8/28/08

Today was a journal day. If you were absent today, you should make up your journal by writing a half page about a topic of your choice.

After journals we talked more about the writing process. So far, we have explored prewriting, drafting, and we just started doing some revising. Today we revised some more. You assignment was to choose a sentence in your paragraph to rework. I asked you to change your verb in your sentence to an active verb. An active verb is a verb that has a built in adverb (a word that modifies a verb). For example, jump is a verb that covers a broad range of activities. We can use a more specific word than jump--hop, leap, pounce, bound, vault, bolt, spring, hurdle . . . Each of these words show us how someone jumped. A hop is a different kind of jump than a hurdle. There is a built-in description of how the jump was performed. So find a great active verb, and replace your boring old verb.

Next, add an adjective. An adjective is a word that describes a noun. So, you should find the main noun in your sentence. Once you've found it, think about words you could use to describe that noun--color, shape, size, mood, state of being . . . Insert that word before your noun.

Next, add an adverb. Now that we have a great verb, we should say how that verb is being performed. Adverbs often end in "ly". Did your horse hop lazily? Or did he madly bound? Add the adverb before or after the verb.

Now we're going to add a prepositional phrase. A preposition is a word that relates another word to a noun or a pronoun in the sentence. A phrase is a group of words in a sentence that adds meaning or clarifies something. Our prepositional phrase is going to tell us either where or when the action happened. In the field, around the corner, after his midnight snack, behind his left ear . . . Choose a great preposition phrase to clarify the action.

After you have reworked your sentence, it is time to proofread your paper. This is the editing step in the writing process. You want to make sure you've spelled all your words correctly, that you have correct punctuation and capitalization, that you have good grammar.

Now we're ready to pull it all together for the final draft. Rewrite your paragraph. It should be 5-7 sentences long. Your sentences should be anywhere from 8-20 words long. I want your very best writing. I want it to be neat. I want an indent on the first line. I want periods at the ends of sentences. I want descriptive language. Give me a good, polished paragraph.

I would like you to staple all your papers in this order, from top to bottom: colored picture, interview notes, 1st draft, final draft. Make sure your name is clearly displayed on your paper.

Congratulations! You've finished your first writing assignment in Mrs. Cheney's language arts class! You're well on your way to learning the writing process. This is a tool that can help you throughout your life. Way to go!