WRITING

SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPHS & Composition

OVERVIEW: This activity guides students through the writing process for a successful five-sentence paragraph with varied sentence beginnings. Repeating this process frequently with many, varied topics teaches students to use variety to create interesting paragraphs .
1st objective: Students will be able to identify gerund, gerund phrases, infinitive, infinitive phrases, prepositions, and prepositional phrases. 2 nd objective: As a result of this activity, the students will each write a five-sentence paragraph with varied sentence beginnings, correct spelling and punctuation, and appropriate margins. 3rd objective: Students will write a fourteen-sentence extended paragraph. 4th objective: Student will write a five-paragraph composition. ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES: Each step in this activity should be modeled by the teacher and result in a sample paragraph for the students. 1. Each student lists three material things they wish for, three happenings that would make them happy, and three places they would like to visit. sample: THINGS Ferrari Diamonds Lottery HAPPENINGS Peace on Earth Energy consciousness More recycling PLACES Australia Jamaica Italy

2.

Each student circles one favorite item from each list. The following five sentence patterns are used as each student writes his/her sentences. Sentences are all numbered and begun at the left margin in this step. A later step puts them in paragraph form. For each pattern, the teacher models first, students give oral examples, then students write their own sentences.

3.

a. This is the opening or topic sentence. samples: Three things that would make me happy are a Ferrari, and energy conscious society, and a trip to Australia. If I had three wishes they would include....... _______, _________, and ________ are three things that would make me happy. Three sure ways to make me happy would be.... b. The second sentence begins with and -ing word (gerund phrase) and

used the thing wished for. samples: Racing down the freeway in my Ferrari, I would be the envy of everyone I met. Owning a red Ferrari would probably net me many speeding tickets. Driving my zippy Ferrari would be sheer pleasure. c. The third sentence begins with "To" plus an action word (infinitive phrase) and uses the happening wished for. samples: To live in an energy conscious society would make our lives healthier. To know that everyone was energy conscious would make me feel satisfied. To be aware of energy conservation should be of importance to all. d. The fourth sentence begins with a prepositional phrase and uses the place desired to visit. samples: During a visit to Australia, I would certainly see kangaroos. For visiting Australia, I would need a new camera. From a visit to Australia, I would learn about many different animals and plants. e. The last sentence is a concluding sentence beginning with a word such as finally, certainly, surely, etc. samples: Certainly my wishes are attainable. Surely I deserve all I wish for. Hopefully my wishes will come true before I'm 50.

4. Collect student papers and proof for spelling errors. 5. Return papers and have students rewrite in paragraph form. Discuss margins and any other criteria you will be using for scoring (ink, cursive, illustrated, etc.). TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: By using this step-by-step method frequently, students begin to use variety in sentence structure in their paragraph writing. When assigning a paragraph, one of the criteria could be that no two sentences start with the same word.
8th grade topic see below:

Wishes

1st sentence: Introduction sentence makes a general Thesis statement about the three wishes. 2nd sentence: starts with a word that ends in -ing This sentence is about the first wish. 3rd sentence: starts with an infinitive (To plus a verb) This sentence is about the second wish. 4th sentence: starts with a prepositional phrase This sentence is about the third wish. 5th sentence: Conclusion sentence - use the following words: Surely or Hopefully or Certainly at the beginning of the last sentence to conclude topic of the three wishes.

14 SENTENCE
TITLE

EXTENDED PARAGRAPH

My Wishes

DO NOT WRITE: I am going to write about my three wishes; I am going to talk about . . .; This essay is about . . .
Indent the first sentence only. Remember you are writing an extended PARAGRAPH.

1st, 2nd, 3rd sentences:

Introduce the main point/topic/subject (includes the three subtopics three wishes .

4th sentence: starts with a word(gerund) that ends in -ing. This is about the first subtopic -- first wish. ADD 5th and 6th sentence to explain details/information about the first wish. 7th sentence starts with an infinitive (To plus a verb) ex: To have; To hope. ADD 8th and 9th sentence to explain details/information about the second wish. 10th sentence starts with a prepositional phrase. Ex: During my trip . . ADD 11th and 12th sentence to explain details/information about the third wish. 13th and 14th sentences: Conclusion: restate thesis/main point (three wishes). Use the following words -- Surely or Hopefully or Certainly -at the beginning of the 13th or 14th sentence.

DO NOT WRITE: I hope you enjoyed this essay; I hope all your wishes come true;What are your wishes? etc. Do not write the words The End. Do not write the word YOU in an essay. You are not writing to the reader.

Writing a Successful Five-Paragraph COMPOSITION

TITLE

My Wishes

1st paragraph:

Introduce the thesis statement/main point/topic/subject (includes the three subtopics three wishes). [2-3 sentences]

DO NOT WRITE: I am going to write about my three wishes; I am going to talk about . . .; This composition is about . . .

2nd paragraph: First sentence starts with a word that ends in -ing. Ex: Cruising in my new Honda CR-V, . . . This paragraph is about the first wish. [minimum of five sentences] 3rd paragraph: First sentence starts with an infinitive (To plus a verb) ex: To have; To hope This paragraph is about the second wish. [minimum of five-sentences] 4th paragraph: First sentence starts with a prepositional phrase. Ex: During my trip to . . . This paragraph is about the third wish. [minimum of five-sentences] 5th paragraph: Conclusion: restate thesis/main point (three wishes)with three sentences. Use the following words -- Surely or Hopefully or Certainly -- at the beginning of the first or last sentence in the fifth paragraph.
DO NOT WRITE: I hope you enjoyed this essay; I hope all your wishes come true;What are your wishes? etc. Do not write the words The End. Do not write the word YOU in an essay. You are not writing to the reader.