafting an argument: ethos (ethics), logos (logic), and pathos (passionate appeal). In doing so, they will study how other authors utilize these tools to make convincing arguments as well. Lastly, they will learn how to craft a counter argument that will increase their ethical appeal. The following video discusses how to craft a counter argument into writing and the importance of including it in argumentative writing.
Works Cited, Parenthetical Citations, & Annotated Bibliographies
Another elements to master in the writing process is learning how to write a proper citation. When students move through their edcaution from middle school into high school, or possibly farther, writing citations is a critical component to any type of formal essay or research project they will be asked to complete. Below are links and a video that will help the students to complete some of the course work they will be required to do this year including creating a works cited page, adding proper parenthetical citations, and completing an annotated bibliography.
MLA Citations
Purdue OWL Citation Guide:
General Format Works Cited Page Parenthetical Citation Annotated Bibliography |
The links to the left will take you directly to Purdue OWL MLA citation guide book. Depending on what resources you need (general format, annotated bibliography, works cited page, etc....). These links will help in creating these resources and give detailed examples for each. The student may also want to use an online citation creator. The links for those are listed below. |
244 Writing Prompts
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Click here to be redirected to a list of writing prompts to use as practice. They are not categorized, but there are a plethora of ones to work and practice.
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Grammar Practice
Click the button below for a link to a great website, IXL, that has very specific pointed grammar sections by topic and practice problems that are grade level specific and PA Core aligned.
This will help in preparing for the PSSAs and improve writing.
This will help in preparing for the PSSAs and improve writing.