Curated OER
Topic Sentences and Transitions
High school writers identify the purpose of both a topic sentence and a transitional statement. They write a topic sentence which denotes the paragraph topic and the author's stand on that topic. Then they write an effective transitional...
Curated OER
Paragraph Review
Use a worksheet to help learners identify the topic sentence and transitional words. They eliminate sentences that do not belong in the paragraph and name the pattern of organization used. Great for homework or extra credit.
Nosapo
What Is in a Sentence, Paragraph, and Story?
Language arts is made up of many parts. Learners review the parts of a sentence, as well as how to make a simple sentence into a complex sentence, before examining full paragraphs and identifying the topic, body, and concluding sentence...
Curated OER
Basic Paragraph
Pupils with special needs examine how to write an organized, basic, five-sentence paragraph. Students write a paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. They first practice by viewing and discussing...
Curated OER
CTBS Usage Practice #2
In this CTBS practice activity, students identify topic sentences, simple subject, and simple predicate. They also combine multiple sentences and identify sentences that do not belong in a paragraph. Students answer nineteen multiple...
Anchorage School District
Writing Effective Summaries
Drafting a strong first sentence for a summary is an important step. Writers can use the formula presented on this handout to get started. The resource lists three steps to put together a strong topic sentence, as well as tips and hints...
Curated OER
The Clause That Refreshes
Students define specialized terminology involving parts of speech. They identify main and subordinate clauses and create complex sentences. They edit and revise writing to incorporate complex sentences and identify parts of speech...
Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association
Grab ‘N Go Debate
Here's a resource that provides debaters with the background information and worksheets they will need when planning a policy debate. Templates and sentence frames, as well as a rationale for using debates in the classroom, are included...
Clever Student Training Company
Eliminating Weak Essay Material
A strong essay eliminates weak or unnecessary material. Determining what information contributes to an essay and what information should be deleted is a skill readers and writers of informational text must develop. Class members practice...
Curated OER
Convey Ideas in Writing
Use the platforms of the 2004 presidential candidates to bring persuasive writing to your class. Young voters identify the three issues most important to them in the election and research the issues and candidates' positions. They write...
Curated OER
Newsprint Activity
Students identify the main question behind their paper and narrow the focus and purpose of their paper. They view their topic from a variety of perspectives and determine their own interest in a particular aspect of a topic. They...
Curated OER
Paragraph Building
Build the skills your budding authors need to develop to compose well-structured paragraphs. Give them the topic sheet (included here), and have them write a cohesive paragraph using the ideas listed. Consider having them include two...
Curated OER
Information Reports
Students practice essay skills. In this essay skills lesson, students select an essay subject and take notes for their topic. Students create a web for their essays. Students organize, write, revise, and publish their essays.
Curated OER
Worksheet for a Five-Paragraph Essay
In this five paragraph essay worksheet, students complete an outline in which they identify their thesis statement, main points, and supporting details. The worksheet effectively works as an outline for the essay.
Curriculum
Expository Writing
The beauty of the way this expository writing resource is structured is that the units can be presented as a complete writing workshop or sequenced throughout a course of study
PB Works
Animal Sounds and Passive Voice
Originally designed by an American language teacher teaching in a public Japanese junior high, this lesson could easily be used for any beginning or intermediate level ESL class. With this plan, your class will review two useful, but...
Curated OER
Formal Essay Process
Students identify and use the four types of brainstorming techniques used in essay prewriting. They select an appropriate attention getting statement to attract the essay reader. Students explore the purpose and methods of selecting...
Curated OER
Examining newspapers
Students compare and contrast tabloid and broadsheet papers. In this journalism lesson, students examine how techniques and form differs from one type of publication to the other. The culminating activity is for students to take what...
Curated OER
Reviewing Proper Writing Techniques
Students use proper writing techniques to write an effective description of the best or worst meal they have ever eaten. In this proper writing techniques instructional activity, students review the parts of a composition and discuss...
Curated OER
Two Sources of Story Ideas for Our Paper
Students research and identify story ideas for the school newspaper. In this story ideas lesson, students pitch story ideas to their teacher on a weekly basis using a specific format. Students find the majority of their ideas from print...
Curated OER
Paragraph Development In News Journalism
Students identify the qualities of a new paragraph. They develop news paragraphs. They gain an introduction to appropriate paragraph development in news journalism using professional models as a guide.
Curated OER
Thesis Statement + Projected Plan = Introduction
Set up your writers for writing strong introductions with a formula for putting together supported thesis statements. This reference page breaks the process down and provides an example of how to compose a thesis statement, develop a...
Curated OER
Peer Editing Checklist
A handout to guide peer editors, this checklist delineates common problems with paragraph structure and specific proofreading items to check. It also provides encouragement about the collaborative part of the writing process. Formats...
Curated OER
Note-Taking Skills
Students take a closer look at their note-taking skills. In this communication lesson, students summarize information by taking notes using the various methods that their instructor presents to them.