5 Paragraph Essay

Objective: To familiarize students with INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS

1. Students will write introductory paragraphs on three topics for possible use in a later paper.

Your favorite pastime
Your pet peeve
Music
Pizza

2. Please be sure to include all elements of the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
-If you have any questions, please refer to Tuesday's blog.
-There is a comprehensive overview of the 5 Paragraph essay and examples for each section (Including the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH)

1.5.11 d WRITE WITH A COMMAND OF THE STYLISTIC ASPECTS OF COMPOSITION
1.5.11c WRITE WITH CONTROLLED ORGANIZATION
1.5.11a WRITE WITH A SHARP , DISTINCT FOCUS
1.5.11 b WRITE USING WELL-DEVELOPED CONTENT APPROPRIATE FOR THE TOPIC

Peer Editing

2 Day lesson

Today we will be peer editing days for the PSSA prompts that were completed in class yesterday. We will be going over the writing rubric that the PSSA prompts are scored on. Everyone will get a copy of the rubric I will be breaking everyone into groups of four. Each person will read ALL of their partners' papers.

Be sure to compare the papers to every different aspect of the writing rubric. Be sure to also look for the following:

Spelling errors
Any changes in person, especially 2ND person (you).
Capitalization errors
Missing punctuation (periods, commas, question marks, etc.)
Run on sentences
Repetition
Proper Transitions between paragraphs
No contractions
No netspeak (lol, l8tr, u, cuz)
No slang


Aside from errors you will also be helping your partners by making sure that they have all of the elements of a 5 Paragraph essay within their paper. You will need to mark the following in your partners paper:

Thesis
Blueprint
Motivator
Clincher

Make sure that every supporting paragraph in your partners' paper follows their blueprint as well.
Be sure to ask your partners if the thesis and blueprint you pointed out in their paper was what they originally intended, if not find out what they really intended to write about so they can clarify when they rewrite their paper.

Whenever you find an error within a paper be sure to mark it.
If you feel that something is not right within a paper: turn the paper over, write down what is wrong and why you feel it is wrong, then initial next to your explanation.

Work together on this!!
One person should not be doing all of the work.



You will have one period once you have completed your proofreading to compile the results from all of your peers. You will then be allowed to work on revising your papers based on the feedback you received during the proofreading exercise. This paper will count as a 100 point test grade, so be sure to take this very seriously. I will be looking for everything mentioned above, so there is no reason that anyone should not do well.




Academic Content Standard:
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus
1.5.11C Write with controlled organization

Monday:
Plan your response to the writing prompt
Jot down notes about the points you wish to make
write an outline and begin a rough draft of your material
-Be sure to use the 5 paragraph essay form

Timed Prompt

-Writing a persuasive essay

1. Teacher read PSSA instructions to the class.
2. Students will write for 30 minutes on the following prompt:

Write a letter convincing the administration to change our current cafeteria system. (i.e. incorporate a fast food restaurant into our cafeteria, revamp the current lunch system, or allow students to leave school during lunch time)

*State your opinion clearly
*Support your opinion with specific details
*Present your ideas clearly and logically
*Use words and well-constructed sentences
*Correct any errors in spelling, punctuation and capitalization


HINT:
Allow 4-5 minutes of the session to set your focus. This will help you leave enough time to develop your content and organize your ideas during the 30 minute session

Because a clear focus will help you complete the other stages more easily and successfully, you should work carefully


Tuesday
review your writing prompt
review your outline and rough draft
revise and edit your rough draft

5 paragraph essay form

1. Students will review the form and technique for writing a 5 paragraph essay.
2. Students will become familiar with the various parts of the 5 paragraph essay

The five paragraph essay follows a defined format. The first paragraph introduces us to the thesis of the essay and directs us to the three main supporting subtopics. The second through fourth paragraphs are all similar in format. They individually restate the subtopics, and are developed by giving supporting information. The fifth and last paragraph restates the main thesis idea and reminds the reader of the three main supporting ideas that were developed. All of these paragraphs are important.
The introductory paragraph is the place in which the writer introduces the reader to the topic. It is important to make this a clear and limited statement. This is where the writer grabs the reader's attention. Because of its purpose, it is often the first sentence of the paragraph. It is followed by three subtopics that develop the thesis. Between this paragraph and all paragraphs of the essay, there needs to be some kind of a transition word, phrase, or sentence.
Next, the body of the essay contains paragraphs two through four. They are all similarly constructed. Their topic sentences are restatements, often in original form, of the three supporting ideas presented in the first paragraph. The subtopic of each of the body paragraphs is again supported by three or more supporting sentences. These cement, in the reader's mind, the relevancy and relationship of each of the subtopics to the thesis statement.
Finally, the fifth paragraph is the summary paragraph. It is important to restate the thesis and three supporting ideas in an original and powerful manner as this is the last chance the writer has to convince the reader of the validity of the information presented. Because the purposes of the first and fifth paragraph are so similar that some writers construct them at the same time. They will edit them, as necessary, as they do with each and every part of the essay.
It is important to reiterate that each of the paragraphs is joined together by a transition word, phrase or sentence. Transitions help the reader to follow the flow of the logic and sequencing. All of the essay types follow this basic transition format. However, there is more latitude with the narrative essay because of its nature.


To put it more visually, the structure model has been color coded and looks like this:

A. Opening paragraph:
Motivator
Brief Expansion of topic
Thesis Statement
Blueprint (*This contains subtopic 1, subtopic 2, and subtopic 3)
Transition
Introduction
http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/intro.html

B. Three Body Paragraphs
*The body paragraphs will follow the order of the three blueprint ideas

Topic sentence (Each body paragraph will restate subtopics 1,2, &3)
Specific detail /Example (Several specific examples must be used for each body paragraph)
Restate concept of each paragraph's point
(TRI Paragraphs)
Transition

*Example of body paragraph 1:

Restate Subtopic One
First Supporting Detail or Example
Second Supporting Detail or Example
Third Supporting Detail or Example
Transition
Supporting Paragraphs
http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/paragraph_development.htm

C. Conclusion / Summary Paragraph
Make final points to sum up the essay. Restate / rephrase the thesis statement to stress the main topic of the essay.

Synthesis of main topic
Synthesis of Subtopic One
Synthesis of Subtopic Two
Synthesis of Subtopic Three
Summary Paragraph
http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/intro.html

Sample 5 paragraph essay:

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/
The Five Paragraph Essay - Here is a sample to show you hot it all fits together. (Graphic organizer)
http://www.taftcollege.edu/newTC/Academic/LiberalArts/OWL/SAMPFIVE.HTML- a second example

TIP:
-Remember, the thesis statement must be consistent throughout the paper. Each paragraph must reflect one aspect of the thesis statement. This allows for strong focus, content development, organization and adds to the style of the paper.

Review PSSA format

1. Go to the PDE website and review rubrics, essay evaluations and test structure of the PSSA

2. Discuss the content of the exam: Discuss evaluation examples

http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/lib/a_and_t/Gr11WritingSamp.pdf

1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus

Welcome to Comp. 1!!

Composition I focuses on improving student writing skills.

This year we will be exploring narrative, informative, descriptive, and persuasive writing.

Students will become familiar with standards and terminology for the PSSA.

Every Friday we will part from formal writing and jump into our journals.

All work will be graded. Students MUST meet deadlines. Late work will not be accepted.
All work must be completed. Partial essays, projects and journals will receive a zero.

Written Assignment:

In your journal respond to the following prompt:

Hollywood producers are making a film based on your life and have put you in charge of casting. They want it as realistic as possible, so they ask that you pick actors and actresses who look the part. Who would you pick to play your family and friends, and, more importantly, who will play you?

Writing the story:

1. Now that your research is complete, it is time to put it all together
2. All stories must have an introduction giving background about the characters and an introduction to your plot.
3. Initial details must be explained to your readers
4. Within the story, you may have personal journal entries that are dated. They can tell stories and accounts of your ordeal on your island.
5. The essay must be presented as a story with characters, a plot structure, theme, details and conclusion.
6. Remember to follow all of the rules from the assignment. You must be stranded for at least 6 months.
7. Enjoy your journey

Students will review the format for a NARRATIVE ESSAY:

NARRATIVE ESSAY:

Narrative/ Imaginative Writing- A story, actual or fictional, expressed orally or in writing

Function of Narrative Writing- Encourages creativity and speculation, and offers readers an opportunity to understand the emotions and actions of writers and others

Types of Narrative Writing- Autobiographical account, personal narrative, verifiable account, memoir, fictional story, sensory response, character study, descriptive writing, reflective essay

Tips:
1. Set a purpose-- decide on the reason for your writing

2. Select an Audience-- The people who will read the piece of writing



Students will write an essay using narrative essay format

-The story will entail students being stranded on an island. They may take one person or a pet, three objects, one survival tool, and a change of clothing. Students must not find normal civilization for at least six months. (Civilization can be on your island or a nearby region)

--You must NAME your island

- 2 item may float ashore: No transportation devices, No communication devices, No "electrical" items.

--YOUR VESSEL MAY NOT FLOAT ASHORE

-Students will tell how you arrived on the island, where you decided to live, how you set up "Home", daily routines, stories of how you survived on a daily basis.
-All stories must be authentic to the specified location
-What happens after 6 months.
-Are you saved or do you return to your past life?
-What do you do to pass the time or have fun?

NO COMMUNICATION DEVICES; ELECTRICAL ITEMS LIKE AN IPOD...ONLY REG. BATTERY LIFE.........AFTER THAT, IT'S DEAD!

A. Students will select an area in the world where their island will be located

-Students will research the area in which they are stranded.

--Dangers such as poisonous snakes, insects and plants
(Also, find flowers that are safe to eat or can be used for seasonings. How do you get salt from salt water?)

-You will want to research trees/ types of wood for building and burning

--Plants, animals, climate/ weather, people, foods, customs, seasons, water temps., types of natural disasters...ex. tornadoes, volcanoes

--Original settlers

--Sea life, nuts, berries (any type of vegetation)

--All content must be appropriate for school and approved by Mrs. C

1.4.11.A Write narrative pieces
1.5.11A Write with a sharp, distinct focus