1. 6th Grade RWCWriting, Unit 1Effective Writing Skills Berry Creek Middle School 2011-2012

2. Priority Standards • Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. • Write informative/explanatory text to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. • Produce clear and coherent writing in which development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience.

3. RWC, Writing, Unit 1 • Essential Questions • Why is it important to consider purpose and audience in your writing? • Why does a writer need to support ideas and reasons and evidence?

4. Week 1-Learning Target • Students will be able to write to a specific audience and communicate using clear ideas and evidence. • What is an argument? • Why does a writer need to support ides with reasons and evidence? • What is opinion versus fact? • What are pros and cons? • When would people make a pros/cons list?

5. Week 2-Learning Target • Students will be able to write to a specific audience and communicate using clear ideas and evidence. • What is the the writing process? • Development • Organization • Style • Task • Purpose • Audience

6. Week 3-Learning Target • Students will be able to write to a specific audience and communicate using clear ideas and evidence. • What is an informative/explanatory text? • Ideas/concepts • Organization • Relevant information • How can I identify main idea(s) and supporting details in informative writing?

7. Week 4-Learning Target • Students will be able to write to a specific audience and communicate using clear ideas and evidence. • A good argument is supported by claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. • How do I write a clear, coherent, organized argument appropriate to the task, purpose and audience?

8. What is an argument? • An argument includes a main idea and specific, relevant, supporting details to persuade the audience to believe or do something. • An argument includes: • Claims • Clear reasons • Relevant information

9. Types of Writing • Expository – Explain, show, inform or prove to provide information such as an explanation or directions. • Descriptive -to describe a person, place, or event so that the topic can be clearly seen in the reader's mind. The writer must use vivid details that paint a picture for the reader.

10. Types of Writing Cont. • Narrative –to describe an experience, event, or sequence of events in the form of a story. • Persuasive –to give an opinion and try to influence the reader's way of thinking with supporting evidence. • Technical-conveying technical information in a simple, no-nonsense manner

11. Why do we need to learn to expository writing? • Required in school and work and life. • Helps writers to think clearly and logically. • Helps writers learn content. • Prepares students for speeches and oral presentations • To be PROFICIENT on writing assessments

12. Five Elements of Expository Writing • Organization is the key. • Topic sentences and thesis statements are the heart. • Transitions are the glue. • Examples, evidence and explanation are the meat. • Conclusions tie it all together.

13. RWC, Writing, Unit 1 • Essential Question #1 Q: Why is it important to consider purpose and audience in your writing? A: Purpose and audience shape the content and style of writing.

14. RWC, Writing, Unit 1 • Essential Question #2 Q: Why does a writer need to support ideas and reasons and evidence? A: People are more likely to believe what they read when it is supported with reasons and evidence.