High School Writing Lesson Using the Writing Process to Perfect Your Work

High School Writing LessonHigh School Writing LessonUsing the Writing Process to Perfect Using the Writing Process to Perfect

Your WorkYour Work

A Return to Writing Process A Return to Writing Process InstructionInstruction

Writing TopicWriting Topic

Many people believe that social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are more harmful than they are valuable.Think about the role of networking sites in your life and the lives of others.Now write to explain to an adult in your school whether or not social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have positive or negative effects in today’s society.

PREWRITING:PREWRITING:The power is in the thinking.The power is in the thinking.

Three Steps in PrewritingThree Steps in Prewriting

1. Analyze the prompt

2. Generate ideas for topics.

3. Organize ideas into a graphic organizer or outline.

Prewriting Prewriting

•Step One: Analyze the prompt.

•Step Two: Generate ideas for writing.

•Step Three: Organize ideas using a graphic organizer.

PrewritingPrewritingStep One: Analyze the Step One: Analyze the

prompt .prompt .

•Purpose (P) – Determine the purpose for writing.

•Audience (A) – Identify to whom you are writing.

•Subject (S) What is the subject for writing?

LetLet’’s analyze our prompt. Identify s analyze our prompt. Identify purpose, audience, and subject. purpose, audience, and subject.

Many people believe that social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are more harmful than they are valuable.

Think about the role of networking sites in your life and the lives of others.

Now write to explain to an adult in your school whether or not social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have positive or negative effects in today’s society.

LetLet’’s analyze our prompt. Identify s analyze our prompt. Identify purpose, audience, and subject. purpose, audience, and subject.

PURPOSE AUDIENCE

SUBJECTMany people believe that social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are more harmful than they are valuable.







Writing PromptWriting Prompt




After analyzing prompt, brainstorm After analyzing prompt, brainstorm ideas on back of planning sheet.ideas on back of planning sheet.

Turn over your paper and brainstorm as many ideas as you can for the good and bad qualities of social networking.

• Putting your personal information for the public to see jeopardizes your safety

• On the news, there are examples of adults pretending to be kids who prey on kids who post their personal profile and contact information.





Organizing Ideas for WritingOrganizing Ideas for Writing

•Does your list have more good or bad ideas about social network?

•Let’s take the position that has the most evidence.

•As a group, let’s select three main ideas from our list that supports our claim.

•Now, turn your paper over and create a graphic organizer with three columns and three rows. (tic-tac-toe board)

Organize your ideas by creating a Tic-Tac-Toe Grid.

Organizing Ideas for Writing

Subject or Topic for Writing:

Main point 1 Main point 2 Main point 3

Example 1 Example 1 Example 1

Example 2 Example 2 Example 2

Subject or Topic for Writing:

Main point 2 Main point 3

Example 1 Example 1

Example 2 Example 2

Negative aspects of social networking sites

Your personal information can be accessed by those you do and do not know, putting you at risk.News programs like 20/20 report stories of adults who pose as kids. There was a case of a kid on FB who made arrangements to meet someone.

Cyber bullying is a problem. Kids who put up Facebook profiles that are public can be bullied by classmates.

DRAFTINGDRAFTING

As we go through the As we go through the activities today, keep activities today, keep your eye on the prize.your eye on the prize.

The writing is focused on the topic, and its organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas. Effective use of transitional devices contributes to a sense of completeness. The support is developed through ample use of specific details and examples. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language, and there is variation in sentence structure. The response generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

Drafting: The IntroductionDrafting: The Introduction

How to Write an Introduction: How to Write an Introduction: The BasicsThe Basics

•Start with something that provides a context that connects the prompt to the real world. Think BIG PICTURE. Make it real and interesting to your reader.

•Present a thesis statement or claim that expresses in clear and direct language your answer to the prompt. •You may choose to outline the main points of your essay but avoid supporting details and trite listing.

LetLet’’s look at my example.s look at my example.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are a wonderful way to connect with friends and relatives across town or across the country. Regardless, there are many negative aspects to social networking that endanger young people physically and emotionally. When students are given freedom to explore social networks, they may find themselves exposed to cyber predators, social withdrawal, and a future with no privacy.

Now you try to create your own Now you try to create your own introduction.introduction.




DRAFTING THE BODY PARAGRAPHSDRAFTING THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

How to Write Body Paragraphs: How to Write Body Paragraphs: The BasicsThe Basics

•Start with your main idea. What is the main point you will be discussing?

•Explain your evidence. Remember that your evidence should be “authentic.” This means use something you have witnessed first hand, read about, seen on television or the Internet, etc. Don’t make up information without some knowledge.

•Explain how your evidence supports your main idea. You must show the connection between your main idea and the evidence.

LetLet’’s take a look at an example of a s take a look at an example of a body paragraph for our prompt.body paragraph for our prompt.

Perhaps one of the greatest dangers of social networking sites is how vulnerable a young person is to cyber predators. When you are communicating through Facebook or Twitter, your profile and your information becomes public to people you don’t know. Even though you may only let your friends have access to your information, there are many people who know how to go around those protections. I have seen on the news many cases of adults who pretend to be kids who trick children and teenagers into becoming friends with them and then setting up a place to meet. Some kids who are lost often seek out friends on Facebook and the Internet. Unfortunately, their desire to have a friend clouds their judgment and could lead to a meeting with a dangerous criminal or sick individual.

LetLet’’s take a closer look at language, s take a closer look at language, syntax, and transitional words in this syntax, and transitional words in this

body paragraph.body paragraph.

Perhaps one of the greatest dangers of social networking sites is how vulnerable a young person is to cyber predators. When you are communicating through Facebook or Twitter, your profile and your information becomes public to people you don’t know. Even though you may only let your friends have access to your information, there are many people who know how to go around those protections. I have seen on the news many cases of adults who pretend to be kids who trick children and teenagers into becoming friends with them and then setting up a place to meet. Some kids are lost. They seek out friends on Facebook and the Internet. Unfortunately, their desire to have a friend clouds their judgment and could lead to a meeting with a dangerous criminal or sick individual.

Create two body paragraphs based on Create two body paragraphs based on the introduction you created on your the introduction you created on your own.own.




DRAFTING THE CONCLUSIONDRAFTING THE CONCLUSION

Drafting the ConclusionDrafting the Conclusion

•The conclusion is one of the most difficult parts of a paper to write, and often, the least discussed.

•A good conclusion should•revisit the original thesis.•provide a statement that answers, “So what?”•leave the reader thinking about the significance of the thesis.

•Let’s take a look at a conclusion.

LetLet’’s look at an example of a s look at an example of a conclusion.conclusion.

While social networking provides opportunities to connect with friends and to learn valuable new information, the dangers far outweigh any positive characteristics. The dangerous predators that hide behind false identities, the addictive nature of social networks, and the loss of privacy brought about by ever-present cameras and computers can gradually and quickly bring about the decline of our physical and emotional well-being. The real world—a world without secrets and avatar disguises– is a much healthier place to grow up.

Now you try to create your own Now you try to create your own thesis. thesis.

•A good conclusion should•revisit the original thesis.•provide a statement that answers, “So what?”•leave the reader thinking about the significance of the writer’s claim.

REVISINGREVISING

Scoring Method for FCAT WritingScoring Method for FCAT Writing

FOCUS: The theme or unifying point is clearly established and maintained throughout.ORGANIZATION: Students demonstrate effective organization pattern and strong, well-crafted transitions that are embedded in the text.SUPPORT: Students provide elaborated examples and the relationship between supporting ideas and the topic is clear. Specific and relevant details are used, in addition to precise word choice.CONVENTIONS: Students vary sentence structure and follow basic conventions.

Strive for the five.Strive for the five.

The writing is focused on the topic, and its organizational pattern provides for a logical progression of ideas. Effective use of transitional devices contributes to a sense of completeness. The support is developed through ample use of specific details and examples. The writing demonstrates a mature command of language, and there is variation in sentence structure. The response generally follows the conventions of mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.

The IntroductionThe Introduction

(1) How does the student begin his or her paper? Does he/she set up a real world or big idea context?

(2) Does the opening make you want to read on?

(3) Can you locate the thesis statement in the first paragraph? Is it clear?

(4) Can you identify his or her purpose, subject matter, and audience?

(5) How could the writer improve this introductory paragraph?

Let’s take a look at this paragraph and Let’s take a look at this paragraph and provide feedback for the writer.provide feedback for the writer.

The Internet and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can be dangerous to young people if they are not careful, but they also offer wonderful opportunities that can open doors socially & academically. As an older person, it may appear that the Internet is a dangerous place, but if used carefully, young people can explore areas of personal interest, make valuable connections, and build networks of people for college and/or careers. I will explain how social networks do this.

The Revised IntroductionThe Revised Introduction

Anthony couldn’t wait to escape the noisy halls of his high school campus to enter the virtual world where he was most comfortable. He was excited about getting on to the new gaming site he had found to reconnect with his new friends who understood his love of games and desire for intelligent conversation. As an older person, you may find the Internet to be a dangerous place, but if used carefully, young people like Anthony can explore areas of personal interest, make valuable connections, and build networks of people that open possibilities for college and careers.

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

(1) Is the topic of each body paragraph clear?

(2) How does the writer introduce the paragraph? Does he or she use creative or subtle transitions, rather than the overused first, second, finally.

(3) Is the evidence for the paragraph strong, specific, and detailed?

(4) Is it evidence for which the writer has first-hand knowledge or has seen, read, or heard in conversation or the news (authentic)?

(5) Does the writer explain how the evidence supports his/her thesis?

Revising the Body ParagraphRevising the Body Paragraph

As a high school students moves up into junior and senior years, social networking sites offer possibilities to establish connections with groups with similar goals. For example, while studying for my AP Language exam, I stumbled upon a Facebook page for kids in AP Lang. I was able to ask questions about subjects in the class and get ideas from other kids who were taking the class also. I could not have survived without the friends I made on that site.

The Revised Body ParagraphThe Revised Body Paragraph

As a high school student moves up into junior and senior years, social networking sites offer possibilities to establish connections with groups with similar goals. For example, while studying for my AP Language exam, I stumbled upon a Facebook page a teacher had established for his class. I was able to actually interact with another student about an assignment my teacher gave us. Now, he and I correspond regularly about our classes, learning the best strategies from his teacher and mine. It is this kind of networking that provides academic support to students in their day-to-day lives. While your generation may discourage the Internet for making friends, this example illustrates the power of relationships built through social networking.

The ConclusionThe Conclusion

(1) Does the writer address the thesis again in a different way?

(2) Does the writer provide the “so what” in his or her conclusion?

(3) Does the writer make an impression on the reader, leaving him with an idea that lingers?

(4) What would you do to the conclusion to make it even better?

Revising the ConclusionRevising the Conclusion

So while older adults may not understand the world of social networks, there is no doubt the high school students of today have found a great resource on sites like Facebook and Twitter. These connections make it possible to expand personal areas of interest, make friends, and build networks for college and career success.

The Revised ConclusionThe Revised Conclusion

While your world may rely to some extent on the “Internet” or “web,” there is no doubt that the high school students of today have unearthed a world of possibilities in social networks. Our future depends on our ability to navigate the world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, You Tube, and other social forums to build healthy relationships, explore areas of personal interest, and make connections that ensure our success in college and our careers.

Revising your DraftRevising your Draft

• Your teacher will return your drafts to you.• Read the feedback carefully from your

teacher.• Revise your paper and attach to your original

draft.• The next step of the process is to edit for

conventions.

EDITING

Identify words in the writing that lack Identify words in the writing that lack specificity or precision.specificity or precision.

(1) Read the sample paper again, this time focusing on words that lack specificity.

(2) Refer to the synonyms list and substitute words for the plain words you identified.

(3) Share some of your changes with the whole class.

TransitionsTransitions

(1) Circle the transitions in the paper. You may have transition words at the beginning of paragraphs or within them.

(2) Try a more sophisticated transition word for some of them.

(3) Read them to a classmate to see how they sound.

(4) Share with the whole class.

Common Student ErrorsCommon Student Errors

(1) You will receive a paper with samples of sentences on student papers.

(2) The sentences require revision.(3) We will work through the rules and corrections

together.(4) Please be supportive and do not make fun of

sentences. You may find your sentences discussed in class too.

Editing Using the Proofreader’s Editing Using the Proofreader’s ChecklistChecklist

• Your teacher will give you a proofreader’s checklist.

• Practice using the proofreader’s checklist in class with the sample paper.

• After your teacher takes you through the sample paper using the teacher proofreader’s list, use the list on your own paper before turning it in.

Documents

High School Writing Lesson Using the Writing Process to Perfect Your Work