From the abstract to the concrete

SENTENCE LEVELING

Adapted from Pat Sherbert’s APSI class

Leveling means to group the sentences in your paragraph on different

levels to show the logical progression of thoughts.

WRITING A LEVELED PARAGRAPH

Abstract – Existing in thought, but having no physical existence

Examples: love, justice, freedom

Concrete – Existing in a real, physical form

Examples: dog, car, chair, turkey

ABSTRACT VS. CONCRETE

Leveling means that the sentences move from abstract ideas to more

concrete ideas.

WRITING A LEVELED PARAGRAPH

S. I. HAYAKAWA’S ABSTRACTION LADDER

TRANSLATING THE ABSTRACTION LADDER TO WRITING

Imagine this discussion.

“I have a pet at home.”“What kind of pet?”“It’s a dog.”“What kind of dog?”“It’s a Saint Bernard.”“Grown up or a puppy?”“It’s full grown.”“What color is it?”“It’s brown and white.”

TRANSLATING THE ABSTRACTION LADDER TO WRITING

Imagine this discussion.

“I have a pet at home.”“What kind of pet?”“It’s a dog.”“What kind of dog?”“It’s a Saint Bernard.”“Grown up or a puppy?”“It’s full grown.”“What color is it?”“It’s brown and white.”

More abstract -- pet

TRANSLATING THE ABSTRACTION LADDER TO WRITING

Imagine this discussion.

“I have a pet at home.”“What kind of pet?”“It’s a dog.”“What kind of dog?”“It’s a Saint Bernard.”“Grown up or a puppy?”“It’s full grown.”“What color is it?”“It’s brown and white.”

More abstract -- pet

More concrete – A fully grown, brown and white St. Bernard

I like motoring better than flying.

I like Rambler cars.

I like American cars better than English cars.

I like my Rambler Classic four-door sedan.

I like travel.

ANSWERS

I like motoring better than flying.

I like Rambler cars.

I like American cars better than English cars.

I like my Rambler Classic four-door sedan.

I like travel. (1)

ANSWERS

I like motoring better than flying. (2)

I like Rambler cars.

I like American cars better than English cars.

I like my Rambler Classic four-door sedan.

I like travel. (1)

ANSWERS

I like motoring better than flying. (2)

I like Rambler cars.

I like American cars better than English cars. (3)

I like my Rambler Classic four-door sedan.

I like travel. (1)

ANSWERS

I like motoring better than flying. (2)

I like Rambler cars. (4)

I like American cars better than English cars. (3)

I like my Rambler Classic four-door sedan.

I like travel. (1)

ANSWERS

I like motoring better than flying. (2)

I like Rambler cars. (4)

I like American cars better than English cars. (3)

I like my Rambler Classic four-door sedan. (5)

I like travel. (1)

ANSWERS

PRACTICE TIMEWITH EXAMPLE B

1. Livestock2. Cows______________2. Pigs_______________2. Sheep_____________

THE DEAD-LEVEL PARAGRAPH

Dead-level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. The first kinds of animals are cows. The second kinds of animals are pigs. Finally, we also have sheep.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

1. Livestock2. Cows__________________3. Dairy______________3. Beef_______________4. Angus__________2. Pigs___________________3. Pork_______________4. Berkshire_______

THE MULTI-LEVEL PARAGRAPH

Multi-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. The first kinds of animals are cows. We have dairy cattle, which produce milk, and beef cattle, which are used for meat. In fact, our beef cattle are Angus cows, which are among the most expensive kind. We also have pigs on the farm. These are used for pork. They are the Berkshire species, which are a rare breed of pig.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

Dead-Level Paragraph1. Livestock

2. Cows______________2. Pigs_______________2. Sheep_____________

Multi-Level Paragraph1. Livestock

2. Cows__________________3. Dairy______________3. Beef_______________4. Angus__________2. Pigs___________________3. Pork_______________4. Berkshire_______

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

Dead-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. The fi rst kinds of animals are cows. The second kinds of animals are pigs. Finally, we also have sheep.

Multi-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. The fi rst kinds of animals are cows. We have dairy cattle, which produce milk, and beef cattle, which are used for meat. In fact, our beef cattle are Angus cows, which are among the most expensive kind. We also have pigs on the farm. These are used for pork. They are the Berkshire species, which are a rare breed of pig.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

Dead-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. (1) The fi rst kinds of animals are cows. (2) The second kinds of animals are pigs. (2) Finally, we also have sheep. (2)

Multi-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. The fi rst kinds of animals are cows. We have dairy cattle, which produce milk, and beef cattle, which are used for meat. In fact, our beef cattle are Angus cows, which are among the most expensive kind. We also have pigs on the farm. These are used for pork. They are the Berkshire species, which are a rare breed of pig.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

Dead-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. (1) The fi rst kinds of animals are cows. (2) The second kinds of animals are pigs. (2) Finally, we also have sheep. (2)

Multi-Level ParagraphWe have several types of livestock on my farm. (1) The fi rst kinds of animals are cows. (2) We have dairy cattle, which produce milk, and beef cattle, which are used for meat. (3) In fact, our beef cattle are Angus cows, which are among the most expensive kind. (4) We also have pigs on the farm. (2) These are used for pork. (3) They are the Berkshire species, which are a rare breed of pig. (4)

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

I don’t want this Dead-level paragraph(1, 1, 1, 1) or (1, 2, 2, 2, 2)

This is a little better Straight-level paragraph

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This is the best Multi-level paragraph(1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 4) or (1, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3, 2, 3,

1) or all sorts of variations

WHAT KIND OF PARAGRAPH DO I WANT?

PRACTICE TIME

I share my house with two cats._____ The elder cat is named Sally._____ She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice._____ The other cat is named Yerdle._____ She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat._____ Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift._____ I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally._____ She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice._____ The other cat is named Yerdle._____ She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat._____ Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift._____ I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally. (2) She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice._____ The other cat is named Yerdle._____ She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat._____ Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift._____ I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally. (2) She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice. (3) The other cat is named Yerdle._____ She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat._____ Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift._____ I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally. (2) She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice. (3) The other cat is named Yerdle. (2) She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat._____ Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift._____ I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally. (2) She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice. (3) The other cat is named Yerdle. (2) She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat. (3) Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift._____ I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally. (2) She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice. (3) The other cat is named Yerdle. (2) She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat. (3) Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift. (3) I hate it when she does this! _____

PRACTICE TOGETHER

I share my house with two cats. (1) The elder cat is named Sally. (2) She is a white, brown, and black Calico who likes to chase invisible mice. (3) The other cat is named Yerdle. (2) She is named after Dr. Seuss’s book Yerdle the Turtle because she is a Tortoise shell cat. (3) Although she, too, is getting older, she still takes great pleasure in killing birds and bringing them to me as a gift. (3) I hate it when she does this! (4)

PRACTICE TOGETHER

1. I share my house with two cats.2. The elder cat is named Sally.

3. She is a white, brown, and black 2. The other cat is named Yerdle.

3. She is named after Dr. Seuss 3. Although she, too…

4. I hate it when she does this!

PRACTICE TOGETHER

COMPLETE THE BOTTOM

PARAGRAPH ON YOUR OWN