back to power writing

BACK TO POWER WRITINGMentor’s WorkshopBarbara W. StoffOctober, 2016

Objectives

Review Basic Power Writing Make a Word Wall for Pets Write a paragraph about pets Transform our paragraph into a five paragraph essay Learn three “hooks” to get attention to your essay.

Basic Power Writing

Pets Colors Habitat

Appearance

Verbs Personality

Word Wall for Pets

Now Write a Paragraph About Your Favorite Pet

Write a topic sentence

Step 1

Write a reason or example



Step 2 Write a

conclusion

Step 3 Use the

Word Wall to make your sentences

Step 4

My Paragraph

Topic: My favorite pet is a dog.

Reason 1: I think dogs are friendlier than cats.

Reason 2: Dog are more fun than cats.

Reason 3: You can teach dogs tricks.

Conclusion: That’s why I like dogs.

Being More Descriptive Topic:

My favorite pet is a small long-haired dog.

Reason 1: I think dogs are friendlier than stony faced

cats.

Reason 2: Dogs are much more entertaining than cats.

Reason 3: You can teach dogs many things, but cats

aren’t interested in anything but sleeping and eating.

Conclusion: That’s why I prefer dogs!

The Five Paragraph Essay

Now transform your paragraph into a five paragraph essay. Make each sentence into a paragraph

Now Write a Five Paragraph About Your Favorite Pet

Write a topic paragraph

Step 1

Write a reason or example paragraph.

Write a reason or example paragraph

Write a reason or example paragraph

Step 2 Write a

conclusion paragraph.

Step 3 Use the Word

Wall to make your paragraphs better.

Step 4


Topic: My favorite pet is a dog.

My favorite pet is a dog. I’ve had many pets, including fish, cats, birds, and dogs, but I prefer dogs. Many pets are easier to take care of than dogs, but I’ve enjoyed having a dog more than the other pets I’ve had. I’ve decided that having a dog is the best pet for me. These are the many reasons I have decided dogs are the best pets for my family.


Reason 1: I think dogs are friendlier than cats.

I think dogs are friendlier than cats. When I come home from work my cat hardly notices I’m there. She never acts excited to see me, but my dog thinks she can talk. She smiles when I walk through the door and barks everything that happened in her day. I often wonder what she’s telling me!


Reason 2: Dog are more fun than cats.

Dogs are more fun than cats. You can take a dog for a walk. Have you ever tried taking a cat for a walk? When you’re walking your dog, you make lots of new friends: dogs and people. You can get together with other dog owners and walk together.


Reason 3: You can teach dogs tricks.

You can teach dogs tricks. My dog came somewhat trained. I didn’t know what kind of tricks she could do. When she wants a treat, she sits. She also talks when she wants a treat, but her funniest trick is watching her ears go up when she sees watermelon. It’s her favorite treat!


Conclusion: That’s why I like dogs.

These are the many reasons I like dogs. Dogs are always glad to see you even if you’ve been gone ten minutes. You can make lots of new friends when you own a dog. In fact many people have met new dating partners when they have a dog. You can also teach your dog many new things and they are willing to learn. Dogs are definitely man’s best friend, woman’s too!

The Hook

Next we’ll learn how to get the reader’s interest so they’ll read YOUR essay! There are five types of hooks, but for now we’ll learn three

The question: start your essay off with a question. Example: Have you ever wondered why people say a dog is man’s best friend?

The quote: start your essay off with a quote. Example: “The dog is man’s best friend”, Frederick the Great of Prussia.

Making a startling or dramatic observation or describing a scene in a dramatic, humorous, or otherwise interesting way.

Example: After two years, their lost dog returned to their new home unexpectedly.

The Essay on DogsHave you ever wondered why people say a dog is man’s best friend? My favorite pet is a dog. I’ve had many pets, including fish, cats, birds, and dogs, but I prefer dogs. Many pets are easier to take care of than dogs, but I’ve enjoyed having a dog more than the other pets I’ve had. I’ve decided that having a dog is the best pet for me. These are the many reasons I have decided dogs are the best pets for my family. I think dogs are friendlier than cats. When I come home from work my cat hardly notices I’m there. She never acts excited to see me, but my dog thinks she can talk. She smiles when I walk through the door and barks everything that happened in her day. I often wonder what she’s telling me! Dogs are more fun than cats. You can take a dog for a walk. Have you ever tried taking a cat for a walk? When you’re walking your dog, you make lots of new friends: dogs and people. You can get together with other dog owners and walk together. You can teach dogs tricks. My dog came somewhat trained. I didn’t know what kind of tricks she could do. When she wants a treat, she sits. She also talks when she wants a treat, but the funniest trick is watching her ears go up when she sees watermelon. It’s her favorite treat!These are the many reasons I like dogs. Dogs are always glad to see you even if you’ve been gone ten minutes. You can make lots of new friends when you own a dog. In fact many people have met new dating partners when they have a dog. You can also teach your dog many new things and they are willing to learn. Dogs are definitely man’s best friend, woman’s too!

Now it’s your turn….

With your group, write a paragraph about a pet or a type of food. Turn your paragraph into a five paragraph essay. Make sure you use a hook. Share your essay with the group!


Barbara W. StoffEnglish Language SpecialistMongolian Mentor’s Project American Embassy MongoliaMongolian Education Alliance

[email protected]

back to power writing

Documents