Workshop Assignment: Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Focus: Developing our supporting reason paragraphs (Body ¶s)
Writing Scenario:
Mountain View is considering eliminating the EEE period that occurs at the end of the school day. As a result of this change, support days and choice days would no longer be offered for students. Instead, the additional time would be allotted for longer math and language arts periods.
Writer’s Task:
In preparation for a persuasive essay on this topic:
- On the left side of your WNB:
- Plan your writing by:
- Constructing your argument/thesis statement on this topic. (Box)
- Developing 3 supporting reasons for your argument. (Bullet)
- Develop 1-2 supporting details for each of your supporting reasons.(Dash)
- On the right side of your WNB:
- Compose 1 supporting reason paragraph (body ¶) in your WNB under the title “Free Write #4”
Thesis/Argument Statement
- Supporting Reason # 1
-Supporting Detail/Example 1
-Supporting Detail/Example 2
- Supporting Reason # 2
-Supporting Detail/Example 1
-Supporting Detail/Example 2
- Supporting Reason # 3
-Supporting Detail/Example 1
-Supporting Detail/Example 2
Sample (From Class):
Writing Scenario:
Mountain View is considering providing laptops to all students for the 2013-2014 school year. Write a persuasive essay for or against this proposed change.
/ Construct my Box and Bullet organizer that includes:-My argument/thesis statement (Box)
-Supporting reasons (Bullets)
-Supporting details for each reason (Dash)
Mountain View should provide students with laptops for school use.
- Supporting Reason # 1: Laptops would be convenient for students.
-Help students stay organized by replacing binders and notebooks
-Provide students with multiple tools and resources for learning
- Supporting Reason # 2: Laptops would offer more collaborative classroom work.
-Use of Google docs actively in class and receive instant feedback
-Opportunity to collaborate with other schools for learning experiences
- Supporting Reason # 3: Laptops would help students build 21st century skills.
-Provide daily opportunity to practice and develop essential typing skills
-Provide exposure to traditional and updated computer programs
After my planning, I’m going to look back at my essay plan and choose 1 body paragraph (supporting reason) towrite in my writer’s notebook tonight.
I will hold my-self accountable for a strong, structured, and well-explained paragraph by remembering and using the paragraph checklist from class.
____ Clear indent
____ 5-7 total sentences in the paragraph
____ Topic/introduction sentence(s)
____ Sentences that explain my supporting details and examples
____ Concluding sentence that wraps up my paragraph point
My Writer’s Notebook Entry: Supporting Reason #1
Laptops would be a convenient tool for middle school students to utilize in their classrooms.By providing students with laptops, students would be able to conveniently organize their materials for learning. Students would no longer need to have different binders, textbooks, and notebooks for class. Instead, students would be able to create individual subject-area folders on their desktop to arrange all of their notes, assignments, and readings for class.Additionally, laptops would be a convenient tool for students because of the multiple learning tools that are featured and available to schools. Most laptops today feature calculator applications that would be useful in calculating problems in math and determining data in science. For language arts, writer’s and reader’s notebooks could be replaced through the creation of on-line journals and portfolios created through Microsoft Word.With the convenientorganizational features and multiple tools and programs that are included on laptops, these devices would continue to support Mountain View students in excelling in their classrooms.
Writer’s Check: Paragraph Checklist
-Clear indent? Yes
-5-7 total sentences: Yes, 8 total sentences
-Topic Sentence: Yes, highlighted in yellow
-Explanation sentences: Yes, supporting detail 1 (green) and supporting detail 2 (blue)
-Concluding sentence: Yes, highlighted in pink
**YOU DO NOT NEED TO COLOR-CODE YOUR SENTENCES. You may if it helps you check your writing. **