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4 Square Be There
Class, I’m going to give you a writing prompt. I
want you to read it carefully so that you will respond to all parts of the prompt. You will have 55 minutes to
write. Be sure to plan your writing, develop your ideas fully with
vivid details, organize your ideas coherently, use good word choice and sentence variety,
and edit your grammar and mechanics.
Your family has just won a one-week trip. Write
about where you choose to go and what happens
there. Develop your writing with details.OK. I’ll brainstorm,
and then I’ll make a 4-Square outline. Then
I’ll write my essay.
Places I’ve been: Six Flags, San Antonio (last
summer), Orlando (two years ago)
Places I’ve read about, studied, or seen on TV that I might be able to write about:
Paris, LondonI’ll write about
San Antonio, Texas.
BrainstormingYour family has just won a one-week trip. Write about where you choose to go and
what happens there. Develop your writing with details.
San Antonio, TexasAlamo River Walk El Mercado Ripley’s
History, Santa Anna, Houston, Travis, Crockett, heroes, against all odds, church mission, giant trees, wishing well, big cannon
Cool, trees, flowers, water, shops, restaurants, below street level, unique things to buy, music, eat outdoors, buy jewelry, souvenirs
Mexican market, shops, mariachi music, Spanish dancing
Strange items from nature, manmade odd things, wax museum w/ many from history and current time, history of Ripley’s, Presidents
Wow!
Don’t forget to use The Writing Center
as a resource for teachers, students,
and parents.
I use it all the time. Information is organized by writing traits.
There is a whole section on 4-
Square. Any time I am having
trouble writing something, I click on
The Writing Center, and I can find something to
help me.
Your family has just won a one-week trip. Write
about where you choose to go and what happens
there. Develop your writing with details.
Nice commercials, people. Now, I’ve forgotten
the prompt.
Hey, Ma’am… Teacher… Miss… um…Teacher! I
have a question. I don’t know how to
organize this. Is this a narrative essay
(you know, a story) like…
HOW MY FAMILY WON THE LOTTERY
AND SPENT A WEEK
IN SAN ANTONIO,
TEXAS
See, Ma’am. Now, that would be a narrative essay. A narrative essay is like a little
story.
…OR is it a descriptive essay
like…
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS,
THE BEST VACATION
SPOT IN THE WORLD!
See what I mean? In a descriptive essay, I would
be just describing what San Antonio is like…you
know, telling what goes on there.
See my problem, Teacher? A narrative
essay (story)
should be written like this…
Time Connector Event 1 Detail Vivid Detail Vivid Detail Vivid
Time Connector Event 2
Detail Vivid Detail Vivid Detail Vivid
Time Connector Event 3
Detail Vivid Detail Vivid Detail Vivid
Time Connector
Big Ending
The Trip to San
Antonio:Who?What?Where?When?Why?
NARRATIVE ESSAY “A STORY”
…but a descriptive essay
should be written like this.
Connecting Word
Reason/Example/Support Detail
Vivid Detail Vivid Detail Vivid
Connecting WordReason/Example/Support Detail
Vivid Detail Vivid Detail Vivid
Connecting WordReason/Example/Support Detail
Vivid Detail Vivid Detail Vivid
Wrap-Up Sentence with Connecting WordPersonal/Reflective Sentence, Question, or Exclamation
San Antonio is the best vacation spot.
DESCRIPTIVE
ESSAY
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS,
THE BEST VACATION
SPOT IN THE
WORLD!
HOW MY FAMILY WON THE LOTTERY
AND SPENT A WEEK
IN SAN
ANTONIO, TEXAS
See? They’re really different…
This is the prompt: Your family has just won a one-week trip. Write about where you choose to go and what happens there.
Develop your writing with details.
“…where you choose to go…” means the destination of your
trip.“…what happens there” can mean either (1.) what happens once you and your family arrive (narrative)
or (2.) what kinds of things happen
there (descriptive).
…so should my essay by
narrative or descriptive?
No. You have to decide.
Either narrative or descriptive will be fine for this prompt. You decide based on which
one you like better and which one you think will work
better.
OK. I choose descriptive! Now I
can start my 4-Square organizer.
Will the writing test people tell me
which “mode” to use?
Paragraph 2
(Box 2)
Paragraph 3
(Box 3)
Paragraph 4
(Box 4)
Concluding Paragraph
(Box 5)
This is the 4-Square Organizer.
(Box 1) Thesis Statement –
Develop into Introductory Paragraph
Write your thesis statement in the middle box (Box 1). Your thesis statement is just a sentence stating what you are going to claim, assert, declare, insist, suggest, proclaim, affirm, or say.
OK, I’m going to make a statement
about a place.
Later, when you begin to write, you will start with this (1.) topic
sentence. Then, you will add (2.) a “wrap up” sentence that tells your
3 examples and (3.) a personal/reflective sentence.
San Antonio, Texas, is an excellent vacation spot.
Huh?
San Antonio, Texas, is an excellent vacation spot.
Like this…
San Antonio, Texas, is an excellent vacation spot. Strolling on the River Walk, wandering through Ripley’s, and exploring the Alamo fulfill any traveler’s dreams. If one is looking for a beautiful, exciting, meaningful place for relaxation, San Antonio is the place.
River Walk Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Wax Museum
Alamo
Now you have to choose 3 examples to describe
WHY it is a good vacation spot.
San Antonio, Texas, is an excellent vacation spot.
Easy.
First,
River WalkSecond,
Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Wax Museum
Third,
Alamo In conclusion,
San Antonio, Texas, is an excellent vacation spot.
Save room for some connecting
words.
Are those the only connecting words
we can use?
Dude, those
transition words are
so “second grade.”
Let me get my writing book. It has a lesson on transition,
or “connecting”
words.
FirstOne reasonFor exampleOne exampleTo begin withTo start with
SecondAnother reasonAnother exampleAlsoIn addition___, like ___,
ThirdAdditionally____, as well as ____, ____, too, For instanceAlong with
In conclusion LastFinallyAs one can seeIn summaryIt is easy to see that
Use these color-coded
connecting words as transitions between
paragraphs.
Don’t you have any
more words
?
Instead of a connecting “word,” you can use a connecting “phrase.” It’s a more grown-up way to write.
We call it a “paragraph link.”All you do is this. Instead of using one of the connecting words, just mention the “example” from the
previous paragraph before you start writing about the “example” in your
current paragraph. Like this:
It is true that the River Walk is an exciting part of San Antonio, but
nothing can top Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and its Wax Museum for
unbelievable entertainment.
Paragraph links!
Great! We get the idea!
Yeah!This is OK: Another
example of an interesting place in San Antonio is the
Alamo.This is much better:
Although Ripley’s Museum will leave tourists
entertained, the Alamo will certainly satisfy anyone’s
hunger for history. Wow! That’s better
!
First
River Walk•Wind through downtown 1 level below main city streets•Unique shops•Restaurants
It is true that RW…but Ripley’s …
Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Wax Museum•Odd man-made items•Unusual items from nature•Wax people who look real
Finally
Alamo•Former mission•Texans vs. Santa Anna’s army•Well in square in courtyard
It is easy to see that
San Antonio, Texas, is an excellent vacation spot.
Now we add three details to describe each of our examples.
Sure, you can add
details to your
examples, but if your details are not VIVID,
you are just using words,
not mind pictures.
Yeah. You have to follow each detail
with a “vivid.” That is a sentence that
answers this question: “LIKE
WHAT?” Your vivid should bring a
picture to the mind of the reader. It
should be a taste, a smell, a sound, a touch, or a sight.
LIKE WHAT?
Use a vivid description to “extend” the development of your detail.
SEE
SMELL
TASTE
HEAR
TOUCH
Connecting Word or Transition Link
Example Detail Vivid
2
5
3
4
…so boxes 2, 3, and 4
should be like this…
First
River Walk Wind through downtown 1 level below main city streets
Cool, watery, tree-lined banks
Unique shopsSouthwest clothing, jewelry, art
RestaurantsOutdoor patio, aroma of food, sound of music
Yeah! Vivid!
LIKE WHAT?
LIKE WHAT?
LIKE WHAT?
It is true that RW…but Ripley’s …
Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Wax Museum Odd man-made itemsEiffel Tower made of toothpicks, Lord’s Prayer on grain of rice
Unusual items from naturePetrified raindrop, shrunken heads
Wax people who look realBritney Spears, Abraham Lincoln, Cher
Have you ever been there
?
No, but I want to go!
It sound
s cool!
Finally
Alamo Former missionChapel most photographed building
Texans vs. Santa Anna’s armyOutnumbered greatly but courageous Well in square in courtyardCool, shady, trees, stone pathway
I love histor
y.
It is easy to see that San Antonio is a prize-winning vacation spot because with the River Walk, Ripley’s, and the Alamo, the fun never ends. Let’s jump in the car and head that way right now!
Concluding Paragraph:(1.)Connecting word(s); (2.)Wrap up
sentence (includes your 3 examples); and
(3.)Personal/reflective sentence, question, or exclamation.
Dude, you are really good with this 4-Square
thing.However, my teacher gave us some tips on
writing better introductions and
conclusions.You know, you can
“narrow down,” use quotations, use future predictions, and things like that. You can find
those tips at www.edmondschools.net
Click CurriculumClick The Writing Center
What about these “traits” I keep hearing
about?
Traits are the characteristics of
writing.Traits are how we describe writing.
Like this:(1.) How did you
develop your thesis?(2.) How did you
organize your ideas?(3.) What kind of word
choice did you use?(4.) Did you use a
variety of sentence structures?
(5.) Did you edit for grammar, usage, and
mechanics?
Ideas and Development (30%)
4 - Excellent
The content is well suited for the audience and purpose; main idea or thesis is clear;
ideas are fully developed and elaborated using details,
examples, reasons, or evidence; writer expresses an insightful perspective towards
the topic
Organization, Unity, and Coherence (25%)
4 - Excellent
Introduction engages the reader; sustained or consistent focus on the topic; logical and appropriate
sequencing and balanced with smooth, effective transitions;
order and structure are strong and move the reader through the text;
conclusion is satisfying
Word Choice 15%4 – Excellent
Appropriate word choice which conveys the correct meaning and appeals to the audience in an interesting, precise, and
natural way; the writing may be characterized by, but not limited to
lively verbs, vivid nouns, imaginative adjectives, figurative language,
dialogue; no vague, overused, repetitive language is used (a lot, great, very, really); ordinary words used in an
unusual way
Sentences and Paragraphs 15%
4 – Excellent
Writing clearly demonstrates appropriate sentence structure; writing has few or no run-on or fragment errors; writing has a
rich variety of sentence structure, types, and lengths;
ideas are organized into paragraphs that blend into
larger text; evidence of appropriate paragraphing
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics 15%
4 - Excellent
The writer demonstrates appropriate use of correct
spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage;
errors are minor and do not affect readability
Ideas and Development is 30% of the score. Graders look for
each paragraph to be fully developed with a topic
sentence that gives your reason, example, or support; a second sentence that gives a
“detail” describing the example; a third sentence
giving a “vivid” describing the detail; and a concluding
sentence reminding us of the topic.
How should I try to improve in
Ideas and Development?
Stick to your topic!Keep everything in
sequence.Use smooth, effective
transitions.Have an “engaging”
introduction.Have a conclusion.
What about Organization, Unity,
and Coherence? What should I concentrate
on?
Easy! Choose a few lively verbs, vivid
nouns, imaginative adjectives, and
interesting adverbs that you like, and
use them frequently as you write.
Always include a simile. Revise
overused, repetitive language.
I’m all wet on
Word Choice.
I know everything
about Sentences
and Paragraphs! I like to use introductory participial phrases!
Yeah, we always win writing contests because of our
superb sentence variety! I like to use appositive phrases,
compound sentences, and two independent clauses with a semicolon in
the middle!
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics! If you are writing a timed, in-class
prompt, take a few minutes to edit your paper before you turn it in.
However, if it is homework and you have plenty of time to edit and
revise, ask someone to read your paper for you, get suggestions, use Spell Check, use a dictionary, and
use your hot pink Edmond Grammar Guide.
Do you realize that
all of the rubrics our
teachers use to grade our
writing are on the web? We
can see exactly how
they’re going to grade us!
I’m going to make a note
of this excellent resource!
Go write something that’s well organized
now. Assess your own writing
according to OCCT, EOI,
and Edmond standards. Just fill in the boxes before you
write. See ya, dudes.