Warm-Up• On the first page of the warm up section of

your spiral, write the 1st Term Warm Ups, then skip a line and write the date and respond to the following question: (3-4 sentences)

Did you have a good weekend? Give at least one specific reason

why or why not. Explain.

A High School Body Paragraph

• 11 sentences!!!– Introductory sentence– 3 pieces of evidence– 6 pieces of explanation– Concluding sentence

Topic Sentence (TS)

• The first sentence in a body paragraph that tells the main idea

Example of a TS

• I had a wonderful weekend because I spent time with my friends.

Concrete Detail (CD)• Specific details that prove or support the point

of your body paragraph and can’t be argued with

• Facts• Examples• Quotes• Evidence

• Always begin a CD with a transition word!! (ex: first, next, finally, also, in addition, in conclusion, for example, etc.)

Example of a CD

• First of all, I went to lunch with my friend, Liz, at The Grove, and we talked for two hours.

• Support TS?• Specific?• Transition word?

Commentary (CM)

• The analysis or interpretation of your examples; how your CD relates to your TS– Opinion– Insight– Analysis– Explanation

Example of CMs

• Being with Liz is fun because we never fight and we remember all things that happened to us at UT. Since I hadn’t seen Liz in a long time, it was great hanging out with her and catching up.

• Opinion?• Relate to CD?• Relate to TS?

UT v. USC National Championship Game

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOY8H9ZVsGk

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeiXFtkGp2s

4th and 5. The National Championship on the line right here.

Young from the shotgun. Back to throw.

Vince looks. Under pressure.

He’ll tuck it and run. Vince to the 5.

Young! Touchdown Texas! Touchdown Vince Young!

He’s done it again! Vince Young has given the Longhorns the lead! With 19 seconds to play in the game!

This is an incredible individual effort from Vince Young.

You can have the perfect defense called. You can push him out of the pocket. But you’re not going to beat him. InVINCEable!

Concluding Sentence (CS)

• The last sentence in a body paragraph that wraps up your main point

• Does NOT repeat key words! (rephrases)• Ties up the paragraph with a bow…or a bun

Example of a CS

• In conclusion, because I had the opportunity to spend time with my friends, my weekend was a success.

Ratio

• CD:CM– The number of CDs as compared to the number of

CMs• For most essays, your ratio will be 1:2• A “chunk” = the ratio

Example of a One Chunk Paragraph

I had a wonderful weekend because I spent time with my friends. First of all, I went to lunch with my friend, Liz, at The Grove, and we talked for two hours. Being with Liz is fun because we never fight and we remember all things that happened to us in Waco. Since I hadn’t seen Liz in a long time, it was great hanging out with her and catching up.In conclusion, because I had the opportunity to spend time with my friends, my Labor Day weekend was a success.

Example of a Three Chunk Paragraph

I had a wonderful weekend because I spent time with my friends and family. First of all, I went to lunch with my friend, Liz, at The Grove, and we talked for two hours. Being with Liz is fun because we never fight and we remember all things that happened to us in Waco. Since I hadn’t seen Liz in a long time, it was great hanging out with her and catching up. In addition, I went to see The Hundred Foot Journey with my mom and my brother. We enjoyed going to the movies because it was a great way to relax after a long, hot day. Since my family likes to cook, this movie was a perfect choice. Finally, I went to the Texas game with a group of friends. We were excited to wear burnt orange and cheer for the BEST team in the nation. This demonstrates one of the best parts of my weekend because I was doing what I love with people who I love. In conclusion, because I had the opportunity to spend time with my friends and my family, my Labor Day weekend was a success.

Steps in the Writing Process

1. Brainstorm2. Pre-Write3. Shape the essay (outline)4. Make a draft5. Peer Edit6. Revise7. Final Copy

More Examples

• Iron Bowl 2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GKmkD1pUG0

• Michael Jordan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxNnEpeUXy4