Building Essays:

Building Essays:
Using the Four Square Writing Method

English Language Fellow,

Taiwan

Objectives
Participants will
Become familiar with the Four Sq
uare Writing Model.
Examine examples of the Four Sq
uare Writing Model.
? Create your own essay using
the Four Square Model.

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Teaching and Learning

Company
1204 Buchanan St.,
P.O.Box 10
Carthage, IL 623210010

Introduction

We know different languages have a different st

ructures for writing.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Mandarin
Introduction/Topic
Expand on Topic
Compare & Contrast
Conclusion

English
(1) Introduction /Topic:
(2-3/4) Reason
Detail
Example
Detail
Example
Detail
Example
(4) Conclusion Summarize, Restate Thesis

Introduction
When we

teach math

teach science
teach reading

give you formulas

we

give you a scientific method

give you decoding skills

4 Square Method is a way to learn to write.

(for any grade or any subject)

What is the 4 Square Writing Model?

Four-Square

writing is a met
hod of teaching basic writing s
kills that is applicable across g
rade levels and curriculum are
as.

Forms of Composition

Expository
Narrative
Descriptive / Opinion
Persuasive
Compare & Contrast

What is the 4 Square Writing Model?

Prewriting and organizational

skills are taught through the use
of a graphic organizer.
This visual and kinesthetic aid is
employed to focus writing, to
provide detail and to enhance
word choice.
The visual organizers help
students to
conceptualize, understand, and

Guidelines
Four-Square instruction should be done weekly
to bi-weekly.
It should be accompanied by other writing a
ctivities. Ex. Journal Writing
It is recommended to use the same prompt r
epeatedly when introducing the steps becau
se the familiarity will aid instruction.
It is important for students to understand th
e relationship of ideas as demonstrated in th
e four square format before moving on to para
graphs.

4-Square Primary
Categorizing

Pets

4-Square Primary
Categorizing with Words

zebra
Zoo
monk elepha
nt
ey
lion

4-Square Primary
Examples with a Feeling Sentence

zebra
ZooI like going to
monk the zoo to see
the animals
ey
lion

4-Square Primary
Using Complete Sentences
Box 3
Box 2
Reason:
Reason:
We meet friends.
We learn here.Complete
Sentence:
School is a great
place.

Box 4
Reason:
We do
experiments.

Box 5
Feeling:
I love school.

Writing a Paragraph
Paragraphs are seve
ral sentences on the
same topic (5 or mo
re).
Now we will transfer
the sentences from t
he four blocks to lin
ed paper for paragra
ph building.
While class modelin
g it is best to teach t
his.

School
School is a great
place.
We learn here. We
meet
friends. We do
experiments. I love school.

Adding More Detail

To move from a 5 sentence paragraph to an 8 s
entence paragraph; go back to the 4 Square.
Add one additional detail sentence in each box.
Elaboration: tell more about the topic or tell wh
at is so great about it.
Reason: We meet
Reason: We learn
friends.
here.
Detail: My best
Detail: I like to learn
friend is in my
Complete
science.
class.
Sentence:
School is a great
place.
do

Reason: We
experiments.

Detail: I built a
volcano yesterday.

Feeling
Sentence:
I love school.

School
School is a great place. I
like to
learn science. It is my favorite
subject.
We meet many friends here. My
best
friend is in my class. Her name
is Elsa.
We do many experiments in

Moving to a Multiple Paragraph Essay

Reason: Friends

Reason: Learn
1. Share lunches (ex. diff.
food)
1. Read (ex.
2. Invite over (ex. after
letter/sounds)
studying)
2. Math (ex. numbers/
3. Do homework together
add)
Reason: Play
School is a great
(ex. have
place.
3.
(ex.
world)
1. Science
In centers
(ex.
edu. Qs)
game)
School is a great place
because we learn,
2. On playground (ex.
meet friends, and
Recess)
3. Recess (ex. 10 min. play.
break)

School
School is a great place.
We learn here. We learn letters and sounds for reading. We
study numbers
and addition for math. We are also taught about the world around
us in science.
We meet many friends at school. I like to share my lunch with
my friends, so I
get different foods. I like to invite my friends from school over to
my house when
we are done studying. Sometimes, I need to ask my friends how to
do the
homework assigned by the teacher.
There are many opportunities to play during school. I can play
educational

Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transiti

on Between Ideas
By now the thesis is developing i
nto three reasons.
These reasons should be differen
t from each other and therefore
necessitate the use of transitions
& connecting words.
Connecting words can be explain
ed as the little sticking out part
of the puzzle

Connecting words hold the diffe

rent parts of the puzzle togethe
r!!

Wall Poster
Green

Yellow

Yellow

Red

Color the border of this wall poster

green.
One reason
First
For example
One example
To begin with
To start with

Color the border of this wall poster yellow.

Second
Third
Another reason
Another example
Also
As well as
Too
In addition
Additionally

Color the border of this wall poster red.

Last
Finally
In conclusion
In summary
In short
So you can see
As one can see
To summarize
Hence

Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transit

ions Between Ideas
First,
Learn
1. Read
2. Math
3.
In science
addition,

Also,
Friends
1. Share lunches
2. Invite over
3. Do homework together
School is a great

Play
1. In centers
2. On playground
3. Recess

As you can see,

place.

School is a great
place because we
learn, meet friends,
and play.

School
School is a great place.
First, we learn here. We learn letters and sounds for reading. We
study numbers
and addition for math. We are taught about the world around us in
science.
Also, we meet many friends at school. I like to share my lunch with
my friends, so I
get to try different foods. I like to invite my friends from school over to my
house when
we are done studying. Sometimes, I need to ask my friends how to do the
homework
assigned by the teacher.
In addition, there are many opportunities to play during school. I
can play educational
during centers. I play with my friends on the playground during recess. I

Expanding the Introduction

Use the Same Graphic Organi

zer!
Topic Sentence
(Center of 4 Square & Box 2)
Prepare your Readers
(Give them a little more information in
boxes )
Wrap-Up Sentence
(Without connecting word in box 5)

1.
2.
3.
4.

Ultimatum
Question
Proverb
Quote

Expanding the Introduction

Hook:
Prepares Readers:
For students, this
You can expand your
environment can be
mind and socialize
either a prison or a
with many new
gateway for freedom,
School is acompanions.
great
however;
place.
Wrap-Up Sentence:
Prepares Readers:
School is a great place
Ideas are created
because we learn,
and formed as you meet friends, and
play.
prepare for the

future.

Improving the Concluding Paragraph

Wrap-Up Sentence with Connecting Word / W
ords
Personal / Reflective Sentence, Question, or E
xclamation
Example:
As you can see, school is a great place becaus
e we learn, meet friends, and play. I will always
cherish the friendships and relationships I mad
e while learning.

ALWAYS MODEL!
When moving from the inform
ation from the 4-Square to the
multiple paragraph essay, mod
el by:
The whole class builds a 4-Squar
e.
Build the story one sentence at a
time
As the composition is built one s
entence at a time, students copy
it down.
During this time, the teacher inte
grates rules of composition.

Make Your Own 4-Square Templ

ate
Connecting Word:
_______________________________
1.
2.
3.
(4.)
Connecting Word:
______________________________
__
1.
2.
3.
(4.)

Connecting Word:
______________________________
__
1.
2.
3.
(4.)
Connecting Word:
Wrap-Up Sentence:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
___

Different Types of Essays

ExpositoryUsually nouns in boxes 2-4
NarrativeBoxes 2-4 are events or verbs
Descriptive & PersuasiveInformation in boxes 2-4

Narrative

In the beginning
Cat food commercial came
on

During the commercial

My cat got angry
1.

Arched his back

1.

Dancing cats

2.

His hair stood up

2.

Singing about food

3.

Hissed aloud

3.

I said How cute

The day my pet spoke to me
Who? My cat and I
What? Relaxing
Just then
Where? At home
When? In the evening
He spoke to me
Why? It had been a long day
1. Called the commercial
Since that day
foolish
Never spoken again
2.

Said the food was gross

Stopped buying food

3.

Told me never to buy it

again

My cat is not allowed to

watch TV.

One evening I was relaxing at home. My cat and I were watching televisi
on. It had been a long day, and I needed some time to wind down.
In the beginning of our favorite show, a commercial came on for a brand
of cat food I usually buy. This commercial had adorable little dancing cats.
The cats were singing about the cat food. I thought it was cute, and I laugh
ed out loud.
During this commercial my cat got angry. He stood up and arched his bac
k. The hair on his back was standing up. He let out an ear-splitting scream.
Just then, he started talking. He called the commercial foolish and snarl
ed at the television. My cat told me that brand of cat food was gross. The
n he told me never to buy it again. I had always thought that he liked the st
uff!
Since that day my cat has not spoken again. I did stop buying that brand
of cat food. But because of his ill-mannered hissing and growling, my cat has
had a limit placed on his television time.

Descriptive Essay
One reason
The grass

Also
Memorial Park

1. Green

1. Plaques

2. Neat

2. Jerseys

3. No weeds
3. Baseballs
Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place.
Too

As one can see

The electricity

1. Always there
2. Shouting fans
3. Memory of greatness

Yankee Stadium is a
beautiful place because
of the grass, Memorial
Park and the electricity

Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place. The beauty can be seen in the

grass and Memorial Park, and it can be felt in the electricity in the air.
I love to visit there.
One reason it is so beautiful is the grass. It is always frog-green.
The lawn is manicured and perfectly cut. Weeds are prohibited from ent
ering.
Also, Memorial Park is a special place. One can view the plaques tha
t have so delicately engraved in remembrance. There are jerseys to vie
w that were well-worn by the greats. They have tattered, old baseballs
which have priceless signatures.
The electricity in the air is beautiful, too. It is always there, and y
ou can see it in the eyes of the children visiting. The shouting of the fa
ns sounds like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the ears of a baseball lov
er. One can sense the memory of greatness because their spirits live in
the air at Yankee Stadium.
As one can see, Yankee Stadium is a beautiful place because of the g
rass, Memorial Park and the electricity in the air. You should catch a ga
me today.

Expository Essay
One reason
Big Kitchen

Also
Fireplace

1. Room to cook

1. Warm

2. Lots of food

2. Crackling

3. Big refrigerator

3. Smoky smell

My home is a special place.

Third
My Porch
1. Screened
2. Relaxing
3. Cool

In summary
My home is a special
place because it has a
big kitchen, a fireplace
and a porch.

My home is a special place. It is special because it has a fire

place, a big kitchen, and a porch. It is a wonderful place to live.
One reason my home is special is because I love my big kitchen
. It has plenty of room to cook. There is a lot of room for all th
e food I like to eat. I like my large refrigerator most of all.
Also, my fireplace is wonderful. On chilly nights it keeps my
warm as a mitten. I love to listen to the crackling. The smoky s
mell reminds me of the days when I go camping.
Third, my home has a terrific porch. The porch is screened,
which is lucky for me. I am a bug magnet! My porch is a great pl
ace for relaxing. Even on warm nights the porch is cool because y
ou can enjoy the evening breezes.
In summary, my home is special because it has a big kitchen, a
fireplace and a porch. I couldnt imagine living anywhere else.

Persuasive Essay

One reason
Chores

Also
Study Hard

1. Trash

1. Spelling

2. Walk dog

2. Math

3. Do dishes

3. Science

Kids should get bigger allowances.

In addition
Use Manners
1. Please
2. Thank you
3. Cover mouth when

Hence
Kids should get bigger
allowances because we do
chores, study hard and use
our manners.

Kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores. Kids are

always studying hard. We even use manners! It isnt easy being a kid
, and we deserve a little reward.
One reason for a larger allowance is all the chores we do. We ta
ke out stinky trash every night. Walking the dog is really not fun. A
nd who likes doing dishes?
Also, kids study hard, and that should be worth something. Spelli
ng words take a long time to learn. For math we have to add and sub
tract. Science homework keeps us busy, too.
In addition, kids use their manners, so they should get something in r
eturn. Why do you think we say please? Thank you is another wa
y we are polite. Lets face it, we dont cover our mouths while yawnin
g for nothing.
Hence, kids should get bigger allowances because we do chores, study
hard and use our manners. How can you disagree?

Four Square in the Language Classroom

Four square is a way to organize thoughts. It is not the wr
iting program. However, four square exercises can be pu
blished by following the writing process.

Brainstorming: Generating ideas

Organizing: Four square or other methods
Drafting: Rough or first draft
Revising: Revision of content and style
Editing: Editing for surface features, punctuation, spelli
ng, capitals, etc.

Remember this is a slow process. Try not to over tea

ch.

Other Uses
Speeches: Use the format for organizing a
nd giving a speech.
Reading Comprehension:
Have Ss create a 4-Square from a passage wri
tten by an author. Discuss the organization.
Have students create a 4-Square using a pape
r written by another student.
Cut apart a Ss composition by sentences. Hav
e Ss draw a sentence at a time and reconstru
ct the composition, then reproduce it on char
paper.

Other Uses
An excellent way to review or summarize
information learned about a specific proc
ess.
Where are
they?

What are
they?

Volcano
es
How do they
operate?

Volcanoes are
a powerful,
natural force.

Workers

Resources

Communi
ty
Transportatio
n

The workers,
resources, and
transportation are
important to a
community.

But Ellen..

What
about
motivatio
n??

CHOICE!

Select a person in one of the

folders and describe their life.
Athletes
Authors
Artists
Film Stars

Scientists
Musicians
Political
Leaders

Writing Bingo

Try for one more BINGO this month. Be sure to use your writing goals and our class rubric to guide your work .

Recipe

Invitation

Newspaper
Article

Thankyou Note

Email request Letter to a pen

for Information pal, friend or
relative
Short Story

Advertisement Cartoon

Strip
Letter to
Your
Teacher

Letter to
the editor

Proposal to
Improve
Something

FREE

Directions to
one place to
another
Skit or scene

YOUR Choice

Grocery or
shopping list

Poem

Instructions

Journal for a
Week

Design a
web page

Rules for
a game
Interview

Schedule for
your work
Greeting
Card
Book Think
Aloud

Lets Try!
Prepare the g
raphic orga
nizer.
Now fold you
r paper into
4 squares.

Writing Prompts
Writing Situation: Everyone has a
fond memory of a special birthday.
Think about a birthday that stood o
ut among all the others.
Directions for Writing: Write a p
aragraph/ essay telling about your
favorite birthday.

Early in the day,

My grandmother threw
me a surprise party.
1. favorite cake
2. tons of
presents
3. exciting games

After lunch,

My parents gave me a
wonderful gift.
1. golden retriever
2. named Goldie
3. best friend

I will never forget

Later,
my sixth birthday.
My friends and I
Indeed,
went to the zoo.
It was the best
1. elephant ride
birthday ever.
2. walked for
miles

Getting a year older may be bad for some, but I

will never forget my sixth birthday. The attention
that I received from friends and family made me
feel warm inside. It was a very special day for me.
Early in the day, my grandmother threw me a
surprise party. She baked my favorite chocolate
fudge cake. I got tons of presents. We had such
fun playing exciting games.
After lunch, my parents gave me a wonderful
gift. They surprised me with a golden retriever
puppy. I named her Goldie. She is my best friend
today.
Later, my friends and I went to the zoo. We rode
the elephants. The zoo was so large we walked for
miles. Finally we gave up and rode the train.
Indeed, it was the best birthday ever. The

Directions: Complete the

four square with three
sentences and a feeling
sentence. Then write the
paragraph on the lines
below.

__________ __________
__________ __________
__________ __________
Its great to______
have a
______
pet.
__________ Feeling
__________ Sentence:__
__________ __________
__________ __________
________
______

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Writing Assessment Scoring Rubric

Criteria

Score 1
Deficient

Score 2
Flawed

Score 3
Limited

Score 4
Competent

Score 5
Strong

Score 6
Outstanding

Organization

Incoherent

Weak
organization

Inadequate
organization

Adequately
organized

Generally well
organized

Well organized

Development

Undeveloped
No details

Not developed
Little or no
relevant details

Not developed
Does not explain
develop key ideas

Developed
Explains and
illustrates some
key ideas

Generally well
developed
Explains and
illustrates most
key ideas

Well developed
Clearly
explains and
illustrates key
ideas

Language Syntax

Limited or
inappropriate
word choice

Limited or
inappropriate
word choice

Limited or
inappropriate word
choice

Adequate facility
in the use of
language

Demonstrates
some syntactic
variety
Facility in use
of language

Strong
Syntactic variety

Mechanics

Serious and
persistent
writing errors

Serious errors in
mechanics,
usage, sentence
structure, or word
choice

Accumulation of
errors in mechanics,
usage, sentence
structure

Some errors in
mechanics/ usage

Generally few
errors in
mechanics/
usage

Few errors in
mechanics/
usage

Resources to Help!
Four Square Writing Method: A Unique Ap
proach to Teaching Basic Writing Skills for
Grades 1-3 by Judith S. Gould.
Four Square Writing Method Grade 4-6 by
Judith S. Gould.
Four Square: The Total Writing Classroom
for grades 5-9 by Judith S. Gould.
Writing Workouts That Work: By the Autho
rs of Four Square Writing by Judith Gould.