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I.
Preprogram
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1. What do paragraphs look like?
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a. Indenting
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b. Margins
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II.
Expressing an Opinion
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1.
Composition 1
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A. Recognizing Sentences (Include Types & Structures)
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B. Recognizing Paragraph Structure
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a. Topic Sentences (Beginning)
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b. Supporting Elements (Middle)
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c. Concluding Sentence (End)
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C. Recognition and Use of Transitional Words
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(New transitions are introduced with new compositions until students have a wide selection from which to choose.)
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D. Expanding Sentences
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a. Adding Adverbials
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b. Adding Adjectives
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c. Giving Examples
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TEACHER NOTE
: For each type of prose, provide several models.
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1.
Composition 2
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A. More Transitions
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(First of all, then, too, also, furthermore, finally)
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B. Sentence Expansion
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C. Movability of Modifiers
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2.
Composition 3
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A. More Transitions
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B. Movability of Modifiers
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C. Combining Sentences
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a. Appositives
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b. Participles
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c. Parenthetical Elements
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3.
Composition 4
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A. Writing an Opposing View
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B. Structure
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C. More Transitions
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4.
Composition 5
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A. Comparing Differences
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B. Structure
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C. More Transitions
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III. Writing Expository Paragraphs*
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1.
Composition 1
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A. Getting the Facts
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B. Choosing Pertinent Information
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C. Paraphrasing
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D. Writing Reports
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2.
Composition 2
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Repeat above steps
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3.
Composition 3 How to Paragraphs
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A. Arrangement of Ideas Steps
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B. Transitions
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C. Did I communicate?
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Continue to stress skills outlined in Level II.
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IV.
Descriptive Writing
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1.
Composition 1
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A. Appealing to the Sentences
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B. Arrangement of Ideas
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C. More Transitions
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2.
Composition 2
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A. Colorful Language
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B. Figurative Language
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a. Metaphors
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b. Similes
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c. Figures of Speech
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*Repeat as necessary.
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V.
Narrative Writing
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1.
Composition 1
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A. Elements of the Narrative
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B. Using Dialogue
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a. Punctuation
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C. Beginning, Middle, End
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VI. Advanced Exercises
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Individual Skills
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I. Punctuation Problems
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II. Subject and Verb Agreement
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III. Incorrect Use of Verbals Resulting in Sentence Fragments
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IV. Pronoun Usage
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a. Agreement with Antecedent
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b. Shift in Person
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c. Correct use of Case
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V. Use of Nouns
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a. Plurals
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b. Possessives
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c. Capitalization
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VI. Use of Verbs
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a. Irregular
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b. Shift in Tense
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c. Voice
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VII. Vocabulary
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a. Correct Spelling of basic Dolch Sight List
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b. Spelling Demons (to, too, two, etc.)
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VIII. Special Demons
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a. “could of”
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b.
over
to Bill’s house
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c. “that’s what I think” conclusions
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d. “Mary, she went to the dance”
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TEACHER NOTE
: These are problems I most often see. For the most part, they can be dealt with on an individual basis.
Expressing An Opinion
The following guide sheets and activities are used with “Expressing An Opinion.”
The models used for the activities are original compositions written by my remedial students.
TEACHER NOTE
: These samples were later revised and refined.
A Very Special Person . . . Me
Hi! My name is _____ . I am a very special person. I am _____ years old and a student at _____ . I was born in the month of _____ under the sign of _____ which means I am a _____ person.
My hobbies or special interests include _____ , _____ , _____ , and _____ . I especially enjoy _____ because _____ _____ .
This year I hope to _____ because _____ What kind of person are you?
Expressing an Opinion
Model 1
The writer of this paragraph did not plan ahead. Although he has given some good reasons to support his opinion, the reasons have not been arranged in an easy-to-follow order. Some of the reasons as well, drift from the main idea. See if you can help the writer revise this paragraph.
An after school job would be a valuable and worthwhile experience. Furthermore, I could earn money to buy things like clothes, school supplies, and albums. For one reason, it would be a good way to learn the value of money. But most of all, having a job would make me feel grown up because I wouldn’t have to rely on my parents so much. In addition, my parents always yell at me. For another reason, the responsibilities that go along with a job might help me in school. School is very important.
Revise the above paragraph in the space provided:
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Expressing an Opinion
Model 2
Read the following paragraph. See if you can discover the “pattern” the writer has used to explain his opinion.
There are several reasons why summer is my favorite season of the year. For one reason, I like to relax in the shade and sleep while I dream about the trees. For another reason, during the day, I could have a picnic and invite a friend. We would cook hotdogs, drink soda, and play all day. But first, I would have to find a comfortable spot. In addition, we could go to the beach to build sand castles and swim in the cool ocean.
Furthermore, at night during the summer my friend and I would go camping where we could build a fire and toast marshmallows. We could tell ghost stories, listen to the crickets and frogs, and then go to sleep.
But most of all, I like summer because there is no school and I have the time to do all of my favorite things. Sometimes, I wish summer would last forever.
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1. What sentence tells us what this paragraph is about?
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2. List the sentences which explain or give reasons why this student likes summer.
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3. Which sentence sums up the idea of the entire paragraph?
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Expressing an Opinion
Model 3
Read the following paragraph silently as I read it to you. Pay special attention to the underlined words and the order in which they appear.
Pollution is the biggest problem in the world today.
For one reason
, the chemicals that we spray into the air will destroy the atmosphere and the sun’s rays will burn us.
For another reason
, if we continue to throw trash and garbage into the sea, the fish will die and millions of people will die because they depend on fish for food.
In addition
, our lungs will become diseased because of the polluted air. Many people will get cancer and other terrible diseases.
But most of all
, the plants will die and then we might die too because the plants give us oxygen to breathe. Not only that, no one will ever be able to replace the trees and flowers. In my opinion, pollution should be the first problem the president tries to solve.
What signals were given to help you know a new reason was given?
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In what order did they seem to appear?
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What was the strongest or most important argument? How did you know?
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