Writing

There are three reasons writers write: To Persuade, to Inform, or, to Entertain. Author's purpose? Either P, I, or E. Easy as pie:)

Narrative Writing (Writing to Entertain)

The diamond structure (at left) shows the sequence that a successful story takes, as well as a reminder of the key skill elements needed for an entertaining piece of writing. It is not a rigid rule or formula, but rather a basic guide to help students channel their creativity into a story.

Start by writing an entertaining beginning. Start as close to the main event as possible and use a combination of action, dialogue, thought, question, or sound to begin.

Transition to an elaborative detail segment to describe your main character (How old are they? Boy or girl? What are some character traits? How are they feeling? Why?). At some point, you will also write an elaborative detail segment to describe an important setting or a main artifact (To help you fully describe your artifact use the productive questions of: What color is it? What size? What condition is it in? Who did it belong to? What was it used for? What special features does it have?).

Add a little suspense with the 'Magic of Three' and 'Red Flag Words' strategies to keep your reader involved.

It’s time for the Main Event - the biggest part of the story (and the slowest:). Be sure to use a balanced mix of action, description, thoughts, feelings, dialogue and sound to expand your story.

The conclusion will include a solution to the problem or a conclusion to the adventure.

The extended ending is where the main character reflects back on the main event. Use a memory, wish or hope, feelings, or a decision.

Often, in chapter books, each chapter is a repetition of the narrative diamond.

Expository Writing (Writing to Inform)

As an example, here are links to a 'Water' expository essay assignment:

Directions for note-taking portion of writing (rough draft via paper/pencil)

Directions for typing, w/sentence starters (final draft via Google Classroom)

The basic organizational plan for an expository (informational) essay, is as follows:

Introduction Paragraph – The first paragraph should grab the reader’s attention (using a LEAD--which is a quote, statistic, amazing fact, anecdote, and/or descriptive segment) and tell the reader what the entire piece will be about (topic sentence).

Body of the Piece – Each body paragraph should begin with a broad yet distinct main idea sentence, which tells what the paragraph is about, followed by a variety of supporting details. Ideally, there will be one 'Golden Brick' in each paragraph. In fifth grade, we generally plan for three body paragraphs, but it could be more or less, depending on the amount of main reasons needed.

Conclusion Paragraph – The final paragraph should creatively restate the three main ideas and reference the topic. A closing statement which includes the author’s point of view concludes the essay.

Persuasive/Opinion Writing (Writing to Persuade or to Provide Your Opinion)

As an example, here is a link to: 'Hero' Opinion Essay Assignment

The basic organizational plan for an opinion essay is as follows:

Body Paragraphs– Each body paragraph should begin with a broad yet distinct main reason sentence, which tells what the paragraph is about, followed by a variety of supporting details. Ideally, there will be one 'Golden Brick' in each paragraph. In fifth grade, we generally plan for three body paragraphs, but it could be more or less, depending on the amount of main reasons needed.

Conclusion Paragraph – The final paragraph should creatively restate the three main reasons and reference the topic using a word 'referent' (another word to refer to the main subject matter). A closing statement using a 'definitive word or phrase' to include the author’s point of view concludes the essay. We also ask writers to begin the conclusion with a ‘Hypothetical Antidote' which is a strategy to bring the reader into the situation for a moment.

Response to Text (or Constructed Response)

An acronym for the simplest form of response writing is called R.A.C.E. -- Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain. Response writing can be a paragraph, or several paragraphs, depending on the prompt. A better explanation of response writing is to include a restatement of the question/prompt in the opening sentence (R), include evidence and an explanation to support your answer to the question/prompt (A and maybe E), cite and paraphrase the evidence (C), end with a concluding statement.

What Are 'Golden Bricks'?

The use of a quote, statistic, amazing fact, anecdote, and/or descriptive segment in the body paragraph of expository and opinion writing makes your writing stronger and more interesting. Notice that 'golden bricks' are the same strategies used in the LEAD portion of the introduction paragraph.

Transitional Words and Phrases

Transition are important and necessary for the flow of ideas in all types of writing. Transitional words and phrases form idea bridges for the reader to let them know how the information they just read is related to the information they are about to read. They make your writing flow and make sense. Transitions are located within sentences, between sentences, and between paragraphs (but should not be over-used).

Link to a thorough list of transitions, grouped by category (Thank you to SmartWords.org).

A short list of Transitions:

To prove: Because, since, for the same reason, obviously, furthermore, in fact, in addition

To provide an example: for example, for instance, in other words, namely, specifically, to illustrate, to demonstrate, in particular

To show result: accordingly, as a result, consequently, so, thereby, therefore, thus, finally,

To add more information: also, and, as well, besides, equally important, finally, furthermore, in addition

To show cause: as, because, for, since, due to

To show sequence: first, (second, third, fourth, fifth), next, following this, subsequently, consequently, finally, therefore

To show time: afterward, before, currently, eventually, finally, immediately, in the future, in the past, later, meanwhile, next, often, sometimes, soon, subsequently, then, today, when

To summarize ideas: finally, in conclusion, in short, in summary, to sum up, therefore

To compare ideas: in the same way, likewise, similarly, similar to, also, again

To contrast ideas: at the same time, but, conversely, even so, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the one hand, on the other hand, still, yet, in comparison, in contrast, on the contrary, as opposed to, despite, unlike, although, conversely

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