Writing+Tips

=**Writing Wiki Page - Table of Contents**= Scroll down to see the following information 1. Paragraph Rubric 2. Plan a Paragraph 3. C.O.P.S. Your Work 4. How to Make Jot Notes 5. Sequence Writing 6. RAPCO

**__Paragraph Writing - Rubric __** Here is the rubric that I will be using to evaluate your paragraphs:

Level 1 - no topic sentence, concluding sentence - no details - short sentences - no signal words - doesn’t even look like a paragraph - full of spelling and grammar errors - hard to understand

Level 2 - no or very typical topic sentence - no or very typical concluding sentence - looks like a paragraph - some signal words - a few details - not enough information - many grammar and spelling errors

Level 3 - topic sentence - concluding sentence - uses signal words - more details - easy to read - some grammar or spelling errors

Level 4 - creative topic sentence - creative concluding sentence - great vocabulary - excellent use of signal words - no spelling or grammar errors - good flow - easy to read - proper sentences (compound, complex and simple sentences) - concise details

=__ Plan a paragraph __ = Step 1 Pick a topic. Step 2 Jot down three facts. Step 3 Add supporting details (proof). Step 4 Create a __topic sentence.__ Step 5 Write jot notes and supporting details into complete sentences. Step 6 Write a __closing sentence__ using one of these sentence starters; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">As you can see… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">As I’ve shown you,… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It should be clear by now that… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Obviously,… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Without any doubt,… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Clearly,… <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It should now come as no surprise that… <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Step 7 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Read through your paragraph and make sure it makes sense and COPS your work

__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">C.O.P.S. YOUR WORK **__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**C** = capitals (beginings of sentences, proper nouns) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**O** = ommisions ( endings (s, ed, er, ed, ing), words left out, words that need to be left out) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**P** = punctuation (., ? ! " ") <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**S** = spelling (circle any words you want to check)

- use your own words to make long sentences shorter
 * __ How to Make Jot Notes __**

- begin with a dash and do NOT finish with a period

- write out important facts only

- only use capitals on places or people

- do not use adjectives or adverbs


 * __ Sequence/Procedural/Instructional __****__ Writing __**

- Good for instructions where order is important

__ Signal Words __

- good at the beginning of a sentence

- adds variety

- Examples: First, Second, Third, Now, Then, After that, Next, At last, Finally, Not long after

RAPCO when responding to Questions

R estate the question A nswer the question P roof from the text for your answer C onnections to self, text, media, world O pinion