Writing Basics

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Writing Basics
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Four Modes

• Narrative Tells a Story
• Descriptive Describes
• Expository Explains
• Persuasive Persuades an audience to act or
  think in a certain way

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Narrative Writing

• Tells a Story
• Uses dialogue, but not excessively
• Plot Beginning, Middle, and End
• Setting Focus on one
• Transitions Next, Therefore, Afterwards
• Describe use adjectives to help tell
  
• your story

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Narrative WritingBrainstorming
Good narratives take their time and do not rush
through the action
The DURING scene contains the big moment.
The BEFORE scene begins with a person in a
place doing something.
The AFTER scene resolves the action
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Expository, Descriptive, and Persuasive Writing

• 5 paragraphs
• Introduction with thesis
• Three bodies with topic sentences and transitions
• Conclusion
• In conclusion,
• Restate thesis
• Summarize each body in one sentence
• Wrap it up

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Bing, Bang, and Bongo

• An essay is a group of paragraphsrelating to one
  main idea.The bing, the bang, and the bongo is
  a method for organizing your thoughts when you
  write an essay.

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Expository, Persuasive, and Descriptive Essays
Introduction (the bing, the bang, the bongo)
Paragraph Two The BING
Paragraph Three The BANG
Paragraph Four The BONGO
Conclusion (the bing, the bang, the bongo)
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Transitions
The glue that holds your thoughts together.

• Of all the holidays throughout the year, the
  Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the fourth
  of July because we always have good food to eat,
  because we spend time with family, and especially
  because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth
  of July is truly the best holiday.
  First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the
  Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet
  barbequed ribs or chicken. My sisters yearly
  request is golden corn on the cob dripping with
  butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad.
  However, my favorite item comes at the end of the
  mealjuicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of
  July meal is the best. Next, it is
  always fun when my family gets together on the
  Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts
  bring their families to our house. In the morning
  we usually go swimming in the lake behind our
  house or ride horses in the pasture. Afterwards,
  we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then
  my cousins and I get together for a game of
  baseball in the front yard. My family has a great
  time when we are all together.
  Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth
  of July. At night all of my family go downtown
  to the citys annual fireworks display. We spread
  blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing
  the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled
  with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead.
  Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch
  in amazement at the beautiful sight. The
  fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day.
  In conclusion, The Fourth of July is a
  wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with
  my family, and watching the fireworks make the
  holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of
  July is my favorite holiday.

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Expository, Persuasive, and Descriptive
Brainstorming

1. Develop a thesis (topic sentence).
2. Take the three points from the thesis (bing,
   bang, and bongo) and jot down ideas that can be
   discussed in the body paragraphs.
3. Group and organize your thoughts in your
   brainstorming in the order that would be best for
   the body paragraphs.

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Example Brainstorming

• Thesis Scooby Doos three friends who
  continually help him to successfully catch
  villains are Shaggy, Fred, and Daphne.
• Shaggy Fred Velma

Masculine figure Uses strength to help capture
villains
Supports Scoobys decisions
Uses book smarts to get into the mind of the
villain Open to suggestions from others
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Expository

• Explain
• Explain in DETAIL!!!!!
• 5 Paragraphs
• Goal 8 sentences per body paragraphs
• The body paragraphs count most in writing!!!

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Descriptive Writing

• Describe using the senses sight, sound, touch,
  smell, and taste (choose three one for each body
  paragraph)
• Avoid I or You if possible. Make the subject
  of your sentence be what you are actually
  describing.
• Have a clear focus do not list. For example,
  choose two strong smells at a fair and describe
  them fully.

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Persuasive Writing

• Three body paragraphs illustrate three reasons.
• Each body paragraph should contain
• Stating of first reason (topic sentence)
• Examples of why/how
• Concluding sentence to sum up the paragraph
• Remember, your goal is a four. Decide whether
  you are for or against a point based on which
  point can be more convincing.

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Persuasive Writing

1. Take a position.
2. Direct a particular audience (school board,
   mayor, etc.)
3. Ask the audience to take action (to change their
   minds, their habits, etc.)

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Last Minute Checklist

• A udience Writing to whom?
• P urpose Which mode?
• O rganize Brainstorm!
• W rite in the correct format
• E dit check for grammar mechanics
• R evise sentence structure, focus, and
  vocabulary
• U ltimate copy Would this be a 4?
• P roofread check for errors and understanding
  until the last minute possible