Writing

Mini Lesson Expectations Anchor Chart
Writing Conventions 5th Grade Non-Negotiables

Narratives- Shared Experiences of Childhood

Shared Experiences of Childhood Blog

Click here to add to and read our stories to see how we all connect!

Digital Storytelling Example

Let's explore what it's like to be a kid all over the world, then tell stories that will connect us all.

Techniques for Raising the Level of Narrative Writing

*Dream the dream of the story and then write in a way that takes your readers to experience the moment with you

*Revise using all you know about storytelling, not summarizing.

*Use all you know about grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization to edit as you write.

*Tell the story from INSIDE it

*Use tools like our Narrative Checklist to ask, "How does my writing measure up? What do I need to do to improve?"

*Ask, "What is my story really about?" and then write to begin forth that meaning

*Use a story arc to bring out the structure

*Elaborate on the heart of your story

*Incorporate scenes from the past and future to highlight the significance of your story

*Don't simply end stories! Resolve problems, teach lessons, or make changes that tie back to the big meaning of your story.

Strategies for Elaborating on Important Parts

*Slow down the action, telling it bit by bit

*Add dialogue

*Give details

*Show small actions

*Add internal thinking

Questions To Ask Yourself as You Edit

1) Does this make sense? Are there any words or parts missing?

2) Are all my sentences complete? Have I checked for run-ons and fragments?

3) Have I used correct capitalization (for names and the beginning of sentences)?

4) Have I used commas and quotation marks for dialogue?

5) Have I checked to see that all my verbs and subjects agree? Are my verbs in the right tense (past, present, future)?

6) Do the words all seem to be spelled right? Do they look right? Have I checked any that I’m uncertain of?

7) Have I checked for frequently confused words (to, too, two; their, there)?

8) Have I paragraphed and indented?

Body Paragraphs Often Go Like This...

(Reason 1) One reason (thesis) is that...

-For example (evidence a)

-Also (evidence b)

-In addition (evidence c)

(Reason 2) Another reason (thesis) is that...

-For example (evidence a)

-Also (evidence b)

-In addition (evidence c)

(Reason 3) Another reason (thesis) is that...

-For example (evidence a)

-Also (evidence b)

-In addition (evidence c)

Ways to Push Our Thinking

*I see...

*To add on...

*That is why...

*The important thing about this is...

*This gives me the idea that...

*An example of this is...

*This shows...

*This connects to...

*This is important because...

*This is similar to...this is different from...

*This proves...

How to Write an Argument

*Collect evidence that allows you to think through various sides of an argument

*Rehearse by explaining your position and listing your reasons point by point

*Plan your claim and reasons into boxes-and-bullets structure

*Use evidence to support your reasons

*Paraphrase, putting it into your own words

*Quote, then unpack the quote, showing how it relates to the reason

*Introduce the source and explain the connection

*Use "set-up" language to prop up your sources (transitional phrases)

*Analyze and explain evidence

Questions to Help Writers Analyze Evidence/ Fortify their Thinking

*Why did I include this evidence?

*How does this evidence relate back to my claim?

*What makes this particular quote or statistic so important?

*How is this evidence changing my thinking?

Debates

Claims, Reasons, and Evidence- what's the difference?

Nick News Video- Debate Examples

Persuasive Techniques to Sway an Audience

*Focus on what your audience cares about

*Show how your audience will benefit, telling several specific ways

*Use a confident, persuasive voice (not whiny)

*Help your audience visualize your point

*Use references that your audience will understand

*Cite people that your audience would trust/ respect

*Be polite, but assertive- use good eye contact

*Use appropriate body language (sit up straight, be attentive, etc.)

Powerful Introductions Often Include...

*Some background information that makes the topic seem important

*A clear description of both sides of an issue

*A very clear, big, BOLD CLAIM!

*A summary of your reasons so your reader knows what to expect

*Something catchy to get the readers engaged, such as a surprising fact or statistic, a spicy quote, an interesting tidbit, or some HUMOR

*Something personal about you, why you care about this issue, and what kind of research you have done to make yourself an expert

Authors of Convincing Conclusions Often...

*Reconnect to previously states themes

*Connect to your claim and reasons and emphasize why your reasons matter

*Connect to yourself and the life lessons you learned or realized

*Acknowledge counterclaims and refute them

*Leave readers with something to think about

Essayists use phrases to acknowledge and refute counterclaims such as...

-Some people disagree, saying... I challenge this. I don't think...

-Critics argue that... While it might be true that... still all in all...

-Others may say that... But I argue...

-Some people may say... However...

-You might think..... but....

-A common argument against this position is... but...

-It's easy to think... But when you look at the facts

-While some say... Nevertheless

To test arguments to see if they're weak...

Ask yourself: How do I know?

-Weak arguments assume what's true for one is true for all

-Weak arguments attack a person, not a position

-Weak arguments assume a cause-effect relationship that's not proven or true

To Increase the Validity of Your Argument, Alter Language and Tone

-If it isn't ALWAYS true, say....often, sometimes, usually, occasionally, frequently, in many cases, in many instances, on many occasions, commonly, ordinarily

-If it isn't true for EVERYONE, say...many, most, countless, innumerable, a multitude of people, numerous people, scores of people, diverse people