Four Square Writing Method

1. Four Square Writing Method

2. Introduction - lesson 1 4 Square Method is a way to learn to write. (for any grade or any subject) When we teach math give you formulas teach science we give you a scientific method teach reading give you decoding skills

3. 4 Square Method can be used for all types of writing: • Narrative • Descriptive • Expository • Persuasive

4. This method will guarantee that you can write with confidence. • We will use a Graphic Organizer (picture diagram) to plan and organize our prewriting and drafting.

5. 4 Square - lesson 2 Examples Definitions Subtopics From reading you know about MainIdeas and details. (also used in writing) In this lesson we’ll learn about Broad Ideas and “Topics.”

6. Examples:

7. Four Square - lesson 3 Let us look at how understanding topic and subtopic can move us toward writing. Here is a four square format. 2. Detail 3. Detail (2.,3.,4.) are examples, details, or definitions of (1.) subtopics (5.) wrap-up sentence includes All the ideas from the 4 square in a series sentence 1. Claim 4. Detail 5. Sum. Sent.

8. Example: 2. Pretzels 3. Popcorn 1. Snacks 4. Peanuts 5. Pretzels, popcorn, and peanuts are snacks.

9. Four Square - lesson 4 Now we’ll change from a word phrasein the center box to a complete sentence. Now boxes 2,3,and 4 will contain reasons, examples, and explanations that prove box 1 (center box) is true.

10. 2. Easy to Cook 3. Fun to eat 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 5. 4. Delicious Conjunction since, because, due to good to use in summary sentences My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to cook, fun to eat, and delicious.

11. Add more details... 2. It’s easy to cook - roll up meat - throw in pot - pour store bought sauce 3. It’s fun to eat - twirl on fork - slurp it - splatter the sauce 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. 5. 4. It’s delicious - tomatoes - Italian spices - filling meat My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious.

12. Add Transition Words (connectors) and Adjectives/Adverbs (vivids)... Formula: Four + 3 + C + V Four square Details Connectors Vivids • “Transition words” (First, Second, Next, Then, Last, Finally, Also, In addition to) help bridge the gap between ideas. They provide smooth reading when changing paragraphs. • Adding “vivid words helps you develop style in your writing. • You will be adding • What you (the writer) see,hear,feel,smell, and taste. • The emotional state of you (the writer)

13. Example: First Also 2. It’s easy. It’s fun to eat. 3. • roll up meat • golf balls • throw in pot • huge cauldron size • pour on store-bought sauce • Mama someone or other • twirl on fork • looks like a twister • slurp it • loud smacking noises • splatter the sauce • like an explosion 1. My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. Third 5. So you can see It’s delicious. 4. • tomatoes • red and tangy • Italian spices • zippy garlic • filling meat • like a hamburger My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious.

14. Improving ( Expanding) Introduction Paragraph • Introduction paragraph • gives reader an overview • sets the tone (what to expect) • first impression (will the reader want to read on) • Now we will include • 1st - topic sentence • My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs • 2nd - wrap-up sentence • It’s my favorite because it’s easy to eat to make, fun to eat, and delicious. • 3rd - personal narrative • I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night.

15. Improving (Expanding) The Final Paragraph • The last step is expanding the final paragraph • final chance to bring message to reader. • Summary • final emphasis of main ideas • Now we will include • 1st - Wrap-up sentence with connecting word • So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat, and delicious • 2nd - Personal narrative sentence(s) (question or exclamation)Make it perky! • I think my mom is making some tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner?

16. Sample Essay: My favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my favorite because it’s easy to make fun to eat, and delicious. I could eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner every night. First, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy. You simply roll up the meat into golf ball-sized pieces, then throw them in the pot. I use a huge cauldron-sized pot. Pour on the store-bought sauce. My favorite brand is Mama someone or other. Also, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s fun to eat. I like to twirl it on my fork. It looks just like a twister. It’s fun to slurp because it makes a loud smacking noise. I always splatter the sauce. When I’m done, it looks like an explosion. Third, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s delicious. I like the tangy taste of red tomatoes. The Italian spices are great, especially the zippy garlic. The meat is very filling, like a hamburger. So you can see, my favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs because it’s easy to make, fun to eat and delicious. I think my mom is making some tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner?

17. You try a different example... 2. Ivy vine winding around the trunk of a tree. -symbiosis/commensalism -parasitic? - 3. Wolf with bared fangs growling at him. -predator/prey - - 1. In this story, Joshua observes many relationships while walking down a road. 4. Yellow flowers taking over the purple flowers. -competition -dominant species - 5. In his short walk Joshua observed may relationships such as commensalism, predation, and competition. Check: 1) factual reasons (not opinions) 2) No repetition of details 3) Details are logical expansions of the reasons. 4) Wrap up sentence includes all 3 subtopics.

18. In this story, Joshua observes many relationships while walking down a road. For example, he saw ivy vine winding around the trunk of a tree.This could be commensalism because the ivy is getting support and the tree is really not being harmed, but in the future if the tree starts to look dead then we know that the ivy is harmful to the tree and the relationship really is parasitic where the ivy is choking the life out of the tree. Another example of a relationship he observed is when he encountered the wolf. The wolf was a predator.He could easily have hurt Joshua though Joshua got lucky and got out of the way. By far the most interesting relationship he saw was the competition between yellow and purple flowers.From Joshua’s observation we could conclude that the yellow flowers are the dominant species and eventually will overtake the purple flowers in that environment.It is amazing how many relationship Joshua was able to observe in his short walk.

19. Joshua’s simple walk down a road is filled with observation that an ecologist may find informative. During his stroll, Joshua observes many relationships in nature that are necessary part of an ecosystem. For example, he saw ivy vine winding around the trunk of a tree. This could be commensalism because the ivy is getting support and the tree is really not being harmed, but in the future if the tree starts to look dead then we know that the ivy is harmful to the tree and the relationship really is parasitic where the ivy is choking the life out of the tree. Another example of a relationship he observed is when he encountered the wolf. The wolf was a predator.He could easily have hurt Joshua though Joshua got lucky and got out of the way. By far the most interesting relationship he saw would be the competition between yellow and purple flower.From Joshua’s observation I would have to conclude that the yellow flowers are the dominant species and eventually overtake the purple flowers in that environment.It is amazing how many relationship Joshua was able to observe in his short walk.

20. Yellowstone National Park Ecosystem Suppose that gray wolves are eliminated from Yellowstone National Park. Predict how the change in the wolf population would initially affect one of the consumers in your food web. Use evidence to justify your prediction

21. Food Web • Coyotes Gray Wolves • Foxes Hawks • Elk Deer Rabbits Mice Grasses

22. You try a different example. Fill in the missing information then write your essay 3. 2. Foxes (Provide Details, examples, definitions, etc in each of the yellow boxes) Deer 1. If the gray wolves were eliminated from the Yellowstone Park Food Web, then (state your claim) 4. 5. Rabbits The evidence provided proves that if the gray wolves were eliminated from the Yellowstone Park Food Web, then (restate claim). Check: 1) factual reasons (not opinions) 2) No repetition of details 3) Details are logical expansions of the reasons. 4) Wrap up sentence includes all 3 subtopics.