Beginning writing 2 part 7

48
Beginning Writing 2
• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com
NAME DATE
 
GETTING STARTED (PREWRITING): R
ECOGNIZING
Y
OUR
P
URPOSE
Your paragraphs will be stronger if you are clear about your
purpose
before you write. Suppose you are writing a paragraph about the legal
driving age in your state. If your purpose was to
inform
, what details
would you likely include? If you are writing to
persuade
, what details
would you include? As you plan your writing, ask yourself:
•What is my
reason
for writing?
•What
effect
do I want my writing to have?
A.
Read the list of topics. Using choices from the box, write the most likely
purpose next to each topic. The first one has been done for you.
to inform to compare/contrast to persuade to describe to entertain

1. how your city got its name _____________________________
2. the wacky adventure of Detective Duck _____________________________
3. consumer choices: a station wagon vs. a
sports utility vehicle _____________________________
4. Waikiki sunset _____________________________
5. Amber Aguero for class president _____________________________
B.
Think about the broad topic, “city life.” On the lines below, write three
different topic sentences for three different purposes.
1.
PURPOSE:
to persuade readers to visit your city
TOPIC SENTENCE:
________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2.
PURPOSE:
to compare your city with another city
TOPIC SENTENCE:
________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3.
PURPOSE:
to describe the most beautiful (or ugliest ) spot
in your city
TOPIC SENTENCE:
________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
CHALLENGE: On the back of this sheet, use one of the sentences you wrote in
Part B as the topic sentence of a paragraph. Keep your purpose in mind as

you add details to your paragraph.
to inform
Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com •
Beginning Writing 2
49
NAME DATE
 
GETTING STARTED (PREWRITING): W
AKE
U
P

AND
S
MELL

THE
I
DEAS
—G
ENERATING
W
RITING
T
OPICS
Student writers sometimes complain that they have nothing to write about.
If you’re living in this world, you have something to say about it! The things
you see, smell, taste, hear, and touch are there to describe. Look in a
newspaper or magazine for articles that spark your interest. Check inside
your own head. There are memories, opinions, and ideas rattling around in

there! The exercises on this page should help you collect some writing ideas.
A.
Look around! Think about things you see everyday—such as the sun
coming through the fog or a line of people at the movie theater. List six
interesting scenes you’ve already seen today.
1. _______________________________ 4. _______________________________
2. _______________________________ 5. _______________________________
3. _______________________________ 6. _______________________________
B.
Read with interest! Scan headlines and interesting articles in a
newspaper or magazine. On the lines below, list six topics that you
found exciting, weird, or in some way interesting.
1. _______________________________ 4. _______________________________
2. _______________________________ 5. _______________________________
3. _______________________________ 6. _______________________________
C.
Get inside your head! What are your own hopes, dreams, and opinions?
What unique memories could you share? Answer the following questions.
1. What is something you believe in and could persuade others to believe?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. What experience stands out in your mind from this past year?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. What one thing do you wish would happen to you tomorrow?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
CHALLENGE: On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph based on one of the
ideas you generated above.
50

Beginning Writing 2
• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com
NAME DATE
 
GETTING STARTED (PREWRITING): P
LAN
A
HEAD
: D
IAGRAMMING

AND
O
UTLINING
I
DEAS
Writers who begin their paragraphs without planning ahead may find themselves
rambling. A little preplanning can make your writing more manageable and the
final results a lot clearer. Practice two simple ways to plan a paragraph:
•You can make a web diagram of your paragraph before you write.
Write your main idea in a center circle. In surrounding circles write
several details that support the main idea.
EXAMPLE:
Complete the web diagrams with details. Make sure each detail supports
the idea stated in the center circle. Add more outer circles if you need to.
•You can also plan a paragraph by making a simple outline showing your main
idea and supporting details.
EXAMPLE:
I. The day my appliances turned against me
a. computer glitch caused history report to disappear

b. microwave over-zapped lunch into a pile of ashes
c. vacuum blew dust out instead of sucking it in
d. answering machine erased message from boyfriend
CHALLENGE: On the back of this sheet, make simple outlines for paragraphs
on two topics of your choice.
A

TERRIFYING

AIRPLANE

FLIGHT
took off in snowstorm
“fasten seatbelt” sign flashed
rough landing
terrible turbulence
captain’s voice over loudspeaker
MY DREAM JOB
OUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com •
Beginning Writing 2
51
NAME DATE
 
WRITING FOR DAILY LIFE: L
ETTERS

OF
I
NVITATION

Imagine you are planning a party. How will you let your party guests know
about the event? You might telephone to invite them. You might send a
preprinted form. You might write a letter announcing the event.
Read the letter of invitation below. Notice that it follows the proper
form for a friendly letter. Then answer the questions that follow.
Annie Pappas
1421 West Chestnut St.
Parkersville, FL 86721
Dear Marcus,
I am giving a party to celebrate the start of summer break and would
very much like you to come. The party will be on Saturday, June 15, at
6:30
P
.
M
. Please come to our neighborhood recreation center for a dinner
barbecue, games, and dancing. The address is 1575 West Elm Street
(just one block north of my house). Wear casual clothing and bring your
favorite CDs for dancing! Hope to see you there!
Your pal,
Annie Pappas
RSVP 697-1855
1. Circle the items of information that Annie’s invitation includes.
a.
type of event
b.
date
c.
place
d.

guest list
e.
appropriate dress
f.
reason for party
g.
what to bring
h.
time party ends
i.
time party begins
j.
if a meal will be served
k.
where to respond to invitation
l.
if guests should bring gifts
2. Answer these questions about the party.
a. What is Annie’s home address? ___________________________________
___________________________________
b. Is this where the party will be held? _____ If not, what is the party
address? ________________________________________________________
c. Will there be both boys and girls at this party? _____ What makes you
think so? ________________________________________________________
d. What type of food will be served? __________________________________
e. What do the letters RSVP ask the guest to do?______________________
CHALLENGE: On the back of this sheet, write a letter of invitation to an
imaginary event. Use the letter above as a model.
52
Beginning Writing 2

• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com
NAME DATE
 
WRITING FOR DAILY LIFE: A L
ETTER

TO

THE
E
DITOR
Most newspapers encourage readers to write letters to the editor. These letters
express opinions on topics of public interest. A letter to a school newspaper
might present a reader’s opinion of a new policy on tardies. A letter to a city
paper might give an opinion on such topics as a ballot measure before the
voters. Letters to the editor are usually written in business letter form.
A.
To be convincing, an opinion must be supported with reasons, facts,
and/or examples. Read each item below. If it includes a supporting
reason, fact, or example, put a plus (+) mark by the number. If it is
an unsupported opinion, put a minus (–).
1. _____ I think the new Zoomero is an excellent car, and shoppers would be
wise to consider buying one.
2. _____ I believe this year’s Zoomero is a wise buy. The car provides the
latest safety features at a modest price.
3. _____ After giving it some thought, I’ve decided it would be a good idea
for our school to allow students to go off campus for lunch.
4. _____ After an area survey, I’ve found that 8 out of 10 residents are unhappy
with their garbage service. It’s clear to me that a change is needed.
B.

Write a letter to the editor expressing your opinion on a specific topic.
Present a convincing argument by giving good reasons, facts, and examples
that support your opinion. Be sure to qualify your opinions with phrases
such as “in my opinion” or “I believe.”
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
To the editor:
____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,
____________________________________
YOUR

NAME

AND

ADDRESS
➝
DATE
NAME

AND

ADDRESS

OF

NEWSPAPER
➝
➝