Title: Writing Basics
1Writing Basics
2Four Modes
- Narrative Tells a Story
- Descriptive Describes
- Expository Explains
- Persuasive Persuades an audience to act or
think in a certain way
3Narrative 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
4Narrative 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
5Expository, 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
6Bing, 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.
7Expository, 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)
8Transitions
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.
9Expository, Persuasive, and Descriptive
Brainstorming
- Develop a thesis (topic sentence).
- Take the three points from the thesis (bing,
bang, and bongo) and jot down ideas that can be
discussed in the body paragraphs. - Group and organize your thoughts in your
brainstorming in the order that would be best for
the body paragraphs.
10Example 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
11Expository
- Explain
- Explain in DETAIL!!!!!
- 5 Paragraphs
- Goal 8 sentences per body paragraphs
- The body paragraphs count most in writing!!!
12Descriptive 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.
13Persuasive 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.
14Persuasive Writing
- Take a position.
- Direct a particular audience (school board,
mayor, etc.) - Ask the audience to take action (to change their
minds, their habits, etc.)
15Last 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