2 -- Sentence/Paragraph writing and practice

Journal -- Write about the best or worst day of your life. (15 minutes) Focus on subject, predicate and punctuation.





Discuss journal entries.


Review the two parts of a sentence. What are they? How do you know which is which?

Grammar: Writing a paragraph 

What makes up a traditional paragraph?  A basic paragraph structure usually consists of five sentences: the topic sentence, three supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1J9ZPVydrc

Discuss Questions on Active Reading Outline for Chapter 5

Back to the Lake Writing Paragraphs

“I didn’t have the vocabulary to say ‘paragraph,’ but I realized that 

a paragraph was a fence that held words.” Sherman Alexie

Go Over Two Paragraphs in Various Modes of Writing

Narration – (p. 80)

Argument – (p. 86)



How do I know when to start a new paragraph?

You should start a new paragraph when:

• When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
• To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.  
• When you readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs function as a short "break" for your readers -- adding these in will help your writing be more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
• When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.

Length and Consistency of paragraphs

 https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/paragraphs_and_paragraphing/paragraphing.html

Writing a paragraph worksheet.

Linking paragraphs  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gku-vSf9Rk


Hand out copies of Shitty First Drafts. Review how to annotate.

Video -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Mz4nwciWc

Homework: Read and annotate Shitty First Drafts. Then answer and print your answers to the questions in the outline below.

Shitty First Draft Active Reading Outline

Be prepared to discuss the essay and answer questions in class.