Hey, that doesnt belong

1
Hey, that doesnt belong

• Identifying unnecessary information in a
  paragraph
• SPI 0301.3.5

2

• When writing on a topic, a writer will include
  many details and information.
• A good writer will focus his/her ideas on one
  topic at a time.
• Read the following short paragraph and see if you
  can find the unnecessary information.

3

• Dogs need to be cared for everyday. Here are a
  few tips for taking care of a dog. First, you
  should always leave out plenty of food and water.
  Next, make sure he gets plenty of exercise each
  day. Dont forget to brush or groom your dog
  regularly. You can also get together with your
  friends and hold a contest to pick a good name
  for your dog. Finally, provide a sleeping area or
  doghouse for your dog.

4
Now lets find the sentence that doesnt belong!

• First, identify the topic of the paragraph.
• The topic is about caring for a dog.
• Next, you should scan the paragraph again.

5
Is there any information that doesnt belong?

• Dogs need to be cared for everyday. Here are a
  few tips for taking care of a dog. First, you
  should always leave out plenty of food and water.
  Next, make sure he gets plenty of exercise each
  day.

A good writer stops and asks himself questions.
So far, all the information seems to be about
taking care of a dog. I think I will keep
reading.
6
Is there any information that doesnt belong?

• Dont forget to brush or groom your dog
  regularly. You can also get together with your
  friends and hold a contest to pick a good name
  for your dog. Finally, provide a sleeping area or
  doghouse for your dog.

I might see something in this section that
doesnt belong. Can you find the sentence that
isnt about caring for a dog?
7

• Dont forget to brush or groom your dog
  regularly. You can also get together with your
  friends and hold a contest to pick a good name
  for your dog. Finally, provide a sleeping area or
  doghouse for your dog.

Youre right! Picking a name for your dog is fun
and important, but does it really have anything
to do with caring for a dog?
8
That was great! Lets try another one.

• Remember to read carefully
• Identify the topic
• Find what doesnt belong

9

• Sometimes when there is a big snowstorm, there
  is no school. On these days, Mom has to call a
  babysitter. I like it when my babysitter is my
  grandmother because she enjoys baking. My
  grandmother drives an orange and white Volkswagen
  Van. She likes to make homemade bread or
  cupcakes. They are so delicious! Grandma lets me
  help bake. We have a lot of fun. I hope it snows
  soon!

10
Now lets find the sentence that doesnt belong!

• First, identify the topic of the paragraph.
• The topic is about caring for a dog.
• Next, you should scan the paragraph again.

11
Is there any information that doesnt belong?

• Sometimes when there is a big snowstorm, there
  is no school. On these days, Mom has to call a
  babysitter. I like it when my babysitter is my
  grandmother because she enjoys baking.

A good writer stops and asks himself questions.
So far, all the information seems to be about
grandmother being the babysitter. I think I will
keep reading.
12
Is there any information that doesnt belong?

• My grandmother drives an orange and white
  Volkswagen Van. She likes to make homemade bread
  or cupcakes. They are so delicious! Grandma lets
  me help bake. We have a lot of fun. I hope it
  snows soon!

I might see something in this section that
doesnt belong. Can you find the sentence that
isnt about grandmother being the babysitter?
13

• My grandmother drives an orange and white
  Volkswagen Van. She likes to make homemade bread
  or cupcakes. They are so delicious! Grandma lets
  me help bake. We have a lot of fun. I hope it
  snows soon!

Youre right! Grandmothers van sounds really
cool, but it doesnt make her a good baker or
babysitter.