KEEP ‘EM HONEST: TEACHING PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE THROUGH PLAYLindsay PerkinsTeacher Inquiry WorkshopUniversity of Maryland Writing ProjectSummer Institute 2010

PLEASE PULL THE COMIC STRIP PAPER OUT OF YOUR FOLDER. TAKE ABOUT THREE MINUTES TO:

DESCRIBE JEREMY’S MOM.

WITH YOUR PARTNER, PLEASE SHARE WHAT YOU WROTE ABOUT JEREMY'S MOM.

BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

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So today, we’re going to . . . play the game!

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: PROMPT Prompt: Write an explanation of what the reader can infer

about a major character based on his or her actions or how others in the text react to him or her.

Translation (What does the prompt mean in your own words?):

I have to write a paragraph about what the reader (or I) can__ assume or conclude about a main character using what he_ or she does or how another character responds to the main___ character. I must use an example directly from the_________ text.__________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: PARAGRAPH STRUCTURESentenc

e Number

Sentence Name

Sentence Description/Purpose

1 Thesis Statement

Provide a specific argument that answers the prompt and can be proven using details from the

text.2 Transition Summarize what is happening in

this specific section of text. 3 Text Support Include an introduction to and a

direct quotation from the text that supports your thesis

statement.4 “This means” Paraphrase your text example. In

your own words, what is happening in the text?

5 “This shows. . . because”

Explain how your text example proves your thesis statement. Your elaboration can be more

than one sentence.6 Conclusion Restate your thesis statement

using different words and add new information.

•Thesis Statement

•Transition

•Text Support

•“This Means”

•“This shows. . . because”•Conclusion

In The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, the reader can infer that Steve Randle is self-centered based on his own actions.

Steve, who is Sodapop’s best friend, explains to the gang that he and Sodapop will be going out with their girlfriends instead of going to the drive-in with Dally and Ponyboy.

For example, Ponyboy reports that Steve “didn’t need to look at me the way he did right then. I wasn’t going to ask if I could come.” (pg. 14)

This example means that while Steve enjoys hanging out with Soda, he doesn’t want to spend time with Ponyboy, and he is not afraid to make this fact known to Ponyboy through his glare.

This example shows that Steve is self-centered because he doesn’t care what Sodapop or Ponyboy wants. As long as he has his way, Steve doesn’t mind if he hurts other people’s feelings.

Steve’s behavior is selfish.

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KEEP ‘EM HONEST: MATERIALSPLEASE TAKE OUT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FROM YOUR FOLDER. Play Cards Scorecards Character Trait List “Zits” comic

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: EXAMPLE

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: HOW TO PLAY How to Play:

There will be two teams: the Insiders and the Outsiders. You will have one and a half minutes to write the first sentence of

your paragraph. You may not start writing before the count down begins. This

infraction will result in a penalty for your team. If you finish writing the assigned sentence before the time has

expired, you may not begin writing the next sentence. This infraction will result in a penalty for your team.

Once time is up, switch papers with your partner. Use the scorecard to check your opponent’s paper. Circle “yes” or “no” for each question asked.

If all of the answers to the questions about that sentence are “yes,” your opponent has earned a point for his/her team.

If any question about that sentence is answered with a “no,” your opponent has not earned a point for his/her team.

Once the score is recorded, please pass the play card back to your opponent, and prepare for the next round (sentence).

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: LET’S PLAY

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: NEXT STEP The day after we played the game, my

students wrote the final drafts of their paragraphs. They used their playing cards as their rough drafts.

While my students were writing their final drafts, I worked one-on-one or with a small group of students whom I noticed were having difficultly with the game.

STUDENTS ASK, “WHY?”

TO ILLUSTRATE HOW STRUCTURE LEADS TO CREATIVITY, WE’LL END THIS WORKSHOP DESCRIBING JEREMY’S MOM IN A CINQUAIN.PLEASE TAKE THE CINQUAIN PAPER OUT OF YOUR FOLDER.

From: http://www.writingfix.com/left_brain/cinquain1.htm

You may work with your partner for this activity!

KEEP ‘EM HONEST: YOUR EXPERIENCE Please think about the two paragraphs I

asked you to write today, the one at the beginning of the workshop and the one that you wrote during the game.

How were your two paragraphs and/or experiences similar and/or different?

What was the effect of using this structure on your thinking? How was this change reflected in your writing?