Types of Paragraphs/Compositions

At the end of this unit, students will be able to...

a. Develop the details of a narrative paragraph/composition by using the guide questions who, what, where, when, why, and how.

b. Write narrative paragraphs/compositions using specific details, chronological order, point of view, and transitions.

c. Use sensory details to develop descriptive paragraphs/compositions.

d. Write descriptive paragraphs/compositions using spatial order, transitions, sensory details, and vivid language.

e. Learn that an explanatory "how" paragraph/composition explains a process.

f. Write explanatory "how" paragraphs/compositions using step-by-step order, transitions, and organization.

g. Learn that an explanatory "why" paragraph/composition expresses strong, specific opinions.

h. Write explanatory "why" paragraphs/compositions using opinions with logical reasons, organization, transitions, and summary.

Yes

Informal Evaluations-Teacher will make observations during all lectures and discussions. Teacher will have to demonstrate several ideas and techniques on the smartboard for students to view. Teacher will observe during all instructions. Teacher will also observe students writings during each writing process to help guide students.

Independent Writings-Students will be asked to write four paragraphs and four compositions throughout this unit. Teacher will make assignments for students to write individually. Students will be required to follow the writing process for all eight assignments. Each type of paragraph and composition will need specific elements as introduced during lecture. These independent writings will show students ability to understand and write narrative, descriptive, explanatory "how", and explanatory "why" paragraphs and compositions.

80%

The students will:

1.  Choose an interesting or exciting event and use specific details to write a story.  **An important key to writing a narrative paragraph, the writer must develop the story by answering who, what, when, where, why, and how.  Brainstorm your topic.   Answers the questions who, what, where, when, why, and how. 

2.  Choose from which point of view you are going to write. (First-person point of view or third-person point of view.)

3.  Begin with simple paragraphs and then work your way into a narrative composition.

4.  Choose a topic to write about and write about the sounds you hear, the taste you might taste, the smells, what could you feel, and what do you see.

5.  Start with the details you want your reader to notice first, then add the other details as they relate to the first one. Using the writing process, write a descriptive paragraph, then work them into a composition.

6.  Write a how-to paragraph to explain to someone how-to do something. It is important to write using step-by-step instructions. Write the instructions to a task of some kind to be presented to the class. (Hopefully a hands-on task or a visual model.)

7.  Present your opinion in writing.  Explain why something is so or why it should be changed. This paragraph is sometimes called a pursuasive paragraph. These types of paragraphs must be supported by logical reasons and/or facts.  Brainstorm about an opinion they have about a topic. Title their paper, "I Believe."

8.  Organize your ideas from the least important reason to the most important reason.   Write an explanatory "why" composition.

The teacher will:

1. The first type of paragraph to introduce to students is a narrative paragraph. Narrative paragraphs tell a story. The students will choose an interesting or exciting event and using specific details, write a story. An important key to writing a narrative paragraph, the writer must develop their story by answering who, what, when, where, why, and how. On a sheet of paper, have students brainstorm their topic. Then, have students decide the answers to who, what, where, when, why, and how. Stress to students that chronological order is important in telling a story.

2.  Next, students need to decide from which point of view are they going to write. (First-person point of view or third-person point of view.)

3.  Using the writing process, students can begin with simple paragraphs and then work their way into a narrative composition. 2. The second type of paragraph to introduce to students is the descriptive paragraph. A descriptive paragraph paints a picture with words. A picture with words is painted through the use of sensory details. The best way to do this is to try and write about the five senses.

4.  Choose a topic to write about and write about the sounds you hear, the taste you might taste, the smells, what could you feel, and what do you see. Descriptive paragraphs should contain some spatial order. Spatial order simply means having some organization to your paragraph.

5.  Start with the details you want your reader to notice first, then add the other details as they relate to the first one. Using the writing process, have students write a descriptive paragraph, then work them into a composition.

6.  The third type of paragraph is an explanatory "how" paragraph. Explanatory paragraphs explain how something is done or how something happens. Have students write a how-to paragraph to explain to someone how-to do something. It is important to write using step-by-step instructions. Have students write the instructions to a task of some kind to be presented to the class. (Hopefully a hands-on task or a visual model.) Once students have showed an understanding of an explanatory "how" paragraph, have students write an explanatory "how" composition.

7.  The fourth paragraph is an explanatory "why" paragraph. The purpose for an explanatory "why" paragraph is to present your opinion in writing. Writers should explain why something is so or why it should be changed. This paragraph is sometimes called a pursuasive paragraph. These types of paragraphs must be supported by logical reasons and/or facts. Have students brainstorm about an opinion they have about a topic. Title their paper, "I Believe."

8.  When students begin to write their paper, they should organize it from the least important reason to the most important reason. Using the writing process, have students write an explanatory "why" composition, after they have showed an understanding for writing an explanatory "why" paragraph.

McDougal, Littell Basic Skills in English

Smartboard/Markerboard

Classroom Resources

Additional Exercises Available

Tutoring

Modified Assignments

Peer Coaching

Tutoring

Extended Time

Shortened Assignments