Opening Splash
(Introductory Paragraph)
Building the Canvas (Body Paragraph)
Tie It Together (Transitions)
Painted Proof! (Evidence)
Peel Back the Paint! (Elaboration)
Seal the Masterpiece (Concluding Paragraph)
100

To grab the reader’s attention

What is the purpose of a hook?

100

To explain and support the claim.

What is the purpose of a body paragraph?

100

Furthermore, pandas lose their habitat when forests are destroyed.

  • Furthermore
  • In addition
  • Also
  • Another reason
  • Additionally


What is an example of a transition used in the body paragraph? 

100

According to Source 2, red pandas are protected by laws and supported through breeding programs, which are helping increase their population and reduce the risk of extinction.

What is evidence from source 2 that shows how China is preventing Pandas from becoming extinct?

100

According to Source 1, bamboo forests are being destroyed due to logging and land clearing for farming. This shows that human activities are directly harming panda habitats, making it difficult for them to survive. 

What is a sample elaboration technique that explains why the evidence is important?

100

Restate Claim (Main Idea) + Summarize + Final Thought  

What are the components of a strong conclusion?

200

Imagine a peaceful forest where the sound of crunching bamboo suddenly disappears—because the animals that depend on it are slowly vanishing.

What is a hook that uses imagery?

200

One major danger pandas face is habitat loss caused by human activity.  

What is a sample topic sentence that identifies the dangers?

200

This shows that pandas cannot survive without bamboo.

  • This shows that
  • This means that
  • In other words
  • This is important because
  • As a result


What is an example of a transition used to show evidence ot elaborate in a paragraph?

200
  • According to Source 1 and Source 2, …
  • Both sources show that …
  • Similarly, Source 2 explains that …
  • In addition, Source 1 states that …
  • Another piece of evidence from Source 2 shows that …

What are Evidence Sentence Stems for Multiple Sources (Synthesis)?

200

According to Source 2, red pandas are protected by laws and supported through breeding programs, which are helping increase their population and reduce the risk of extinction. This shows that conservation efforts are making a real difference because these programs help red pandas reproduce safely and live in protected environments. 

What is a sample elaboration technique that explains why the evidence is important?

200

Pandas continue to face dangers, but efforts are helping protect them.

What is a sample conclusion technique that restates the claim or says the main idea again, but in a new way?

300

Fewer than 2,000 giant pandas remain in the wild today, making every loss a step closer to extinction.

What is a hook that uses a fact from the sources?

300

Topic sentence

What is the first sentence of a body paragraph called?

300

In conclusion, conservation efforts are helping protect pandas.

  • In conclusion
  • Overall
  • In summary
  • Clearly
  • In the end


What is an example of a transition used in the concluding paragraph?

300
  • The author emphasizes that …
  • The text reveals that …
  • The article points out that …
  • The passage illustrates that …
  • The source demonstrates that …

What are Evidence Sentence Stems?

300

In addition, Source 2 explains that red pandas have experienced a population decline of over 50% due to habitat loss and illegal hunting, further proving that human actions are a major cause of their endangerment. This situation is similar to a community losing more than half of its people, making it difficult to survive or rebuild.

What is a sample elaboration technique that
compares (an analogy) - this compares the idea to something familiar to help the reader understand the impact more clearly?

300

People must continue to support conservation efforts to protect pandas.

What is a sample conclusion technique that encourages the reader to think or act?

400

Why are pandas, one of the most recognizable animals in the world, still struggling to survive?

What would happen if one of the world’s most beloved animals disappeared forever?

What is a hook that uses a question?

400

Evidence and Elaboration

What should follow your topic sentence?

400

These combined efforts show that both habitat protection and conservation programs are making a positive impact on panda populations and helping reduce the risk of extinction.

What is a strong transition sentence that can be used to conclude a paragraph explaining what is being done to save pandas?

400

According to Source 1, bamboo forests are being destroyed due to logging and land clearing for farming.

What is evidence from source 1 that supports the dangers pandas face?

400

According to Source 1, the Chinese government banned logging in panda habitats in 1998, which helped slow the destruction of bamboo forests. Why is this important? This law protects the natural environment that pandas depend on for survival.  

What is a sample elaboration technique that asks and answers a question - this engages the reader and then clearly explains the significance of the evidence?

400

Habitat loss and human activity threaten pandas, while conservation efforts are improving their survival.

What is a sample conclusion technique that summarizes the key points by briefly reminding the reader of your main ideas?

500

Hook + Background + Claim or Main Idea  


What is in a strong Introductory Paragraph?

500

In response to these dangers, China has taken important steps to protect pandas and prevent their extinction.

What is a sample topic sentence for the solutions for endangered Pandas?

500

Together, these sources show that human activities like logging, farming, and hunting are the primary causes of panda population decline and risk of extinction.

What is a strong transition sentence that can be used to conclude a paragraph explaining why pandas are in danger?

500

In addition, Source 2 explains that red pandas have experienced a population decline of over 50% due to habitat loss and illegal hunting, further proving that human actions are a major cause of their endangerment.

What is evidence from source 2 that supports the dangers pandas face?

500

This shows that… 

This means that… 

This proves that… 

What is a sentence stem that can be used for an explanation elaboration technique?

500

This shows that protecting the environment is essential to saving endangered animals.

What is a sample conclusion technique that ends with a powerful statement about why the topic matters?

600

Pandas face serious dangers due to habitat loss and human activities like logging and hunting, but China’s conservation efforts—such as banning logging and restoring bamboo forests—are helping protect them and prevent extinction.

What is a strong claim for the Panda essay?

600

One

How many main ideas should each body paragraph have?

600
  • In conclusion,
  • To conclude,
  • In summary,
  • Overall,
  • All in all,
  • As discussed,
  • As explained earlier,
  • As shown in the text,
  • As the evidence demonstrates,
  • This shows that…
  • This proves that…
  • This is important because…
  • This highlights that…
  • Therefore,
  • Ultimately,
  • For these reasons,
  • In the end,
  • It is clear that… 

What are transitional phrases that can be used in a concluding paragraph?

600

According to Source 1, the Chinese government banned logging in panda habitats in 1998, which helped slow the destruction of bamboo forests.

What is evidence from source 1 that shows how China is preventing Pandas from becoming extinct?

600

This connects to…

This is important because…

What is a sentence stem that can be used for a Connection to Bigger Idea elaboration technique?

600

Saving pandas helps protect entire ecosystems for future generations.

What is a sample conclusion technique that connects your topic to the world or the future?


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