Paragraph Writing
What is the first sentence in your body paragraph called?
topic sentence (your point)
Which word is more precise: good or generous?
Generous
Correctly punctuate the following sentence:
When I go to the store I need to buy eggs ham bread and coffee
10 bonus points if you get ALL the punctuation marks that are missing.
When I go to the store I need to buy eggs, ham, bread(,) and coffee
Bonus Answer: When I go to the store, I need to buy eggs, ham, bread(,) and coffee.
Is formal writing usually used in school essays or text messages?
School essays
What is the name for the person telling the story?
The narrator
Why is it important to include evidence in a paragraph?
It supports the claim or topic sentence
Why should writers avoid repeating the same word too often?
It makes writing boring or unclear
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A) “I’m ready to go.” she said.
B) “I’m ready to go,” she said.
B
Which is more formal: kids or children?
Children
What is the purpose of a conclusion paragraph?
*teacher's discretion*
Example: To wrap up ideas and restate the main point
What part of a paragraph explains how the evidence proves the point?
The explanation (or analysis)
Replace the weak word: “She said she was angry.”
*teacher's discretion*
Examples: shouted, complained, argued, muttered (any strong verb)
Add the missing punctuation:
Stop talking the teacher said
“Stop talking,” the teacher said.
True or False:
Contractions (haven't, you're, we'd) should usually be avoided in formal writing.
True
Why is revising different from editing?
Revising improves ideas and organization; editing fixes grammar and punctuation
When including a direct quote in your writing, what must your include as well and why?
Quote tag in order to introduce and give context for the quote.
What is the difference between the tone of these two sentences:
Jonas was surprised, the Receiver's dwelling looked different than his own.
Jonas was shocked, the Receiver's dwelling looked different than his own.
*teacher's discretion*
Example: the word surprised is more casual while Jonas being shocked is more intense and specific. It makes the differences seem more drastic.
Fix the run-on sentence:
I finished my homework I watched TV
I finished my homework, and I watched TV.
I finished my homework. I watched TV.
I finished my homework; I watched TV.
(Any correct fix earns the points.)
Which sentence is more formal and why?
“I think this book is interesting.”
“This book is engaging and meaningful.”
“This book is engaging and meaningful.”
It remains objective and uses more sophisticated and specific vocabulary.
What is the importance of using dialogue in a narrative story?
*teacher's discretion*
Example: It enhances the storytelling by making it more dynamic. It develops the characters more to include how they would talk.
Identify the problem:
My topic sentence is about the importance of friendship, but my evidence is about school rules.
The evidence does not support the topic sentence (lack of cohesion)
Why is specific word choice more effective than vague word choice?
*teacher's discretion*
Example: It helps the reader better understand and visualize the idea
Correct the punctuation in this sentence:
She asked are we leaving now
“Are we leaving now?” she asked.
She asked, “Are we leaving now?”
Restate this sentence in a more formal way. 10 bonus points if you can use a formal transition word.
"But I don't think that is correct. I would use the Pythagorean theorem to solve that problem."
*teacher's discretion*
Example: However, that is an incorrect way to solve the problem. It would be better to use the Pythagorean theorem."
Why is citing evidence from a text important in writing?
It strengthens arguments and proves ideas. It also avoids plagiarism.