SLAYING THE FIVE PARAGRAPH MONSTER:

1. SLAYING THE FIVE PARAGRAPH MONSTER: How to teach and grade the five-paragraph theme

2. WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES Following the workshop, participants will be able to: • Identify the components of the five paragraph essay format • Devise appropriate rubrics to assess students’ writings • Implement writing within specific subject areas • Identify and implement the domains established by the PSSA Rubric

3. TODAY’S AGENDA 1. Background • The Five Paragraph Essay Format • RUBRICS • SAMPLES AND SCORING

4. WHY IS WRITING IMPORTANT?

5. Organizing the five-paragraph essay

6. The Introduction The introduction should contain a: • Lead-in sentence / attention getter • Should grab the reader’s attention and generally hint at or introduce the topic to be discussed in rest of paper • Central Idea (Purpose) • Should state the main point of your paper / what you’re attempting to prove in your paper • Thesis Statement (Plan) • Should provide a series of “proofs” (evidence) that will support your central idea (C.I.) • Ask: What will I use to prove my C.I.?

7. The Body Paragraphs Each body paragraph should contain: • Topic Sentence (T.S.) • Relates item from paper’s thesis to its C.I. • Supporting Sentences • At LEAST three • Expand / Develop the topic established in your topic sentence • Clincher Sentence • Wraps up the topic of the body paragraph • Establishes how the paragraph supports the paper’s C.I. / thesis

8. The Conclusion Conclusion should: • Restate the C.I. In different words (generally) • Summarize the info. presented • Find deeper meaning in the info. presented in the paper (relevance / significance) • Show reader that the paper has reached end

9. Transitions Transitions should: • Help thoughts flow smoothly from intro. to conclusion • Show connections between paragraph just ended and paragraph being read

10. Therefore Accordingly In spite of this An example of this Lastly Also Furthermore Similarly However Consequently Finally In addition Nevertheless On the contrary Common transitional expressions

11. THE PSSA SCORING RUBRIC • THE VARIOUS DOMAINS OF THE SCORING RUBRIC 2. HOW TO INCORPORATE THE RUBRIC INTO YOUR CLASSROOM

12. FOCUS • There is one clear Central idea to the essay • All of the points within the essay serve to support that central idea • No unrelated ideas are contained

13. CONTENT • Details strengthen and support the central idea of the essay • Ideas are explained sufficiently • Concrete examples, facts, and explanations provided

14. ORGANIZATION • The essay contains a clear introduction & Conclusion • Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence • The sentences are in a logical order • The sentences are clearly related to one another • Clincher back to CI at end of body paragraphs

15. STYLE • A variety of sentence structures are used • An appropriate vocabulary level is used • All sentences are clearly written • Addressing the audience appropriately • Formal (no contractions, no 1st or 2nd person) • Don’t allude to your “essay” and “writing”

16. CONVENTIONS • Words are spelled correctly • Correct punctuation is used • Sentences are grammatically correct

17. SAMPLE SCORING RUBRICS • The Basics • 5 paragraph essay • Research paper • Analytic Rubric (for the future)

18. WRITING HELP/HINTS Sample of set-up Citing quotes/passages Citing shakespeare

19. SAMPLE STUDENT WORK COME WITH SAMPLE ESSAYS FOR OUR NEXT SESSION!