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Before writing anything a student must know the assignment - clearly read the PROMPT.

Typical prompts ask students to… Respond to Literature Discuss what was learned in relation to a

specific topic - expository Persuade - Convince a reader to

believe/support a certain way of thinking

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THE BUILDING BLOCK OF WRITING -How to write an effective paragraph

Each paragraph will include the following:A Topic Sentence (TS)Concrete Details (CD) Commentary Sentences (CM)Concluding Sentences (CS)

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The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph.

It proclaims the main idea and contains an opinion. Usually a mildly controversial statement- something that you have to prove. It can be as brief as three words.

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In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the

third pig was very wise.

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CDs = Support for your TS. (facts, quotes, statistics, examples, paraphrases etc. from the text or research.)

CDs can’t be argued with - a CD is evidence that supports your point

CDs can be direct quotes or paraphrased information

CDs include the “stuff from the story, reading, article, etc.”

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For example, he remembered his mother’s warning about a wolf, and built his house out

of sturdy brick.

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CMs = your analysis, interpretation, inferences, opinion, explanation or insight.

CMs = the “so what?”

CMs = the stuff from your head

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The frustrated wolf gave up extremely easily after a half-hearted attempt to blow down the sturdy and intimidating brick house. This shows that the third pig was much more intelligent than his brothers, who

were devoured by the wolf.

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A CS wraps up the paragraph. It brings the reader back to the original topic without repeating the same words or

summarizing.

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The third pig of the legendary fable outsmarts not only his brothers but

the “big, bad” wolf as well.

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In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig was very wise. For example, he remembered his mother’s warning about a wolf and built his house out of sturdy brick. The frustrated wolf gave up extremely easily after a half-hearted attempt to blow down the sturdy and intimidating brick house. This shows that the third pig was much more intelligent than his brothers, who were devoured by the wolf. The third pig of the legendary fable outsmarts not only his brothers but the “big bad” wolf as well.

Putting it all together!

Like all characters, Esperanza faces many conflicts in Esperanza Rising.

◦ What are some struggles that Esperanza faces?◦ How does she ultimately overcome her struggles?

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Chapter 1 of Immigrant Kids describes the journey to Ellis Island and the different checkpoints that Immigrants must travel through in order to gain admittance to America.

◦ What types of inspections and examinations did Immigrants need to pass in order to enter America?

◦ What might be a reason the American authorities had these inspections prior to entering America?

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