Grades 5 and 6 Writing Units of Study.pdf

story – telling only the significant parts of the story that pertain to their idea
and gives the reader a general idea of what the story is about. They state the
thesis.
Writers think about the order of their supporting paragraphs. They consider
ordering their paragraphs from the least powerful to the most powerful.
Writers use a similar structure for writing each of their support paragraphs.
Each paragraph includes a topic sentence. It also states the example(s) for
support. Writers include thought prompts to help them say more (elaborate)
about an idea. They explain how their example(s) prove the text part of the
thesis.
Writers draft a conclusion for their essay. They restate the thesis statement.
They quickly remind the reader of the examples they gave to prove the thesis.
They write a final wrap-up thought that touches on the whole essay and leaves
the reader thinking. Writers can make a connection to their own life, to the
world, or to another text.
Writers consider how they want to end their essays. They think about how a text
has impacted their thinking about their own lives, the world, or another text.
Revising
Writers revise their literary essay. They look at their ideas/supporting evidence
and decide what goes together. They may rearrange sentences, paragraphs, or
remove/add information to strengthen their argument. They may look to see that
their evidence follows the sequence of the text – their first example from the
beginning of the text and the last from the end.
Writers think about transition words to connect each part of their essay. They
use transitional words/phrases like: for example, another example, furthermore,
In one of the first scenes, we see this.., On the other hand…, however, In
addition, And yet, One reason/another reason, also, next, and although.
Writers often refer to the text for support. They quote the text and explain
how it relates to their idea. After they quote the text, they may comment on it
by saying, ―This scene particularly shows us… or This part is significant because…‖
Writers make our essays engage. They vary the way they begin their supporting
paragraphs.
Writers show how a text has moved them. They reread their writing and
comment on their thoughts or feelings about the idea of their essay. They can
make statements like, ―After reading this book, I now think/feel…‖
Writers analyze their writing. They ask themselves questions like: Does my
writing make sense? Have I used strong examples? Does my evidence refer back
to my thesis? Then they read their essay with their partner, asking the same
questions and revising as needed.
Editing