Scholar Skills Class Assignment for January 21, 2011

In December we talked about how to organize what you want to say in a paper by using the "5-paragraph (or part) paper" formula. Your assignment for January 21, 2011 is to write a 5 paragraph/part paper on whatever is interesting to you. I want you to practice using this form as a way to organize your thoughts and to help you know how to get what you want to say down on paper. I recognize that this formula is a jumping off place for writers. It is simple. It can be expanded from a 5-paragraph paper to a 5-page paper to a 5-chapter book and on and on.

As a review, here are the points of a 5-paragraph/part paper:

• 1st paragraph: Introductory Paragraph - [Say what you are going to say. Use key words such as "first, second, third, and finally".

• 2nd paragraph/part: Make your first point
• 1st example, quote, illustration
• 2nd example, quote, illustration
• 3rd example, quote, illustration

• 3rd paragraph/ part: Make your 2nd point
• 1st example, quote, illustration
• 2nd example, quote, illustration
• 3rd example, quote, illustration

• 4th paragraph/part: Make your 3rd point
• 1st example, quote, illustration
• 2nd example, quote, illustration
• 3rd example, quote, illustration

• 5th paragraph: Concluding paragraph - [Say what you've said, using the key words "first, second, third, and finally".

Remember, this is a form to follow. If you have a lot to say, each paragraph/part can be more that one paragraph. Each example, quote, or illustration can be its own paragraph, or page, or chapter depending on what you are writing and how much you have to say.

***I can't wait to read your papers! Have fun with this! Only write about something that you care about!