Power Writing!

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Power Writing is a strategy for writers to use to construct an organized, logical paragraph. POWER 1: main idea or topic sentence POWER 2: major detail that explains or supports the POWER 1 sentence (see Signal Words) POWER 3: minor detail that explains or supports the POWER 2 sentence (see Signal Words) POWER 4: concluding or closing sentence relates to the POWER 1 sentence. (see Signal Words)

Signal Words
Words and phrases that usually signal Power 2 ideas: first second third and more even more moreover more than that equally (important,
necessary, etc.)

besides furthermore also likewise next then to begin with again Top

in addition to lastly finally some others still others above all another

Words and phrases that usually signal Power 3 ideas: that is to say namely as just as specifically to be sure in such cases This can be made clear... Because of this... for example like in the same manner to be specific for instance in other words This can be explained... This can be clarified... It is necessary to pause here to...

Phrases that might signal a Power 4 sentence: In conclusion... In summary...

Power Writing for Paragraphs

1 Main Idea 2 Supporting Idea 3 Elaborating Details 3 Elaborating Details 2 Supporting Idea 3 Elaborating Details 3 Elaborating Details Closing Sentence Use several Transition Words. Remember periods, capital letters, and commas. Use *Terminal Words in the Closing. Often a writer will begin a Power (2) - Supporting Idea sentence with a Transition Word. Power (2) Transition Words
one is another is the other is also next secondly first second third besides then moreover furthermore above all in addition to to begin with

Power (3) Transition Words

specifically for example to explain

for instance restated by the way in the first place yet furthermore similarly as a matter of fact

in other words translated for instance meanwhile afterward in the meantime consequently better yet

to describe actually however on the other hand for example never the less otherwise

One may use any of the other Power (2) Transition Words in a Power (3) sentence.
*Terminal Words
in conclusion to conclude as one can see finally to sum up in summary as a result for these reasons in short I conclude that A transition word is usually followed by a comma.

Example of Paragraph

(1) Family o (2) Mother Kindergarten teacher - Bonny Kate School o (2) Father Mailman - United States Post Office o (2) Susie Sixth Grade Student - South Doyle Middle School

Indent --->I am Susie and I have a very busy family. First, there is my mother. She is a kindergarten teacher at Bonny Kate School. Then, there is my father. He works for the United States Post Office. He is a mailman. Lastly, there is me. I am a sixth grade student at South Doyle Middle School. Everyone in my family is always very busy working or going to school.

(1) Main Idea Sentence

The main idea sentence is a general sentence that introduces the main idea (most important) of the paragraph.

(2) Supporting Detail Sentences

Next add two or three supporting detail sentences which explain, prove or support the main idea sentence.

(3) Elaborating Detail Sentences

After each supporting detail sentence, add elaborating detail sentences. These should give examples and details of the supporting details.

Remember this helpful hint:

Closing Adjectives Transitions Sensory Images

Activity
Read the main idea sentence. Write a paragraph. Be sure to add at least two supporting detail sentences and two elaborating detail sentences. Finally add the closing sentence. In your closing sentence, retell the main idea. Feel free to change the word "baseball" to your favorite activity. (1) Main Idea Sentence: Baseball is an exciting game to play! (2) Supporting Detail Sentence (3) Elaborating Details

(3) Elaborating Details (2) Supporting Detail Sentence (3) Elaborating Details (3) Elaborating Details Closing Sentence: Now you can see why I love baseball. Proofreading Checklist

Did I spell words correctly? Did I indent my paragraph? Did I use capital letters correctly? Did I use correct marks at the end of the sentences? Did I use words that describe? Did I use a main idea sentence? Did I write supporting detail sentences that relate to the main idea? Did I write a closing sentence? Did I use my best handwriting?
Transitional Words and Phrases

Good writing depends upon a reader being able to follow the movement of a writers thought. Writers help readers understand the movement of their ideas by providing connections between ideas which are often called transitions. These can be signal words or phrases (or even sentences or paragraphs) which indicate to a reader how ideas are related to one another. A sentence that continues an idea previously stated will likely contain transition that expresses "addition," for example. A sentence that contradicts, opposes, or offers an alternate viewpoint to an idea expressed earlier may contain a transition that "contrasts." Below is a sampling of the many transitional devices available to a writer. To express:

Addition: and, also, moreover, next, first, second, furthermore, in addition, another, as well as, besides, finally Example: Charles ardently loved watching football on television. He also found televised basketball riveting. Cause and Effect: then, subsequently, therefore, thus, hence, accordingly, incidentally, due to, as a result, so, in effect Example: Charles watched every televised football game he could. As a result, five girlfriends in the space of three years dumped him Comparison: but, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, yet, in contrast, on the contrary, at the same time, despite, to counter Example: The game of football, as Charles saw it, involved brute strength and primal power. Basketball, in contrast, was a kind of ballet with a ball. Example and Illustration: for example, for instance, that is (or i.e.), to illustrate, specifically, in particular, such as Example: Even slam-dunking a basketball, for example, has more finesse than slamming into a wide receiver. Concession: though, although, even though, of course, lest, after all, granted that, unfortunately, at the same time Example: Although Charles found sports enriched his life in some ways, he found that his television habits left him a lonely man. Summary or Conclusion: in brief, in short, in conclusion, finally, in summary, so you see, in closing, thus, hence, consequently Example: Consequently, Charles decided to amend his habits. He curtailed his television sports habit to one game a week and found that he had adequate time to spend with his dates. Emphasis or Intensity: above all, primarily, especially, more important, most of all, undoubtedly, naturally, obviously, without question Example: Obviously, moderation in all things is the key, even when it comes to football.