How to Write a SAW

1. How to Write a SAW (Stand Alone Writing)

2. Structure • 5 Paragraphs • Introduction • Body Para. 1 • Body Para. 2 • Body Para. 3 • Conclusion

3. Structure • 5 Paragraphs • Introduction • Hook: (Easiest) Restate in an “everyone statement” as your attention device • Thesis & Plan of Development: Restate the prompt and, in the same sentence, list your reasons (RAR of RARE) • Body Para. 1 • Body Para. 2 • Body Para. 3 • Conclusion

4. Hook Practice • What are your favorite foods? • Nearly everyone has favorite foods. • What are your favorite sports? • Nearly everyone can name their favorite sports. • Who are your best friends? • …? • Who are the best teachers in this school? • Who are the best bands of all time?

5. Good!  Now, let’s walk through an essay together.

6. PROMPT: What are your favorite breeds of dogs? SAMPLE HOOKS: • Nearly everyone could list breeds of dogs they like. • Everyone who likes dogs has their favorite types.

7. Add a Thesis + P.o.D. PROMPT: • What are your favorite breeds of dogs? • My favorite breeds of dogs include the Boxer, Labrador, and Rottweiler.

8. Combine Hook + Thesis/P.o.D. • AND YOU HAVE A COMPLETED INTRODUCTION! • Remember the PROMPT: Name your favorite breeds of dogs. Nearly everyone could list breeds of dogs they like. My favorite breeds are the Boxer, Labrador, and Rottweiler.

9. For the INTRODUCTION • Structure intro. para. from “RARE” for short answer questions • Restate • Answer • list Reasons (in an essay, always list 3!) • BUT DON’T EXPLAIN!!!!! STOP THERE! • your explanations will be in your body paragraphs

10. Structure (Revisited) • 5 Paragraphs • Introduction • Body Para. 1 (1st thing you listed in your RAR) • Body Para. 2 • Body Para. 3 • Conclusion

11. Body Para. 1 • Use a transition word or phrase • Follow it with a comma • First, • Most importantly, • Finish that sentence with the name of the first favorite breed of dog you said you liked. This is called a topic sentence. • First, my very favorite breed is the Boxer. • Most importantly, I love the Boxer dog.

12. The Rest of Body Para. 1 • Write a REAONS SENTENCE stating WHY you picked whatever you’re listing first • First, my favorite breed of dog is the Boxer. When I was a child, my parents bought me a Boxer puppy named Spike. • Then, add 2 to 3 more sentences that give details about your REASON SENTENCE • First, my favorite breed of dog is the Boxer. When I was a child, my parents bought me a Boxer puppy named Spike. He was my best friend. Spike protected me. He followed me while I played in the woods and warned me if snakes were near by barking. I was heartbroken when Spike died the day after I turned eight years old.

13. Structure (Revisited) • 5 Paragraphs • Introduction • Body Para. 1 • Body Para. 2 (2nd thing you listed in your RAR) • Body Para. 3 • Conclusion

14. Body Para. 2 • Use a new transition word or phrase • Follow it with a comma • Second, • Besides the Boxer, • Finish that sentence with the name of the second favorite breed of dog you said you liked. Remember, this is a topic sentence. • Second, I also really like Labrador dogs. • Besides the Boxer, I love Labradors.

15. The Rest of Body Para. 2 • Write a REAONS SENTENCE stating WHY you picked whatever you’re listing second • Second, my next favorite breed of dog is the Labrador. After my dog died, my parents wouldn’t buy me another one for awhile because we moved. • Then, add 2 to 3 more sentences that give details about your REASON SENTENCE • Second, my next favorite breed of dog is the Labrador. After my dog died, my parents wouldn’t buy me another one for awhile because we moved. That was okay, though, because my neighbors had two big labs. One was black and one was yellow. They were really nice to me and I got to play fetch with them!

16. Structure (Revisited) • 5 Paragraphs • Introduction • Body Para. 1 • Body Para. 2 • Body Para. 3 (3rd thing you listed in your RAR) • Conclusion

17. Body Para. 3 • Use a new transition word or phrase • Follow it with a comma • Third, • Last, • Finish that sentence with the name of the third favorite breed of dog you said you liked. What kind of sentence is this? • Third, I think Rottweilers are really neat dogs. • Last, I really adore Rottweilers.

18. The Rest of Body Para. 3 • Write a REAONS SENTENCE stating WHY you picked whatever you’re listing third • Third, my next favorite breed of dog is the Rottweiler. My other neighbors had a big, old Rottweiler named Deeker. • Then, add 2 to 3 more sentences that give details about your REASON SENTENCE • Third, my next favorite breed of dog is the Rottweiler. My other neighbors had a big, old Rottweiler named Deeker. At first, I was scared of Deeker because I heard that Rottweilers were mean. However, Deeker was old and gentle. He let me ride on his back while I pretended he was a horse. He never got mad or growled at me!

19. Structure • 5 Paragraphs • Introduction • Body Para. 1 • Body Para. 2 • Body Para. 3 • Conclusion

20. Conclusion • Use a new transition word or phrase • Follow it with a comma • In conclusion, • In summary, • Restate (but slightly reword) your “everyone” hook and your thesis + p.o.d. • In conclusion, nearly everyone has their favorite breeds of dogs. Mine are the Boxer, Labrador, and Rottweiler.

21. and FINALLY! • Add 1 or 2 sentences that say something “new” • In conclusion, nearly everyone has their favorite breeds of dogs. Mine are the Boxer, Labrador, and Rottweiler. Because of the happy memories I made with each of these types of dogs, I hope that everyone comes to love these breeds as much as I do.

22. Bringing it all together: • How does our essay look now? Click here!