Jane C. Schaffer-High School Writing Process

Terminology Thesis

Sentence with a subject/topic- in science writing this is not an opinion but a statement that can be backed up with facts or data

Pre-Writing Getting ideas down BEFORE writing your

paragraph- Use graphic organizers here Concrete Detail- Specific Details or facts

(example- use data or evidence here) Commentary- Explanation of the concrete detail

Terminology Concluding Sentence

Last sentence in body paragraphs Statement/Assertion- Introduces concrete detail-

who, what, when, where, why Shaping your essay- write the thesis and topic

sentence of each paragraph before starting your essay

Conclusion- last paragraph which is all commentary. In science this is the point in which you would summarize you information or data

Terminology Ratio- One part concrete detail to 2

parts commentary Peer Response- written responses to a

partner’s paper

Always go from General to specific

Thesis

Topic Sentence

Concrete Detail

Commentary

Step 1- Pre-Writing What is our topic? Do your research and gather

information here! Use graphic organizers to organize your

information. What are some examples of graphic

organizers? How do we use graphic organizers?

Get Ready to Color Your World!

Materials: When we write, we will use blue, red, and green pens.

–GREEN is for Commentary Sentences (CM).

–RED is for Concrete Details (CD).

–BLUE is for Topic Sentences (TS) and Concluding Sentences (CS).

Step 1: TOPIC SENTENCEA Topic Sentence

(TS) is the top bun of a hamburger.

• TS = first sentence of the paragraph. It shows the main idea.

• Usually something that you have to prove.

1) Rising temperatures due to global warming are negatively impacting many organisms on our planet.

Example Topic Sentence (TS)

Step 2: CONCRETE DETAILS

Concrete Details (CD) are the meat of the hamburger.

• CDs = facts, quotes, examples, etc. from resources or your experiment.

• CDs can’t be argued with—a CD is evidence that supports your point!

Example Concrete Detail (CD)

2) Since 1880 the average temperature around the world has climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3: COMMENTARYCommentary

Sentences (CM) are the “extras” on the hamburger—the tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayo—they make it delicious!

• CMs = your analysis, interpretation, explanation, or insight into the text.

Example Commentary Sentences (2 CMs)1) This is causing arctic ice to melt rapidly and the Arctic region may lose all ice by the year 2040 if global warming continues at this rate. 2) This is having negative impacts on many organisms, including polar bears and corals.

Step 4: CONCLUDING SENTENCE

A concluding sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger.

• A CS wraps up the paragraph. It rephrases the main idea.

Example Concluding Sentence (CS)

5) If something is not done to change the rate of rising temperatures due to global warming many organisms may go extinct from our planet.

TS, CD, CM, CS—Now What?CHUNKING

In Science, we will mostly use a combination (or “ratio”) of 1:3. That is, for every 1 CD, you will have 3 CMs.

A combination of CDs and CMs is called a “chunk.”

One Chunk: 1 CD + 3 CM

Since 1880 the average temperature around the world has climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit.This is causing arctic ice to melt rapidly and the Arctic region may lose all ice by the year 2040 if global warming continues at this rate. This is having negative impacts on many organisms, including polar bears and corals.

Ratio = 1:3

LET’S EAT!Now you know how to

write a one-chunk paragraph!

Let’s read it all together:

Step 6: A Whole ParagraphRising temperatures due to global

warming are negatively impacting many organisms on our planet. Since 1880 the average temperature around the world has climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. This is causing arctic ice to melt rapidly and the Arctic region may lose all ice by the year 2040 if global warming continues at this rate. This is having negative impacts on many organisms, including polar bears and corals. If something is not done to change the rate of rising temperatures due to global warming many organisms may go extinct from our planet.