Step 1: Prewrite/Brainstorm - Carson Dellosa

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104825 . Applying the Standards: Evidence-Based Writing6

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Step 1: Prewrite/BrainstormThink about, plan, and organize your writing . Use the Internet, books, or magazines to find new information about your topic . Take notes .

Writing Practice Packet

Ideas

Chosen topic

Introductory sentence

Supporting details

Concluding statement

© Carson-Dellosa . CD-104825 . Applying the Standards: Evidence-Based Writing 7

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Step 2: DraftUse the information from the organizer on page 6 . Write a report about your topic . Remember to give reasons to support your opinion . Use linking words or phrases such as because and for example . Separate your ideas into paragraphs . In your conclusion, restate your opinion .



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Step 3: ReviseRead your essay . Then, answer the questions with Y for yes or N for no .

________ Did I start my story with an interesting introduction that will make readers want to read more?

________ Did I provide facts and details to support my opinion?

________ Did I use words such as because and for example to link my reasons with my opinion?

________ Are all of my sentences about the topic?

________ Should I add more details?

________ Did I use exciting verbs?

________ Did I use interesting adjectives?

________ Did I use the same words too often?

________ Does my conclusion provide a good ending for the piece?

The best part of this piece is ... The part that needs work is ...



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Step 4: Edit/ProofreadPlace a check mark before each item when you have checked your work .

My Story________ I have read my piece, and it makes sense .________ It has a beginning, middle, and ending .________ I stayed on topic .________ My sentences are easy for readers to understand .________ I used a variety of words .

Capitalization________ Each sentence begins with a capital letter .________ All proper nouns begin with capital letters .________ I capitalized my title words correctly .

Punctuation________ Each sentence ends with the correct end punctuation .________ Each contraction and possessive noun has an apostrophe in the

correct place .________ I have placed commas where they belong .

Spelling________ I have checked that I have spelled all of the words correctly .________ I have looked up words when needed .

Grammar________ My subjects and verb tenses match .________ I used suffixes and prefixes properly .________ I used italics or underlining to mark titles of works .

Peer or Teacher Editing ChecklistAsk a classmate or teacher to look at your essay and mark Yes or No .

Editor’s Name

Is the first word of each sentence capitalized? Yes No

Are the proper nouns capitalized? Yes No

Does each sentence end with a punctuation mark? Yes No

Are the words spelled correctly? Yes No

Are commas used correctly? Yes No

Is the handwriting or typing easy to read? Yes No



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Step 5: PublishWhen you publish an essay or report, you make it possible for others to read it . Your readers might be teachers, students, or family members . To publish an impressive essay or report, choose from these options .

1. I choose to publish my writing by ________ writing it in neat handwriting . ________ typing it on a computer . ________ typing it on a tablet . ________ copying it on a copier .

2. If I use a cover page, it will include ________ the title . ________ the author’s name . ________ the illustrator’s name . ________ art or illustrations .

3. If appropriate, my presentation will include ________ illustration(s) or art . ________ captions for the illustration(s) or art . ________ a graph, chart, or time line .

4. I will share my writing with



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Ref lect and Revise

1. Think about your first choice of where to eat . Then, write a short letter to explain why the other choice is better . Does this change your first choice? Write to explain your ideas .

2. Reread your letter . Make sure that each sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark .

Dinner: Restaurant or Home-Cooked? It is time for dinner . Would you like to go out to eat? Some people like to eat at restaurants because they like to try different foods . People can choose their own meals . No one has to work in the kitchen, and everyone can talk . Other people like to eat at home . They like to cook together . They may think that home meals are better for them . They may also think it is less expensive to eat at home .

Write a letter to your family . Tell them your opinions about eating at restaurants and eating at home . Explain your ideas . Use linking words such as because, since, and also .

Prewrite: Use the organizer to plan your letter .

Eating at restaurants Eating at home


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Ref lect and Revise

1. Imagine that your principal has asked you to be in charge of planning a “No Video Games for a Week” challenge at your school . What activities would you plan for kids to do other than playing video games? Write to explain your plan .

2. Reread your plan . Check your spelling . If you are unsure of any words, check them in a dictionary . Correct any misspelled words .

Video Games: Too Much Time? When kids spend too much time playing video games, they spend less time with their friends . They spend less time playing outside . Some kids play video games instead of doing their homework . Some kids play video games that are not appropriate for their ages .

Do you like to play video games? Do you spend too much time playing them? Do you think most kids spend too much time playing them? Ask your classmates what they think . Then, write to explain your opinion .

Prewrite: Use the organizer to write notes about what you and your classmates think about video games .

What I think about video games Why I think it does not matter how much time kids spend playing video games

Why I think kids should spend less time playing video games

What others think about video games


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Ref lect and Revise

1. Sara can either buy the yellow bowl and forget about the earbuds or buy the white bowl and the earbuds . Do you think she has a third choice? Write to explain your ideas .

2. Reread your piece . Underline the words Sara’s and mother’s each time you see them . Underline any other possessive nouns you used . Make sure that you used apostrophes correctly .

Money Troubles Sara has $16 to buy a gift for her mother . Her mother wants a new mixing bowl . Then, Sara’s earbuds break . She uses them every day . Sara finds a yellow bowl . Her mother loves yellow! The bowl costs $11 . A plain white bowl costs $5 . Earbuds cost $10 .

What should Sara do? Tell two classmates about Sara’s choices . Write about the choices . Then, explain what you think Sara should do and why .

Prewrite: Use the organizer to help you solve Sara’s problem .

Problem

Choice Reasons for Reasons against

1 .

2 .

What I would do


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Rules, Rules, Rules Each classroom has rules that keep the school day on track . Think about the rules your teacher has for your classroom . Read any rules that she has posted . Which rules are the most important? Do you think any rules might be missing?

Write a note to your teacher . Tell her which rule you think is the most important . Explain your opinion . Then, tell her about a rule you think the class may need to adopt . Explain your ideas . Ask a classmate to read your story . Make changes if needed .

Prewrite: Use the organizer to write your ideas .

Ref lect and Revise

1. Choose another rule that you think is important . Give reasons why it may be more important than the first rule you chose . Write to explain your ideas .

2. Reread your piece . Underline the verbs . Make sure that your verb tenses are correct and consistent .

The most important rule in our classroom is __________________________

______________________________________________________________________

because ________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Without this rule, I think our classroom would be ___________________

______________________________________________________________________

If I could add a rule to our classroom, it would be ____________________

_______________________________________________________________________

because ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

This new rule would make our classroom _____________________________

_______________________________________________________________________


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Ref lect and Revise

1. Review your facts . What could be another reason for the footprints? Write to explain your ideas .

2. Reread your piece . Underline the adjectives . Would your piece be more interesting if you added more adjectives? Revise your piece as needed .

Bigfoot: What Is the Truth? The Bigfoot legends began in 1966 . Two children saw a large, hairy figure . It left large footprints . Nearly 2,000 people have told stories such as this . The footprints were 14 to 18 inches (35 to 46 cm) long . They were five to seven inches (13 to 18 cm) wide . Some Bigfoot “hunters” search for signs of Bigfoot . Other people do not believe that Bigfoot is real .

Do you think Bigfoot is real? If not, what do you think makes the large footprints that people find? Use the Internet or books to learn more . Then, write about your findings . Use adjectives to describe people, places, and things . Explain your opinion . Type your final copy on a computer or tablet .

Prewrite: Use the organizer to separate facts and opinions from your research .

My conclusion

Fact Opinion

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Step 1: Prewrite/Brainstorm - Carson Dellosa