Gladiator Paragraphs. A system to simplify wri5ng a be8er paragraph.

Transcription

1 Gladiator Paragraphs A system to simplify wri5ng a be8er paragraph.

2 Quickwrite Somewhere on your sheet of paper, explain how you would respond to the following situa5on: You have been informed with 24 hours no5ce that you will be spending 30 days on a desert island. There will be no food, no water, and no one there to help you. You can take any item(s) you think you will need. If you knew you would be alone on this desert island, what would you take with you?

3 What are Gladiator Paragraphs? A system for wri5ng paragraphs You will write an 8 sentence paragraph. You will know exactly what to write for each sentence. Your wri5ng will be be8er organized and will flow be8er than they ever have before.

4 Topic Sentences The ONE sentence at the beginning of a paragraph that shows what you will explain. It has two parts: The Answer : your answer to the prompt The Because : the main reason why you re right Example: - The one thing I would save from my house during a fire is my dog because she s special to me. - The worst thing you could do to a person is lie to them because it can make a person seem terrible.

5 First things first: Draw a chart on your paper that has three big columns. It should look something like this:

6 Label the chart like this: Topic Sentence/ Conclusion Reasons Examples

7 Start with a topic sentence for today s paragraph prompt about desert islands. Make sure you include a because statement. Topic Sentence/ Conclusion T: On a desert island, I would want to have tools because they would help me do anything I need to survive. Reasons Examples

8 Now, move on to your reasons. List three reasons why your topic sentence is true. Topic Sentence/ Conclusion T: On a desert island, I would want to have tools because they would help me do anything I need to survive. Reasons 1. Tools can be used to make a shelter. 2. Tools can also be used to make weapons for hun5ng. 3. Finally, I could use the tools to make other objects I would need. Examples

9 Next, list an example for each reason. Show what the reason actually looks like in real life. Topic Sentence/ Conclusion T: On a desert island, I would want to have tools because they would help me do anything I need to survive. Reasons 1. Tools can be used to make a shelter. 2. Tools can also be used to make weapons for hun5ng. 3. Finally, I could use the tools to make other objects I would need. Examples 1. A saw could bring down trees that could be arranged into a building. 2. Large s5cks can be sharpened into spears to catch edible fish. 3. I could round out pieces of wood into bowls and other utensils.

10 A`er that, write the conclusion. Restate the thesis, and provide a final opinion about the topic. Topic Sentence/ Conclusion T: On a desert island, I would want to have tools because they would help me do anything I need to survive. C: Tools would help me survive life on a desert island because they are small, useful items that can do many important things. Reasons 1. Tools can be used to make a shelter. 2. Tools can also be used to make weapons for hun5ng. 3. Finally, I could use the tools to make other objects I would need. Examples 1. A saw could bring down trees that could be arranged into a building. 2. Large s5cks can be sharpened into spears to catch edible fish. 3. I could round out pieces of wood into bowls and other utensils.

11 Now you have everything you need to complete the paragraph. Put the sentences 1. Topic sentence (T) 2. Reason 1 3. Example 1 4. Reason 2 5. Example 2 6. Reason 3 7. Example 3 8. Conclusion (C) into the following order:

12 Try it out on your own with this ques5on: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you want to be? Why? 1. Draw out your chart. 2. Write your topic sentence with a because statement. 3. Iden5fy the three reasons why your topic sentence is true. 4. Create one real life example for each reason. 5. Write the conclusion: restate the topic sentence and include an opinion. 6. Put your sentences in the correct order to create a complete paragraph.

13 Final Reflec5on Separate from all of the wri5ng you have just accomplished, write at least 4 sentences to reflect on this process. Be sure to answer these ques5ons: 1. How hard was it to write this type of paragraph? Why? 2. Could you see yourself eventually being comfortable with doing this on your own? Why? 3. Could you see yourself using Gladiator Paragraphs in other classes? Why?