Espthematicsyllabus - Final Draft Double

Running head: BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING
A Thematic Syllabus: Basic Academic Process Writing for Adult English Language Learners
Krista Boddy, Sufang Hou and Adele Lonas
Colorado State University
BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING
Thematic Syllabus: Basic Academic Process Writing

Course Description
Course title: Basic Academic Process Writing
Length: 16 weeks, 2 hr. 30 minute classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30AM - 12PM
Organization: The organization is a non-profit adult education program which supports
immigrants in the community wanting to learn English or earn a GED. The program is connected
to a local community college and workforce agencies in order to further support students in their
transition into academic programs or employment opportunities.
Student population: The class comprises of ten to twelve immigrants from various countries,
language backgrounds and ages. The students are intermediate level (Level 3-4 on TABE
Reading Test) Adult English Language Learners (AELLs) who have some communicative ability
in English, but have differing levels of L1 literacy. While some are familiar with academic
writing in their native language, none have experience in academic writing in English. Many of
the learners wish to earn their GED or be admitted to community college for further education.
Other learners wish to improve their English skills for better employment. The target population
predominantly consists of women between the ages of 25 to 50 years of age and of mothers, all
of whom have immigrated to the U.S. as adults or young adults. Spanish is the primary L1, with
Portuguese and Cantonese as other L1s.
Course goals:
Students will learn, practice and apply concepts relevant to basic academic writing (e.g.:
focus, purpose and audience, organization, development, supporting evidence, mechanics
and conventions).
Students will learn the stages of academic process writing, including brainstorming and
organizing, drafting, revising and editing.
Students will be able to interpret instructions and features of the rhetorical hierarchy (e.g.
focus, purpose and audience, and organization) and prompts given on the essay section of
community college placement exams Accuplacer WritePlacer, Community College
Placement Exam (CCPT)) and the new GED.
Students will be able to identify and apply the main and sub-rhetorical-moves relevant to
the essay genres (position statements and argument analyses) practiced on the Accuplacer
WritePlacer, CCPT and the new GED.
Students will develop successful strategies used for the distinct stages of basic academic
process writing and be able to apply them in response to timed and untimed essay
prompts.
Students will be able to complete timed and untimed prompted essays on the computer.
Focus: This course provides specific scaffolded preparation for AELLs to successfully pass the
essay portion of the Accuplacer WritePlacer, CCPT and the new GED. The full course will be
divided into eight thematic units:
Unit 1: Understanding Essay Instructions
Unit 2: Identifying and Applying the Main and Sub-Moves of Position Statements and
Argument Analyses
Unit 3: Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing, Drafting, Revising

and Editing
Unit 4: Expanding on and Applying Brainstorming and Drafting
Unit 5: Expanding on and Applying Revisions
Unit 6: Editing, Syntax and Word Choice for Academic Essays
Unit 7: Understanding Beginning Computer and Keyboarding
Unit 8: Practicing Placement Exams: Computer based, timed and un-timed Basic
Academic Essays.
Theoretical foundations: This program primarily employs Task-Based Language Instruction:
the tasks are specific to basic academic process writing. Using an analytic syllabus, the course is
organized around the concept of basic academic writing and academic process writing, and will
engage students in both learning and performing the relevant concepts, inclusive of focus,
purpose and audience, organization, development, supporting evidence and mechanics and
conventions (Larsen-Freeman & Anderson, 2011). The intended outcome is that students will be
able to successfully perform in the target language use domain (Accuplacer WritePlacer, CCPT,
and the new GED). The course will incorporate essay instructions, prompts and student samples
authentic to the TLU domain, and engage learners in scaffolded and collaborative application of
the concepts, strategies and language functions. The goal in scaffolding the tasks is to support
students in transitioning and applying previously learned understandings and skills to new tasks
in new learning contexts (Hammond & Gibbons, 2005). The instructors role will be to
construct activities that overlap previous concepts with new concepts; and to engage learners
collaboratively in negotiating the meaning of and applying the concepts presented. Additionally,
the instructors role will be to engage learners in task-based learning relevant to the TLU domain
that allows them to practice and integrate the concepts presented. Learners will engage with the
material individually, in pairs and groups, and as a class, in order to scaffold the presentation of
and interaction with the material.
Description of Thematic Units
Thematic Unit 1: Understanding Essay Instructions and Prompts
Description: This unit, based on the results of a corpus analysis, will help students understand
the expectations in relation to basic academic writing that are communicated in essay
instructions and prompts on community college placement tests and on the GED. The unit is
based on the results from a corpus analysis highlighting keywords and relevant collocations in
essay instructions and prompts; verbs and verb collocations were identified using computerbased tools: Compleat Lexical Tutor V.8 and Antconc version 3.4 (Anthony, 2016). The unit will
support students in being able to recognize key words and relevant collocations/chunks; verbs
and verb collocations; the rhetorical features included in the rhetorical hierarchies; and word
requirements as they appear in essay instructions.
Unit objectives: Students will be able to
Identify and define the keywords in essay instructions, prompts and scoring criteria
provided to students on the Accuplacer WritePlacer, CCPT and the New GED.
Recognize the meaning of verbs and verb collocations in essay instructions, prompts and
scoring criteria provided to students on placement tests.
Identify the meaning and basic function of key transitional words and phrases used in
sample placement essays and distinguish between effective and ineffective use of them.
Thematic Unit 2: Identifying and Applying the Main and Sub-Moves of Position
Statements and Argument Analyses
Description: This unit, based on the results of a genre analysis of the essay portion of the
Accuplacer WritePlacer, CCPT and GED, will help students understand the rhetorical concepts
(focus, organization, use of supporting evidence, purpose and awareness of audience) relevant to
basic academic writing as they are applicable to the placement exams. For students to perform
successfully on the essay portion of the placement exams, they need to be able to both recognize
the rhetorical concepts communicated in the essay instructions and prompts, and realize the
concepts in writing. Likewise, they also need to know the function of the main moves and the
supporting sub-moves of position statements and argument analyses. For the same reason,
students will practice identifying both the concepts, and the main and sub moves, in sample
position statements and argument analyses. Through analyses of sample passages, prompts and
essays, students will match essay genres to instruction prompts, sequence both the main and submoves according to the specified genre, and identify the rhetorical features as they are developed
in sample essays. Students will engage in frequent task-based exercises that build on Unit 1 and
while learning and practicing the concepts of the present Unit.
Unit Objectives: Students will be able to
Recognize in sample essays the rhetorical features of focus, organization, use of

supporting evidence, and purpose and audience as they are employed on the essay portion
of the Accuplacer WritePlacer, the CCPT and the new GED.
Distinguish between position statements and argument analyses by the sequence of their
corresponding components (the main rhetorical moves) and to identify the common
transitional phrases used to communicate the sequence of the main moves.
Identify the sequence of sub-moves for both position statements and argument analyses.
Apply their knowledge of the main moves and sub-moves of position statements and
argument analyses by differentiating among and ordering essay components in a logical
sequence both in pairs and independently.
Thematic Unit 3: Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing, Drafting,

Revising and Editing
Description: This unit is based on the concept of academic process writing as it is presented in
The CAELA Guide for Adult ESL Trainers, III-E-1, Teaching Writing to Adult English
Language Learners (2007). The concept functions both as an integral process, and as a series of
strategies that allow writers to perform academic genres successfully. This unit scaffolds the
overall process based on the steps set out in the CAELA Guide (2007) (brainstorming and
organizing, drafting, revising and editing) in order to mirror the recommendations made to
students in some prompts to plan, draft, revise and proofread their essays. This unit will help
students develop an overall understanding of the stages of basic academic process writing as
foundational for developing focus, organization, effective use of supporting details, purpose and
awareness of audience, as they are relevant to basic academic writing.
Apply strategies for the brainstorming stage of basic academic process writing.
Brainstorm ideas in response to prompts for position statements and argument analyses.
Brainstorm and organize ideas for position statements.
Sequence their ideas by locating them within the main and sub-moves of a position
statement.
Write a main claim, and identify three supporting reasons to support their main claim.
Draft basic introductions, develop topic sentences, and identify and sequence the
supporting details for each topic sentence.
Learn the uses of the revising stage of process writing in developing focus, organization,
purpose and awareness of audience.
Learn the use of the editing stage in noticing grammatical, lexical and mechanical errors.
Thematic Unit 4: Expanding on and Applying Brainstorming and Drafting

Description: This unit is designed to scaffold the specific components of brainstorming and
drafting by providing practice exercises and templates relevant to position statements and
argument analyses for the learners to begin the essay writing process. Additionally, because the
argument analysis prompts on the new GED require reading a longer passage and developing the
argument in response to that passage, the unit also aims to transition students from responding to
shorter prompts to prompts with longer reading passages. The activities in this unit incorporate
methods for brainstorming and organizing, such as the Wh-question method and Cluster and
Venn- diagramming, outlines and flowcharts; and for developing main effective main claims for
both positions statements and argument analyses. The activities also include discussion, evidence
and interpretation adapted to the main and sub-moves of position statements and argument
analyses, for drafting. Additionally, students will be able to adopt the methods employed in the
brainstorming and organizing, and drafting stages as strategies to employ in the TLU domain.
The tasks will be practiced under both un-timed and timed conditions.
Identify and apply appropriate brainstorming techniques (using Wh-questions, Cluster
and Venn-diagrams) in response to both position statement and argument analysis
prompts, in order to develop a point of view (Accuplacer WritePlacer, 2008) in untimed and timed tasks.
Organize their ideas using a graphic organizer, choose a point of view, and select
supporting reasons.
Outlines and flowcharts specific to the main and sub-moves of both position statements
and argument analyses, in order to sequence their point of view and supporting reasons,
in un-timed and timed tasks.
Develop a cohesive main claim and topic sentences for both position statements and
argument analyses, will be able to select supporting details for position statements and
supporting details and evidence from a reading for argument analyses.
Draft introductions, body paragraphs and conclusions.
Thematic Unit 5: Expanding on and Applying Revisions
Description: This unit aims to build on students experience of revising a sample position
statement to develop greater focus, organization, purpose and awareness of audience, specific to
both position statements and argument analyses. It also aims to develop students ability to use
the revising stage to ensure the cohesion and coherence of supporting reasons and evidence used
to defend their claim for both genres. For the same reason, students will also be guided in
identifying missing or inappropriate transitional phrases and words. This unit also aims to further
support students in developing personalized strategies for noticing and revising problems in
focus, development and transitions in their own drafts. Students will workshop with authentic
sample position statements and argument analyses, peer drafts and their own drafts.
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Further develop their knowledge of the revision process in revising both sample position
statements and argument analyses.
Further develop their ability to notice and provide feedback during the revision stage
through peer workshop.
Develop a checklist using the instructions and prompt, and their knowledge of the moves
of position statements and argument analyses, as a strategy for identifying problems in
their own writing.
Use their checklist to identify problems specific to focus, development and transitions in
their own writing.
Successfully correct the gaps identified in focus, development and transitions in their
own writing.
Thematic Unit 6: Editing, Syntax and Word Choice for Basic Academic Essays
Description: This unit aims to teach students to edit their drafts for grammatical, lexical and
mechanical errors. The focus of this unit includes editing complex sentence structures, word
choice, and mechanical errors such as spelling and punctuation. Instructors will provide students
with sample position statements and argument analyses and guide students in noticing errors.
The practice in noticing errors will be scaffolded by first focusing on noticing grammatical
errors, and then on lexical and mechanical errors. It will also be scaffolded by engaging them in
noticing errors first in sample essays, next in peer writing, and then in their own writing. The
practice will aim at providing students with noticing strategies that they can apply in the TLU
domain.
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Notice grammatical, lexical and mechanical errors on sample position statements and
argument analyses, and in peer drafts and on their own drafts.
Correct the grammatical, lexical and mechanical errors they identify in the sample essays,
and in their own drafts.
Thematic Unit 7: Beginning Computer and Keyboarding Skills: Basic Keyboarding
Instruction and Process Writing on the Computer
Description: This unit is designed to bridge the gap between students ability to produce
handwritten essays and typed essays in English. Because the new GED test, and the college
placement exams relevant to the target population, are all computerized, it is imperative the
target population is comfortable using a computer to type an essay. Since there is a wide
spectrum of computer literacy and keyboarding experience among AELLs, this unit begins with
instruction on simple computer functions and keyboarding practice using Mavis Beacon Teaches
Typing Version 15. Following, learners will transition to using word processing tools, such as
Microsoft Word, and will engage them in practice exercises that allow learners to navigate the
word processing tool while integrating the stages of basic academic process writing from the
prior Unit. Finally, students will be able to respond to an untimed essay prompt relevant to the
TLU domain of the GED and college placement essay exams.
Demonstrate basic computer literacy and keyboarding skills needed to type efficiently.
Navigate word processing tools (i.e., Microsoft Word); use the home hand position; the
shift key to capitalize letters; the tab key to indent; and spell check.
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Demonstrate confidence and efficiency in using a computer to complete writing exercises

that integrate the stages of academic process writing.
Free-write on the computer prompted responses that meet the minimum word
requirements of placement exam essays.
Thematic Unit 8: Practice Exams: Computer-based, Timed and Un-timed

Description: This unit is designed to incorporate all previous units of instruction. It aims to
provide practice in developing position statements and argument analyses in response to prompts
and using reading passages authentic to the TLU domain (on the computer), under un-timed and
timed conditions, and meeting word count minimums. In the first practice exercises, the learners
will be guided through the steps explicitly and provided with graphic organizers and checklists
they developed during the revising and editing stages. Following, students will transition to
practicing responding to the essay prompts without support, under un-timed and timed
conditions. This unit scaffolds students practice until it meets the parameters of the TLU domain
of the Accuplacer WritePlacer, CCPT and the new GED.
Overall Unit Objective: Students will be able to
Respond to position statement and argument analysis prompts on a computer and

independently under un-timed and timed conditions, meeting the parameters set (300
word minimum) in the TLU domain.
Syllabus Scope and Sequence
The following table presents the Scope and Sequence of the Basic Academic Process
Writing Syllabus. The table is organized by units, and includes eight units of the Syllabus. The
Scope and Sequence table includes specific concepts and linguistic features, as well as the
strategies that are covered in each unit. Additionally, it highlights the main activities of each unit.
Unit
1
Unit
2
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Concepts
Understanding Essay Instructions and Prompts

1. Rhetorical concepts in essay instructions and prompts
2. Cohesion and coherence
3. Developing a perspective
Main
Activities
1. Understanding unfamiliar vocabulary in daily contexts

2. Matching keywords and collocations to their meanings
3. Matching verbs in essay instructions to written responses
Strategies
1. Using daily contexts to infer the meaning of words in essay

instructions
2. Using textual clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words in
essay instructions
Linguistic
Features
1. Key words and collocations (your essay, your ideas, your writing,
your assigned topic, your personal observations, experience and
knowledge, passage)
2. Verbs and verb collocations: (Develop, infer, support, extend,
position, evaluate, argue a position, incorporate relevant and specific
evidence)
3. Transitions (of contrast, addition, conclusion, cause, examples,
and opinions)
4. Point of view
Concepts
Identifying and Applying the Main and Sub-Moves of Position

Statements and Argument Analyses
1. Rhetorical features and main and sub-moves of position
statements and argument analyses
2. The development of rhetorical features.
3. Rhetorical main and sub-moves; sequencing ideas; genre
Main
Activities
1. Comparing and contrasting two texts in order to notice differences

in focus, organization and use of details
2. Matching main moves to the parts of position statements and
argument analyses
3. Unscrambling and sequencing the main moves of position
statements and argument analyses
Strategies
1. Using a graphic organizer (outlines and/or flowcharts) to

sequence the main and sub-moves of position statements and
argument analyses
2. Developing a flowchart or outline of possible main and submoves using instructions and prompts for position statements and
argument analyses
Unit
3
Unit
4
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Linguistic
Features
1. Rhetorical features (focus, organization, details and evidence,

purpose, audience, development)
2. Transitional phrases and verbs (of contrast, addition, conclusion,
cause, examples, and opinions)
3. Type of text; flowchart; outlines
4. Position statement and argument analysis
Concepts
Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing,

Drafting, Revising and Editing
1. Academic writing
2. Process writing
3. Thesis; main claim; awareness of audience
5. Units of thought (paragraphs)
Main
Activities
1. Using Wh-questions, Cluster and Venn-diagrams to brainstorm in

response to position statement prompts
2. Sequencing claims, reasons and evidence following the main and
sub-moves of position statements
3. Drafting introductions, body paragraphs and conclusions
4. Revising sample essays
5. Peer-revision workshop
6. Editing sample essays
7. Peer-editing (noticing patterns of grammatical, lexical and
mechanical errors in peer drafts)
Strategies
1. Using diagrams and templates to brainstorm ideas

2. Using outlines and flowcharts as organizational strategies
3. Identifying and sequencing supporting details
4. Using checklists to correct problems in text focus, organization
and development
5. Using checklists to notice grammatical, lexical and mechanical
errors
Linguistic
Features
1. Brainstorming and organizing, drafting, revising and editing.

2. Topic and central opinion; main claim, hook, audience,
introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion
3. Focus; organization; supporting details; purpose and audience
4. Transition words and phrases (of contrast, addition, conclusion,
Concepts
Expanding on and Applying Brainstorming and Drafting

1. Planning and drafting strategies
2. Thesis, main claim, details, evidence, conclusion, rhetorical
hierarchy
3. Awareness of audience and development
4. Process writing
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5. Cohesion and coherence.
Unit
5
Main
Activities
1. Cluster diagrams versus Venn-diagrams and position statements

versus argument analyses (Using genre purpose to identify
appropriate brainstorming techniques)
2. Using text purpose to develop outlines and/or flowcharts specific
to the genre
3. Comparing and contrasting the main claims, reasons and
evidence/details in position statements and argument analyses
4. Drafting position statements and argument analyses: comparing
and contrasting the development
Strategies
1. Matching brainstorming strategies to the text genre

2. Matching organizational tactics to purpose and genre
3. Techniques for developing position statements and argument
analysis drafts from outlines and/or flowcharts
Linguistic
Features
1. Common collocations (as used in sample position statements and

argument analyses)
2. Transitional phrases and verbs (of contrast, addition, conclusion,
3. Main claim, topic, central opinion, conclusion
4. Focus, organization, supporting details and evidence, purpose and
audience
5. Brainstorming, organizing ideas, drafting
Concepts
Expanding on and Applying Revisions

1. Revising strategies
2. Peer- and self-revision
3. Rhetorical hierarchy and features (focus and development
features)
4. Awareness of audience.
Main
Activities
1. Developing a checklist for revision of own writing using essay

instructions and prompts
2. Using checklists to identify problems in focus and developments
in personal drafts
3. Applying revisions
Strategies
1. Using essay instructions and prompts to support the revision

process
2. How to detect problems in focus and development in drafts
3. Tactics for attending to problems in focus and development
Linguistic
Features
1. Transition phrases and verbs (of contrast, addition, conclusion,

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2. Focus, organization, supporting details and evidence, purpose and

audience
3. Revising; peer-review; self-revision
4. Checklist
Unit
6
Unit
7
Concepts
Editing, Syntax and Word Choice for Basic Academic Essays

1. Editing strategies
2. Patterns of error; precise word choice
Main
Activities
1. Noticing patterns of error in personal drafts

2. Developing a checklist for editing personal drafts using patterns
of error in students own writing
3. Using a checklist to identify grammatical, lexical and mechanical
problems in personal drafts
4. Editing and correcting errors
Strategies
1. How to detect patterns of grammatical, lexical and mechanical

errors in personal drafts
2. How to use patterns of error to develop a personal checklist for
editing personal drafts
Linguistic
Features
1. Syntactical constructions: complex and compound sentences;

subject-verb agreement; verb tense; pronoun agreement
2. Spelling
3. Errors and mistakes
4. Grammar, word choice and punctuation
Concepts
Beginning Computer and Keyboarding Skills: Basic

Keyboarding Instruction and Process Writing on the Computer
1. Computer and keyboarding skills
2. Computer literacy: using passwords to log in to software; using
home position on keyboard; knowing basic functions of word
processing tools (saving, fonts, tab and shift keys)
Main
Activities
1. Using basic computer functions (logging on/off computers,

recognizing parts of computers, navigating to and within software
programs (Microsoft Word, Keyboarding Program), using a search
engine
2. Practice basic keyboarding skills using software program (Mavis
Bacon Teaches Typing)
3. Create a Microsoft Word document and know how to use some
basic tools in MS Word (Spell check, grammar check, thesaurus)
Strategies
1. Using home position on a keyboard to improve typing speed and

accuracy
2. Accessing online tutorials for using Microsoft Word
Unit
8
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Linguistic
Features
1.Specialized vocabulary: mouse, monitor, keyboard, screen, icon,

word processing, internet, search engine, website, click, log on/off,
taskbar, username, password, shift, font, tab, spell check, thesaurus,
etc.
Concepts
Practice Exams: Computer-based, Timed and Un-timed

1. Scaffolding the target language use domain/ test conditions
2. Minimum word count
3. Timed/untimed exams
5. Planning and drafting; revising, editing
Main
Activities
1. Guided replication of untimed placement test situations

2. Guided replication of timed placement test situations
3. Independent replication of timed placement test situations
Strategies
1. Strategies for planning, outlining, drafting, revising and editing

during test
2. Strategies for managing time
3..Strategies for transitioning from practice contexts to authentic
conditions
Linguistic
Features
1. Transition phrases and verbs (of contrast, addition, conclusion,

2. Brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising and editing on
computerized tests
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Authors note: Due to the nature and time commitment of developing an entire writing
curriculum, we have only included one complete unit (Unit 3: Academic Process Writing:
Brainstorming and Organizing, Drafting, Revising and Editing). Below, we provide six sample
lessons. We will continue to develop further units after the end of the semester and hope to
complete the entire course by the end of the summer.
Thematic Unit 3: Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing, Drafting,
Revising and Editing.
Unit 3 includes the following six lessons, which introduce the stages of Process Writing:
Lesson 1: Brainstorming strategies
Lesson 2: Outlining, Establishing Main Claims and Reasons, and Sequencing Strategies
Lesson 3: Drafting Introductions, Topic Sentences and Identifying Evidence
Lesson 4: Writing a First Draft
Lesson 5: Revising
Lesson 6: Editing
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LESSON 1: Brainstorming Strategies

Pre-lesson inventory
Overview of lesson objectives:
Students will learn brainstorming strategies by using templates for organizing ideas
Students will use brainstorming techniques to respond to prompts for position statements
and/or argument analyses
Students will be able to identify the most appropriate brainstorming strategy to respond to
prompts for positions statements and argument analyses
Materials to take to class: dry-erase markers, Wh-Question brainstorm samples, 12 brainstorm
templates for each method (Wh-Questions, Cluster-Diagram, Venn-Diagram)
Equipment needed for class: None
Assignments to collect: None
Special room arrangements: None
Warm-up: Relating brainstorming to real life contexts (15 min.)
Purpose: Students will be able to bridge the gap of brainstorming in real-life to brainstorming
for writing.
Procedures:
1. Ask the class to think of a situation in real-life in which they need to brainstorm. Provide
an example (e.g., planning what you intend to make for dinner, when you havent been
grocery shopping and you must work with what you already have in the pantry and
refrigerator). What do I have? How do I make it? What goes well together? How long
will it take?
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2. Ask students to talk with a partner about other times they have to brainstorm in everyday
situations. Other examples: brainstorming about a bully at your childs school or dealing
with a difficult situation at work.
3. Ask partners to share with the class what they came up with.
4. Now, discuss as a whole class about how to organize your thoughts about a topic you
want to write about.
5. Ask the class, What are some questions you can ask yourself or a partner to plan your
ideas? Think about what you discussed with a partner about brainstorming earlier. What
kinds of questions did you ask?
6. As students provide sample questions (who do you think..., what is your opinion..., why
do you believe..., where do you get your information...), write them down on the
whiteboard.
7. Once you have a list of 4-5 questions, place students in pairs and tell them to ask each
other the questions on the board about their opinion about the impacts of watching TV.
8. After 5 min., have the pairs report to the class the ideas they came up with using the whquestions.
Transition: Now that we have practiced using Wh-Questions in discussion, we will try using
them in our writing. Here is a template to get you started on your writing (pass out WhQuestion template, Appendix A.1).
Activity 1: Brainstorming about a topic using the Wh-Question template (Appendix A.1) (30
min.)
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Purpose: For students to apply what they learned in the warm-up regarding the brainstorm
strategy of using Wh-Questions to organize ideas about a topic. They will also begin learning
how to synthesize their ideas into a topic.
Procedures:
1. Using the Wh-Question template, brainstorm about the person you admire the most.
You have been chosen to introduce this person to an audience. Who will that person be,
and what will you say about that person? (This is a practice essay prompt from the CCPT
Study Workbook, n. d., p. 33).
2. Answer as many questions as you can from the template, but if one doesnt apply (e.g.,
Where does the topic take place?), dont answer it.
3. Once you have answered the Wh-Questions, chat with a neighbor about your answers (5
min). Talking about your topic also helps you plan ideas about what you want to write
about.
Transition: Here is another way to organize and plan your topic. This technique is called a
Cluster Diagram (Pass out template of Cluster Diagram, Appendix A.2).
Activity 2: Using a Cluster diagram (Appendix A.2) (30 min.)
Purpose: To provide students with an additional organizing technique for brainstorming and
planning to write a position statement.
Procedures:
1. Modeling: On the whiteboard, draw a cluster diagram and write your topic in the large
middle circle (New topic: Reasons to improve the environment)
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2. Elicit ideas from the class about some reasons for improving the environment. Write each
idea in a smaller circle. Explain that this is a visual way to see details about a topic. You
may add other circles for each main detail to provide further examples for each.
3. Pass out the Cluster Diagram template (Appendix A.2), for students to now try writing
three ways they can improve the environment. Make sure to explain that you are asking
them to come up with specific examples of ways they can improve the environment (not
reasons, like in the example). Let them talk to a partner for ideas as they complete their
diagrams.
4. Once every student has at least three detail circles filled, ask the class to share their ideas.
Transition: A third method to organize and plan your writing, especially when comparing two
ideas with each other is using a Venn-Diagram (Pass out template of Venn-Diagram, Appendix
A.3).
Activity 3: Using a Venn-diagram to compare two topics (30 min.)
Purpose: To prepare learners to brainstorm about two opposing positions, which will support
developing an argument analysis essay in Unit 4.
Procedures:
1. First discuss as a class about Daylight Savings Time (this is a prompt on the new GED
Practice test for Reasoning through Language Arts, 2014). Ask the class, Do you like
having to change the time back and forth twice per year? Ask, Does anyone know why
we started changing the time in the U.S.? If no one knows explain that it was to
conserve electricity during World War I for war production.
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2. Explain to the class that a great way to organize opposing views is by using a VennDiagram. Draw the graphic on the whiteboard. On one side, write Reasons For and on
the other write Reasons Against. The middle section shows where the topics overlap.
3. Ask the class for some other possible reasons for moving the time in the Fall backward
and Spring forward, and write the answers on the board in a Venn-Diagram. Next, ask
them for reasons against Daylight Savings Time. Only write one or two examples for
each side.
4. Pass out the Venn-Diagram template and ask students to work with a partner to come up
with three reasons for each side of the diagram. Under Reasons For, they should list
reasons for continuing Daylight Savings Time, and under Reasons Against they should
list reasons against Daylight Savings Time.
5. Check with each pair to see if they need ideas or help in completing the diagram. Once all
students have three reasons for each, ask the class to share their answers with the class.
Write their answers on the board Venn-Diagram.
Transition: Now that we have learned about three new techniques to plan and brainstorm a
topic to write about, we will practice one of them for homework.
Closing: Reflection and Discussion in pairs (5 min). Ask students to think about the three
strategies they used to brainstorm about a topic and identify which one they think would be best
to use if theyre writing a position statement, where they will explain their point of view. Next,
ask them to select one of the topics to practice on their own for homework, and to bring their
ideas that they brainstormed to the next class. The students can choose from among the following
topics to brainstorm about using a Cluster Diagram: their opinion on why education is important;
the importance of public libraries; or the positive or negative effects of watching television. Once
24
they have selected a topic, ask them to share with a classmate what they are going to brainstorm
about.
Homework: Brainstorm about one of the topics listed in the closing. Bring the template you
complete to the next class.
25
LESSON 2: Organizing Ideas and Establishing Claims and Reasons

Students will learn how to use outlines and flowcharts relevant to the main moves of
position statements
Students will learn to make a claim and identify effective supporting reasons
Students will demonstrate how to sequence their main claim and supporting reasons
Materials to take to class: dry-erase markers; templates for making a claim (12 copies); graphic
organizers to identify supporting reasons (12 copies); outlines and flowcharts (12 copies)
Equipment needed for class: a computer to show PowerPoint slides of class material
Assignments to collect: Position statement brainstorming ideas from last class
Special room arrangements: none
Warm-up: How busy is your day? (15 min.)
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to illustrate for students that they already engage in
establishing claims and reasons in their daily lives.
Procedures:
1. Students engage in a conversation with their peer responding to three questions: How
busy is your day? Why are you busy or not busy? List what you have to do.
2. Next, ask volunteers to share with the class, in that order, their responses.
3. The instructor will then model on the board writing an opinion statement out, and listing
the reasons below the opinion: My day is really busy because I have something to do
every hour of the day. I have to go to school, help my kids with their homework, do my
26
homework, take the car to the auto-shop, take the kids to school, go to the grocery store,
pay the bills, pick the kids up from school and go to work.
4. Ask students what problems they see with the order of the things to do. If I wanted to
tell someone about everything I have to do, and listed everything in this order, what
might cause some problems with what they understand about my day?
5. If students are unsure of the expected response, guide students in identifying the order of
the things to do as problematic, and why.
6. Ask students to then list their own things to do in chronological order. And then share
with their peer their opinion statement of whether they are busy or not and the reasons
explaining why.
Transition: Now that weve created an opinion statement about our day and given reasons to
support it, were going to practice doing the same with the topic you chose and brainstormed for
homework.
Activity 1: Establishing a claim (30 min.)
Purpose: To transition students from expressing an opinion to making claim (a central opinion
statement) in response to their chosen prompt. Students will develop their claim using the
template topic + why (see Appendix B.1)
Procedures:
1. Ask students to take out their homework from the previous lesson and their ideas from
brainstorming, to share with a classmate. Ask student to tell their classmate why they
chose their topic.
27
2. Provide the students with a template to guide them in changing the topic question into a
statement, which will then be the topic of their opinion statement (claim) (see Appendix
B.1). Model the example that is provided on the handout for the students.
3. Explain to students that by joining their topic with their main opinion about it is a
claim. Explain that when you refer to their claim you are talking about their opinion
statement.
4. Ask students to write down the topic of their claim in a complete sentence using the
model provided.
5. Refer back to the warm-up exercise, and the brief explanation of why my day was busy
that students provided. Then refer them to the example on the template. Highlight how it
is joined to the subject of the claim using the word because.
6. Ask students to write down their because statement that explains their topic sentence,
and then share it with a classmate for feedback, and to then make any adjustments.
7. Ask students to write their claim on the whiteboard to receive feedback from the class in
response to the questions: Does your claim explain your topic?; Will you be able to
support or defend your claim with reasons?
8. Allow students time to make any adjustments to their claim.
Transition: How do you decide which reasons to use to support your claim when you are
having a discussion or an argument? Who or what do you think about in deciding which reasons
will be the most important ones to say?
Activity 2: Identifying effective reasons (paired practice) (20 min.)
Purpose: To engage the students interactively in selecting effective reasons to support a claim
using a given topic.
28
Procedures:
1. Working in pairs, each pair receives a claim, and slips of paper with multiple reasons
provided to support it. They are also given an audience to whom they will make their
claim and defend it (see Appendix B.2).
2. Ask students to discuss who their audience is, and what might be important to that
audience.
3. Ask students to choose three reasons from the list of reasons that they think would be best
to use if they are supporting their claim to the given audience.
4. Students will then share their claim and the reasons they chose with a second pair, and
give each other feedback on if the reasons they chose are the best ones for their audience.
5. Each pair will then share their claim and the reasons they chose with the class.
Transition: Now that youve practiced identifying the best reasons to support a claim, and what
or who to consider when you choose them, youll practice choosing the best reasons from your
brainstorming to support the claim you wrote in class today.
Activity 3: Developing effective reasons (independent and paired work) (20 min.)
Purpose: To practice selecting the most effective reasons to support their own claim.
Procedures:
1. Working individually, each student uses their list from brainstorming to identify possible
reasons to support their claim, and discusses the possible reasons with their classmate.
Using the question: What are the strongest, most believable reasons to support my
claim?
2. Students then choose three reasons to support their claim, and find a new classmate with
whom to share their claim and supporting reasons. Students will provide feedback to each
29
other using the question: Are these the strongest reasons? Are there any reasons that
might be better?
3. Students then decide which final three reasons are the strongest reasons to support their
claim to share with the class.
4. Each student will then share their claim and their reasons with the class to receive
feedback.
Transition: Now that youve decided which reasons are the strongest reasons to support your
claim, it will be important to decide how to sequence (or order) the claim and reasons. What
should we think about when we decide what order to give our reasons? (5 min.)
Activity 4: Ordering a claim and reasons (30 min.)
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to engage students in thinking about the importance of
the order in which the reasons are presented, and then engage them in deciding the best sequence
for their own reasons.
Procedures:
1. Refer students to the warm-up exercise, and the order in which the reasons were
presented. Ask students what problems they might encounter trying to proceed with their
day in that order.
2. Provide students (in pairs) with a process to follow in the classroom, and ask them to
follow the steps provided in the given instructions. (Tying your shoe; sharpening a pencil;
sending a classmate a text message; making a peanut butter sandwich; washing their
hands) (see Appendix B.3).
3. Ask students to identify what was wrong with the instructions, and what changes would
need to be made.
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4. Next, provide students (in pairs) with a claim and a list of three sequenced reasons not in
any logical order (see Appendix B.4). Ask students to decide what problems they might
have if they defend their claim with the reasons in that order.
5. Provide students with two possible templates (a graphic organizer and flow-chart) that
they can use to sequence their reasons (see Appendix B.5). Using the claim from before,
write on the board most important to less important/less important to most important,
and model listing the reasons in order of importance (from most to less then from less
to most).
6. Ask students to write their claim in the space provided, and then decide which order is
best for their reasons and claim. Ask them to write their reasons on the template in the
order of importance.
7. Students will then share their outline with a classmate.
Closing: Today, we practiced making a claim about a topic, and you made a claim on your own
for your essay prompt. Then, we looked at all the ideas from our brainstorming homework to list
three main reasons, and made sure they are the strongest reasons to support our claim. Finally,
we ordered the main reasons based on importance. Next time, well brainstorm what kinds of
details you can include for each reason. (5 min.)
Homework: none
31
LESSON 3: Drafting Introductions, Topic Sentences and Identifying Evidence

Students will know how to develop introductions (hook, background information and
main claim)
Students will be able to develop a topic sentence for each of the reasons they chose for
their prompt in the prior class
Students will recognize and sequence effective details to support their reasons
Materials to take to class: dry-erase markers; Suggestion Starters handout (Appendix C.1)
(12 copies); Topic Sentences handout (see Appendix C.2) (12 copies); graphic organizer from
prior class (Appendix B.5); graphic organizer (Appendix C.3) (12 copies); Story Starters
handout (Appendix C.4) (12 copies); videos downloaded; internet connection.
Equipment needed for class: a computer to show PowerPoint slides of class material and
videos
Assignments to collect: none
Warm-up: Debate: Using reasons to make your claim (15 min.)
Purpose: To recap the lesson from the last class on identifying stance on a topic to make a claim
and providing strong reasons to support the claim, in preparation for developing a position
statement.
Procedures:
1. Tell students that we all have strong opinions on certain subjects. Usually we use logic to
defend our opinions. Say, Think about the last time you argued about a topic you felt
32
strongly for or against? What was it? Today, we are going to play a game in which I will
provide a topic, and you have to go to the side of the room (Agree/Disagree labeled on a
paper on each side of the front of the room) to show your opinion on the issue.
2. Once students have moved to the side of the room of their choice, ask one representative
from each side to provide an argument to support their opinion.
3. Debate topics: Agree/Disagree
a. People spend too much money on their pets.
b. TV is good for children.
c. Playing video games causes more violent behavior in young people.
Transition: Now that you have experienced making a claim about a topic, we are going to learn
how to introduce the claim in your writing.
Activity 1: Developing introductions (30 min.)
Purpose: To support students in developing and drafting an introduction that includes a hook,
background information, and the claim.
Procedures:
1. Ask students what usually makes them decide what posts to read or open that their
friends might share on social media.
2. Highlight how often times its the initial first impression that catches our attention and
leads us to continue reading, or to move on to another post. Share with students the
Facebook page from Upworthy (2012) found at: https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy,
and skim through multiple video subtitles, asking students to say stop! when they see
one that catches their attention, and to then explain why it caught their attention.
33
3. Relate this to fishing. The hook on the fishing pole is how you catch a fish using different
kinds of lures. Explain to students that this is what a hook does in writing. It catches our
attention, so that well keep reading. Show students the following video Writing a
Hook (Rheingans, 2014), on hooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1-nt5_bRlQ .
4. Work with the students to collaboratively develop a hook for the prompt Who is the
person you admire most?
5. Next, ask students to jot down their ideas for hooks for their introduction to share with a
classmate, and then to decide which the strongest hook is that will interest the audience to
read more about their position on the topic.
6. Now, ask students to write down their hook on a piece of paper, as well as their claim,
and then pass their paper to the right three times. First, youll pass your paper to your
classmate to your right, and she/he will read your hook and claim, and write down ideas
on how to improve the hook. Then she/he will pass it to the classmate to their right, and
that classmate will write down their ideas. Then that classmate will pass it one last time
to the right, will read the claim and hook, and write down their ideas.
7. Now that you have ideas from your classmates about what is important for the target
audience to know about the topic, decide what would be the best answer to the following
questions to connect the hook to the main claim: What information about the topic is
important for you to know in order to understand the main claim? Who is affected by the
topic? Why is this information about the topic important to know?
8. Using your ideas to the questions, rewrite your hook and pair up with a classmate with
whom you havent worked yet. Exchange your introductions to read, and make
34
suggestions using the following suggestion starters on how to improve your

introduction. Be sure to write down any suggestions from your classmate.
9. Suggestion starters (Appendix C.1):
I like how you say
This sentence/information/idea is very clear to me.
I dont understand this sentence/information/idea. What do you mean by

______________?
I want to know more about ___________________.
I think your hook is ______________________. Is that right?
I think the background information you include is_____________________. Is

that right?
I think your claim is that _______________. Is that right?
10. Finally, ask students to make any changes they think are important based on the feedback
from their classmate. Be sure to collect the introduction at the end of the lesson.
Transition: Clarify for students that they are transitioning from the planning stage to the drafting
stage. Note that they have developed a claim and an introduction that clarifies what the topic is.
Explain why its important to state an overall position or opinion. Next, theyll write out each of
the supporting reasons into sentences that will be used to introduce each of their subsequent
paragraphs.
Activity 2: Developing topic sentences (40 min.)
Purpose: To make sure student topics can be developed into topic sentences.
35
Procedures:
1. Introduce topic sentences by pairing students up and having them identify the topic, and
the best topic sentence using the handout Topic Sentences taken from ESLflow.com
(see Appendix C.2).
2. Next, group the pairs of students together to discuss/debate why their choice of topic
sentence is the best.
3. Using the claim (written on the whiteboard) from the last lesson (see Appendix B.4 from
Lesson 2, Activity 4) stating why the day was busy, identify with the students three
strong reasons, and sequence them under the main claim. Engage students in turning the
supporting reasons into complete sentences.
4. Sequence each of the topic sentences in the graphic organizer used in the last class (either
projected using the smartboard, or by drawing the template on the board), to illustrate
how the topic sentences are placed as the first sentence for each paragraph.
5. Provide students with their graphic organizer (Appendix B.5) from the previous class,
and ask students to transfer the claim and reasons to the new graphic organizer (see
Appendix C.3).
6. Ask students to write each of their reasons in a complete sentence in the box labeled
Topic Sentence. Once they have finished writing out each reason as a sentence, ask
them to then share their topic sentences with a classmate and offer each other suggestions
on how to improve the topic sentences. Students can use the following suggestion
starters (Appendix C.1) to make suggestions:
I like how you say
This topic sentence is very clear to me.
36
I dont understand this topic sentence. What do you mean by ______________?
I think your topic sentence is ______________________. Is that right?
7. Students will then move to an additional classmate to share their main claim and topic
sentences and receive further suggestions. Students will continue moving to the next
classmate until theyve shared their claim and topic sentences with each classmate.
8. Students will then revise their topic sentences before sharing their final topic sentences
with the class and instructor.
Activity 3: Identifying supporting details (40 min.)
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to identify
supporting details and evidence for each of their topic sentences. The claim and topic sentences
on My Busy Day from the prior activity functions as an outline and provides students with
space for their supporting details.
Procedures:
1. Engage students in considering the importance of supporting details by providing
students with Story Starters handout (see Appendix C.4).
2. Students are paired to plan how to tell the Story Starter, but leave their classmates waiting
for the details.
3. After students have read their Story Starter to a partner, ask volunteers to explain why
details are important.
4. Using the sandwich analogy (draw on the board if necessary), explain how a paragraph is
like a sandwich. The topic and concluding sentences are like the bread on a sandwich.
37
The details are like the meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc. on your sandwich and provide
more flavor.
5. Tell students, After establishing your topic sentence of each paragraph or reason, its
important to decide what details best support the reason of the topic sentence. What
details or examples can you provide your reader?
6. Next, using the topic sentences brainstormed by the class and written on the whiteboard
for the claim and topic sentences for My Busy Day, ask students to think of three details
that illustrate Topic Sentence 1. Write their responses on the board under Topic
Sentence 1. Next, ask students to work in groups of three to brainstorm three details for
Topic Sentence 2 and Topic Sentence 3.
7. Once students have finished, invite them to share the supporting details that they decided
on for the remaining two topic sentences.
8. Invite students to give each other feedback on the details they included.
9. Next, ask students to look at the spaces identified as supporting details on their graphic
organizer (Appendix C.2) for their own claim. Explain to students that they are going to
brainstorm three supporting details to give more information for each of their own topic
sentences. Ask them to write their details in the spaces provided following each topic
sentence. Students will work individually for 10-15 minutes to fill in the graphic
organizer and come up with supporting details that illustrate their topic sentences.
10. After time has been called, ask students to share their chosen details.
Closing: You did a great job in coming up with introductions, topic sentences, and supporting
details. In the next class, youll develop concluding sentences for each of your body paragraphs,
as well as a final concluding paragraph. (5 min.)
38
LESSON 4: Writing a First Draft

Students will know how to transition their ideas from a graphic organizer to a first full
draft.
Materials to take to class: dry-erase markers; graphic organizer (Appendix C.2) from prior
class; sample position statement (Appendix D.1); Concluding Sentences handout (Appendix D.2)
Equipment needed for class: computer to project class material and video
Assignments to collect: None
Warm-up: Writing paragraphs: The sandwich analogy (10 min.)
Purpose: To introduce (body) paragraph writing to the students by introducing the analogy of
making a sandwich.
Procedures:
1. State that in todays class, theyll be working on writing the body paragraphs, and the
conclusion, for their essay.
2. Review the sandwich analogy of a paragraph mentioned in the last lesson. Ask students
to explain the main three parts of the sandwich paragraph. The introduction and
concluding sentences are the pieces of bread on a sandwich that hold the middle stuff
together. The middle stuff represent the details (the meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.) on
your sandwich and provide more flavor. Ask the students to identify what parts of the
sandwich theyve made so far. Ask, What parts of a sandwich did you make in the last
class? What do you still need to add to it to finish it?
39
3. Explain that the rest of this class is going to focus on developing the middle part of the
sandwich (meat, cheese, veggies) and the bottom bread (conclusion).
Transition: Now that we have reviewed the sandwich analogy, were going to review the
importance of what is called cohesion in writing. Cohesion is when all your ideas--your topic
sentence, your details and your concluding sentence, all stick together. So lets practice making
sure our ideas stick together.
Activity 1: Paragraph cohesion (10 min.)
Purpose: To review the relationship between the topic sentence and the supporting details, in
order to make students aware of the idea of cohesion among the ideas used to develop a
paragraph. This will support the students engagement with the concept of cohesion, or unity, in
developing the rest of their draft in the lesson.
Procedures:
1. Ask the students to work in pairs, and provide them with a copy of a paragraph from a
sample position statement (see Appendix D.1). Ask the students read through their
paragraph and identify the topic sentence and three supporting details.
2. After five minutes, ask the students if it was easy to identify the topic sentence and
details, and if the details help them understand the topic sentence more.
3. Next, ask the pairs if they think the topic sentence and details stick together. Ask them
what about the sentences makes it not stick together. Provide examples if they struggle
with this task.
Transition: You guys did a great job on finding the topic sentences and supporting details in
the paragraphs. You also learned about the importance of the topic sentences and ideas sticking
40
together. Now lets review your own topic sentences and supporting details so you can begin
drafting your three body paragraphs.
Activity 2: Draft your body paragraphs (30 min.)
Purpose: For students to draft three body paragraphs using a graphic organizer to support the
claim in their introduction.
Procedures:
1. Distribute the graphic organizer handouts (Appendix C.2) that students have completed
previously to read their own topic sentence and supporting details. Ask students to look
closely at whether the supporting details they identified in the prior class stick to the
topic sentence; if all of the details stick together; or if they think another detail might
stick better than one they already have.
2. Model writing (on the whiteboard) the supporting details identified for My Busy Day,
from the prior class, as complete sentences. Construct two versions of a complete
sentence for each supporting detail, and then ask students if one might work better than
the other.
3. Ask students to look at their own supporting details, and write out two versions of a
complete sentence for each.
4. Next, the students will choose two classmates with whom to share their sentences and ask
which version they like more, then share with the class the version they chose for each
supporting detail.
5. Next, ask students to write out their topic sentences and the supporting detail sentences in
the order that they had sequenced their supporting details in the last class.
41
Transition: Great job on improving your supporting details! Next, well look at the purpose of
the concluding sentence in a paragraph, and then develop your own.
Activity 3: Developing a concluding sentence (20 min.)
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is for students to consider how to maintain cohesion in
their paragraphs by creating a concluding sentence that restates what their topic sentence says.
Procedures:
1. Review with students the purpose of the topic sentence and supporting details.
Topic sentence: to present the main reason or idea of the paragraph;
Supporting details: to provide more information, details or examples about the

topic sentence.
2. Ask students what they think the purpose of the concluding sentence most likely is? For
example, What do you think you will most likely restate in the concluding sentence?
3. Pass out the handout Concluding Sentences taken from ESLflow.com (see Appendix
D.2) and ask a student to volunteer to read the definition of a concluding sentence, and
the example.
4. Then, draw students attention to the graph comparing the topic sentences with the
concluding sentences, and ask students to work in pairs to identify the concluding
sentences that best match the given topic sentences in Exercise A.
5. Next, ask students to look at their own topic sentences and supporting details, and
brainstorm two versions of a concluding sentence for each of their paragraphs, or a
restatement of their topic sentences, like what they saw in the handout.
6. Students can then share the two versions of their concluding sentences with two
classmates, to ask which might stick better to the supporting details and topic sentence,
42
to create cohesion. Ask students to share with the class which one they chose for each
paragraph.
7. Next, the instructor will provide the students with paper to transfer their introductions and
body paragraphs onto the same page, to prepare them for writing their conclusion.
8. While the students are working on writing the introduction and body paragraphs, the
teacher can clarify that they can ask each other, or the teacher, for help.
Transition: Now that you have completed your drafts of your introduction and body paragraph,
we will transition to learning how to develop the conclusion paragraph.
Activity 4: Writing the conclusion (30 min.)
Purpose: For students to know what the purpose of the concluding paragraph is, as well as what
to include when they develop one.
Procedures:
1. Elicit from the class examples of how a paragraph is like a sandwich (i.e., introduction is
the upper bread, the supporting details being the middle stuff, and the concluding
sentence being the lower bread).
2. After showing the YouTube video Writing a Killer Conclusion (Seminoff & Tennen,
2013) found at: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7aeO9fBzE), engage the students
in making analogies for an essay without a conclusion, following the model of the video.
For example: a race without a finish line.
3. Pass out an example of a good conclusion paragraph in response to the prompt from
Accuplacer Writeplacer, Can any obstacle or disadvantage be turned into something
good? (WritePlacer Guide, 2008, p. 2) (see Appendix D.3)
43
In conclusion, any obstacle can be overcome into something good. Tests can be
studied for, traffic jams can be overted by detours, and wars can be won against
impossible odds. Since obstacles confront us every day of our lives, we need to be
able to overcome them. If we could not, then life would not be enjoyable.
(WritePlacer Guide, 2008, p. 13) (Appendix D.3)
4. Walk the students through this example of a concluding paragraph sentence by sentence:
First you need to let the readers know that you are going to conclude the essay. That is
how the transition phrase In conclusion works. Next, you need to state your claim
again: any obstacles can be overcome into something good. Then summarize, or tie
together, all the examples or reasons you used in your body paragraphs to support the
claim again.
5. Ask students if they have any questions about the conclusion paragraph.
6. Give students 20 minutes to work on their own conclusion paragraph. The teacher will be
around to help students.
7. When all have completed the task, collect students essays, which will be used for the
next class: revising.
Transition: You guys did a great job on the drafting! We will work on learning how to revise
your first draft in the next class.
Closing: Briefly review the drafting process that they engaged in in class today (10 min.). Lead
an informal conversation with students prompting students to summarize and reflect on the
drafting process and their experience. For example, ask:
The first activity we did in class is review the introductions and topic sentences
you wrote and the details you identified yesterday.
44
Did any of you decide to make any changes to what you wrote yesterday?
In the second activity, was it easy to write your supporting details out as complete
sentences?
What was easy or difficult about restating the topic sentence when you developed
your concluding sentence for each paragraph?
What were the parts to include in the conclusion paragraph?
Homework: None
45
LESSON 5: Revising
Students will know the purpose of revising a first draft.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge of the revision stage of process writing in
revising a sample essay.
Materials to take to class: 1 recipe (with instructions in order) to project and 1 recipe (6 copies)
with the directions out of order (6 copies) (Appendix E.1); checklist for revision of sample and
peer essay (12 copies); samples essays (12 copies); students rough drafts from previous lesson
Equipment needed for class: computer to project materials on the smartboard
Assignments to collect: none
Warm-up: Recipe directions (awareness of audience) (20 min.)
Purpose: To engage students in considering the importance of focus, organization, and the use of
details in developing an awareness of audience in preparation for the revision stage of process
writing.
Procedures:
1. Share with students a recipe (see Appendix E.1) on the smartboard; briefly review with
students the steps involved to make the dish or beverage.
2. Ask students the following with regards to the steps of the recipe:
Is it focused? Organized?
Do you understand the purpose of the recipe?
Does it communicate awareness of the audience?
46
3. Ask students to work in pairs, and provide each pair with a recipe (see Appendix E.1) for
which the instructions contradict the expected focus and organization for a recipe.
4. Ask students to write in the margin where they notice that a step is out of order, or where
an instruction is not focused on the task at hand, and to underline the specific part of the
text that they are referring to.
5. Next, ask students to share their findings with another group, and discuss what
suggestions they would make. Have volunteers share suggestions with the class.
Transition: Highlight to students that theyve just engaged in the basics of the revision stage of
the writing process. Ask the students what would happen if they had tried to follow the recipe
without revising it first? How could they apply that to revising an essay (position statements) that
theyve written their first draft? (Write their ideas on the board).
Activity 1: Preparing for the revision process (30 min.).
Purpose: To recap the main and sub-moves of the position statement, and to scaffold the
introduction to the revising stage by first modeling the revision stage.
Procedures:
1. Provide students with the prompt of the sample essay Can any obstacle or disadvantage
be turned into something good? (WritePlacer Guide, 2008, p. 2), and ask them to
highlight how they would expect the author to respond to the prompt based on the
following questions:
What would you expect them to include in the introduction?
Where would you expect to find the main claim?
What are the parts of the main claim that you would expect to see?
How many reasons would you ask them to discuss?
47
Would you expect them to discuss the reasons all in one paragraph, or one reason
per paragraph?
How many details/much evidence would you expect to find in each paragraph?
Does the order in which the details occur matter?
What would you expect to find at the end of each paragraph discussion of the
reasons?
What would you expect to find at the end of the statement?
2. Provide students with a Peer Revision Checklist (see Appendix E.2), and ask them to read
through the checklist in pairs.
3. Next, ask the students to read through the sample essay (see Appendix E.3) closely on
their own, then read the sample essay aloud to the students.
4. Using the questions on the checklist, have students discuss in pairs if the essay meets the
items on the checklist. Ask pairs what they think needs improvement.
Transition: Recap with students about how essays can be organized and developed, and what
the focus and purpose will be using the recipe and sample position statement as examples. Next,
clarify that the purpose of peer revision is to point out what we see, or the questions we might
have about the text were reading. Tell them they will be practicing now in groups, what they did
as a class.
Activity 2: Collaborative revision of a sample essay (30 min.)
Purpose: To familiarize students with the revision process and demonstrate how to use
templates for peer feedback, in conjunction with what they might notice about the sample essay.
48
Procedures:
1. Provide students (in pairs or groups of three) with a new sample essay (see Appendix
E.4) in response to the same prompt.
2. Ask students to read the essay independently, and then aloud to a partner. Next, ask
students to point-by-point, review the essay for the rhetorical features and elements listed
on the Peer Revision Checklist (see Appendix E.2).
3. Encourage students to engage in conversation with their peer about their perception of the
students use of those features.
4. Ask students to write in the margins what they notice and where they notice it.
5. Finally, ask students to choose one positive remark, and three main concerns to list at the
end.
Transition: Now that youve engaged as a group in analyzing a student sample, youll be
practicing the same with your classmates first draft that you all completed in the last class.
Activity 3: Peer-revision (40 min.)
Purpose: For students to apply what they practiced and observed in noticing errors in focus.
Procedures:
1. Pair students up, and provide each with their first draft from the prior class.
2. Ask students to take 3 minutes to explain to each other the prompt, the claim, the 3 main
reasons, and their concluding point, and to name two features listed on the checklist that
they want their peer to look at closely (in addition to all the other points on the checklist).
3. Ask students to exchange their essays, and read the essay independently two times.
49
4. Next, ask students to point-by-point, review the essay using the Peer Revision Checklist
(see Appendix E.2) and write notes or comments in the margins on what they notice and
where they notice it.
5. Encourage students to ask their peer (the author) any questions for clarification.
6. Finally, ask students to choose a positive remark, and three concerns to list at the end.
Closing: Today, you engaged in your first peer review for this class. You were able to practice
on a sample essay, and then apply your practice to your classmates essay. Tomorrow, well do a
peer editing workshop, where youll learn to highlight specific kinds of errors related to
grammar, word choice, spelling and punctuation (5 min.).
Homework: To make revisions to their peer-revised first draft, and bring the draft to the next
class.
50
LESSON 6: Editing
Students will know how to recognize grammatical, lexical and mechanical errors.
Students will know how to use a checklist to identify grammatical, lexical and
mechanical errors in a sample essay and peer draft.
Students will be able to communicate the errors to their peer.
Materials to take to class: editing checklist (Appendix F.1) (12 copies); dry-erase markers;
colored pencils; sample essay 1 (Appendix F.2) (12 copies); sample essay 2 (Appendix F.3) (12
copies)
Equipment needed for class: None
Assignments to collect: Revised draft from peer-revision
Warm-up: What do you do before you send an email or message? (20 min.)
Purpose: To raise students awareness of editing writings in daily life so they can make
connections to editing essays.
Procedures:
1. Engage students in an informal discussion about what they write on a daily basis. Ask the
class how they communicate with family and friends. This can be on the computer or by
hand. Guide students to name emails or online messages.
2. After eliciting ideas (emails and messages), ask the class: What do you do, after your
write the email or message, but before you hit send? Do you check grammar or spelling
51
mistakes before sending it out? How do you notice the mistakes? Write their answers on
the whiteboard.
3. After students share their ideas, ask: Why do we need to check grammar and spelling
mistakes before sending out emails and messages? After volunteers answer (for clear
and understandable communication), explain that this process is called editing and that
it is the same as with essays. We need to edit grammar, word choice, spelling and
punctuation mistakes to make our essay clear and understandable.
4. Write each error type on the whiteboard and ask students to provide examples for each:
Grammatical mistakes are about grammar such as verb tense, subject-verb

agreement, and word order. For example, we cannot say: *he are happy.
Word choice errors and wrong parts of speech are when you use a wrong word, or
when you use an adverb form of a word instead of an adjective form, or a noun in
place of a verb form. For example, She is quickly, or I have to summary
(summarize) the story.
Mechanical mistakes are spelling, punctuation (periods, commas) and

capitalization such as america (America).
5. Let the students know that by using an editing checklist (Appendix F.1) they will be able
to notice and correct mistake in their essays.
Transition: We have talked about email and message editing in the warm-up, as well as
different types of errors. Now, I will provide you with a checklist we will use to edit a sample
essay together. Are you ready?
Activity 1: Modeling the editing process using a checklist (40 mins)
Purpose: To model for the students how to edit a sample essay using a checklist.
52
Procedures:
1. Distribute the checklist handouts and briefly explain how to use the checklist (see
Appendix F.1): This is a checklist we can use when identifying errors in writing. I will
explain more about each type of error as we edit the sample together.
2. Show students the sample essay (1) (see Appendix F.2) by projecting it on the whiteboard
and pass out copies for each student to correct using colored pencils. Explain that
grammatical errors will be underlined in green, lexical errors in blue, and mechanical
errors were marked in red marker.
3. Go through the sample writing as a class and ask the students to first identify
grammatical errors sentence by sentence. Read the first sentence, then see if they notice
grammar errors. For example, I you think so, you succeed in your life. also in a bed
situation, you must think a good and be a good. Explain the errors to students if they
dont notice them. Explain that it is ungrammatical to use both I and you immediately
after each other in a sentence, we need to choose one pronoun. As for the two a good, a
noun is missing after good, since good is being used as an adjective in this sentence.
4. After identifying a few grammatical errors, move on to lexical errors and then mechanical
errors, starting at the beginning of the sample for each type. For example, something
also in a bed situation is a spelling error since bed does not make sense here. It should
be another word that has similar pronunciation but different spelling. See if the students
can identify which word it is from the context.
5. After looking for a few errors of each type, divide students into pairs to try to correct
other errors in the sample using colored pencils and the checklist.
53
6. Ask volunteers to write correct answers on the whiteboard and check the answers
together with the whole class.
Transition: You have learned how to identify errors by using a checklist. Now, you will work
with a partner to underline different types of errors and make corrections for another sample of
writing.
Activity 2: Collaborative editing of a sample essay (2) (see Appendix F.3 for sample essay) (30
mins.)
Purpose: This activity gives students an opportunity to use the checklist to identify errors in
cooperative learning.
Procedures:
1. Place students into pairs and give each pair a sample writing. Using their checklist, they
will underline the errors by color (provide colored pencils) and make corrections at the
end of each sentence.
2. Clarify that they should first focus on identifying grammatical mistakes, following, word
choice or word form mistakes, and finally, mechanical mistakes.
3. The students have 20 minutes to correct and mark the errors. Be sure to support and guide
students as needed.
4. About 20 minutes later, project sample essay 2 on the whiteboard and ask volunteers to
mark the mistakes with different colored markers.
5. Finally, as a class activity, go line by line through sample 2 to make sure all the mistakes
are correctly marked. Have student volunteers provide the answers aloud as you correct
the answers as a whole class.
54
Transition: We have practiced how to identify errors in the last two activities, and have also
engaged in trying to correct them. Now lets peer-edit the essays we developed last class.
Activity 3: Peer-editing (30 mins)
Purpose: This activity gives students an opportunity to edit each others essays. Students can be
assessed informally as well.
Procedures:
1. Students will be arranged in pairs, and exchange their revised drafts. Then, using the
checklist, they will be asked to identify each kind of error by color, as they did in the
previous activities.
2. Students will have 20 minutes to edit. Encourage students to ask each other questions for
clarification, and to ask for help (from you as the instructor) as a secondary resource.
3. After 20 minutes, ask students to exchange their drafts again. Allow students 10 minutes
to look at their errors. Encourage students to try to make the corrections first
independently (using a dictionary), then by asking a classmate, and then asking you (as
the instructor) as a last resort.
Transition: Now that you have identified and corrected the mistakes with your partners, lets
briefly discuss the editing skills we learned today.
Closing: The teacher will lead a brief discussion about the errors they noticed in the sample
essays. Ask the class, Among all the errors, which type of error is more common than others?
How can we avoid making spelling mistakes/punctuation errors/subject-verb agreement errors?
As your classmates have already helped you marked the errors, please go home and correct the
errors. Be sure to bring your essay back to the next class (10 min.).
Homework: Correct mechanical, lexical, and grammatical errors using peer comments.
55
References
Accuplacer Writeplacer. (2008). The College Board Accuplacer WritePlacer Guide with Sample
Essays. Retrieved from
https://securemedia.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/accuplacer/accuplacer-tsiwriteplacer-sample-essays.pdf
Anthony, L. (2016). AntConc Version 3.4 Corpus Software. Retrieved from
http://www.laurenceanthony.net/software/antconc/
Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) (2007). III-E. Teaching writing to
adult English language learners. Retrieved from
http://www.cal.org/caela/scb/III_E_TeachingWriting.pdf
Community College of Aurora Testing Center (n. d.). CCPT Study Workbook. Retrieved from
https://www.ccaurora.edu/sites/default/files/cca_files/file/Getting_Started/Testing/CCPT
Studworkbook-1.16.pdf
Compleat Lexical Tutor V.8 (n. d.). For data-driven language learning on the web. Retrieved
from http://www.lextutor.ca/
End of Course Writing Prompts (2010). Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/online_writing/writi
ng_prompts/eoc_writing_prompts.pdf
ESL Activities. (2010, May 3). Story Starters. ESL Activities. Retrieved from http://eslresourceseuge.blogspot.com/2010/05/story-starters.html
GED Testing Service Website (2016). Reasoning Through Language Arts Free Practice Test.
Retrieved from http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/rlalink
Hammond, J., & Gibbons, P. (2005). Putting scaffolding to work: The contribution of
56
scaffolding in articulating ESL education. Prospect, 20 (1). pp. 6-30.

Indian Recipes. (n.d.). Horchata recipe. Retrieved from
http://www.indobase.com/recipes/details/horchata.php
Larsen-Freeman, D., & Anderson, M. (2011). Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching.
New York: Oxford University Press.
Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2014). Longman Academic Writing Series 3: Paragraphs to Essays
(4th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.
Rheingans, K. K. (2014, February 2). Writing a hook [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1-nt5_bRlQ .
Seminioff, D., & Tennen, D. (2009). Writing a killer conclusion [Video file]. Shmoop. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7aeO9fBzE
Snashall, P. (1998). Concluding Sentences. ESLflow.com. Retrieved from
http://www.eslflow.com/academicwritng.html
Snashall, P. (1998). Topic Sentences. ESLflow.com. Retrieved from
http://www.eslflow.com/Topic_sentences_worksheet.pdf
Upworthy. (2012). Upworthy: media, news, publishing [Facebook page]. Retrieved from
https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy
57
Appendices
Appendix A.1
Wh-Question Template (Lesson 1, Activity 1)
Who is the topic about?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What is the topic about?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Where is the topic located?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
When is/did the topic take place?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Why is the topic important?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How is the topic effected?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Appendix A.2
Cluster Diagram Template (Lesson 1, Activity 2)
58
Appendix A.3
Venn Diagram Template (Lesson 1, Activity 3)
59
60
Appendix B.1
Developing a Claim (Lesson 2, Activity 1)
Steps to developing a claim:
1. Check and see if all the items on the brainstorm list are relevant to the question you
chose. If some are not, make a note of items that are unrelated and brainstorm new ideas.
2. If the brainstorming list matches the question you chose, next, consider your main
opinion about the topic.
3. Give each idea a number and put them in order.
A claim includes: a topic + a main opinion statement about the subject.
Example 1: My day is busy + because I have something to do every hour of the day.
Example 2: Daylight savings + is ineffective at saving electricity.
Topic
+ Opinion statement
61
Appendix B.2
Choosing Strong Reasons (Lesson 2, Activity 2)
Main Claim 1: Students should be required to volunteer in their communities in order to receive
their high school diploma.
Reasons: Because.
They will learn compassion
They will learn to be less selfish
It will help the community
Organizations wont have to pay anyone to do the job
They will learn to appreciate all people in a community
Its a good thing to do
Main Claim 2: Working toward a goal is more important than being rewarded for achieving it.
Reasons: Because.
You learn more from working toward the goal than the reward.
The reward only makes people act self-centered.
You wont appreciate the reward if dont work for it.
The fun part is in working toward a goal.
People only think about the reward.
Youll remember your hard work more than the recognition.
Main Claim 3: Using a cell phone when youre driving should be against the law.
Reasons: Because...
Cell phone use distracts people from driving
Using a cell phone while driving increases the possibility of an accident
Using a cell phone while driving is just stupid
Most people who have accidents were using their cell phone while driving
People will use their cell phones unless there is a law that says not to.
All car accidents are caused by using a cell phone
62
Main Claim 4: Success requires more than a positive attitude.

Reasons: Because
Success requires a lot of hard work.
Success is easier for some people than for others.
Success requires more patience than a positive attitude.
The fear of failing also motivates success.
A lot of people with a positive attitude arent successful.
There are always a lot of obstacles that can prevent success.
Main Claim 5: All schools should offer music, art and dance classes to build students
creativity.
Reasons: Because...
Being creative is as important as reading and math.
Its important for students to express themselves.
Students should be able to have fun.
Dance, music and art improves concentration.
Art, music and dance is a good way to manage stress.
Science and math are boring anyway.
Adapted from: End of Course Writing Prompts taken from

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/online_writing/writing_pro
mpts/eoc_writing_prompts.pdf
Appendix B.3
Processes (Lesson 2, Activity 4)
Making a peanut butter sandwich.
1. Take out two pieces of bread.
2. Put the two pieces of bread together.
3. Take the top off the peanut butter jar.
4. Put peanut butter on one piece of bread.
Sharpening your pencil.
1. Put the pencil in the pencil sharpener.
2. Take your pencil out of your pencil case.
3. Turn the handle of the sharpener.
4. Take your pencil out of the sharpener.
Sending a text message.
1. Send the message.
2. Turn on your phone.
3. Write your message.
4. Choose your contact.
Making coffee.
1. Pour the hot water into the cup.
2. Put the pot on the stove and turn the stove on.
3. Put a spoon of Nescaf in your cup.
4. Put the water in the pot.
Washing your hands.
1. Dry your hands.
2. Put soap on your hands and rub them.
3. Turn the water on.
4. Rinse the soap off your hands.
63
Appendix B.4
Claims and Reasons (Lesson 2, Activity 4)
Main Claim: My day is busy because I have something to do all day long.
Reasons:
I have to go to school.
I have to help my kids with their homework.
I have to take the car to the auto-shop.
I have to take the kids to school.
I have to pick the kids up from school and I have to go to work.
64
65
Appendix B.5
Graphic Organizer 1 Main Claims and Sequencing Reasons (Lesson 2, Activity 4)
Main Claim
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
66
Graphic Organizer 2 Main Claims and Sequencing Reasons (Lesson 2, Activity 4)
Main Claim
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
67
Appendix C.1
Suggestion Starters (Lesson 3, Activity 1)
Introduction Paragraphs
I like how you say
This sentence/information/idea is very clear to me.
I dont understand this sentence/information/idea. What do you mean by

______________?
I think your hook is ______________________. Is that right?
I think the background information you include is_____________________. Is

that right?
I think your claim is that _______________. Is that right?
Topic Sentences
I like how you say
This topic sentence is very clear to me.
I dont understand this topic sentence. What do you mean by ______________?
I think your topic sentence is ______________________. Is that right?
Appendix C.2
Identifying the Topic and Topic Sentences (Lesson 3, Activity 2)
Source: ESLflow.com.
Read each set of sentences. Write the topic and choose the best topic sentence.
1. Topic:_____________________
a) The rainy season is good.
b) In the rainy season, there are floods.
c) The best season for relaxing is the rainy season.
2. Topic:_____________________
a) Swimming is popular for many reasons.
b) You need a good swimming pool to go swimming.
c) Swimming is fun.
3. Topic:_____________________
a) Bangkok is crowded.
b) People from many different cultures live in Bangkok.
c) Bangkok is a very hot city.
4. Topic:_____________________
a) Smartphones have many functions.
b) There are many ways to use a smartphone in the classroom.
c) Smartphones can be used for translation.
5. Topic:_____________________
a) French wines are popular for a number of reasons.
b) My father drinks French wine.
c) You can buy French wine at good supermarkets.
6. Topic:_____________________
a) An Education is an English movie.
b) A young woman discovers the real world in An Education.
c) An Education is an excellent movie with many lessons for young adults.
68
69
All of the following topic sentences are too general. Rewrite them to be proper topic sentences.
Example: Pets are nice. = too general
Answer: Pets help lonely people to be happier.
1. My hometown is good.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Email is useful.
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Tokyo is the biggest city in Japan.
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Badminton is fun.
______________________________________________________________________________
70
Appendix C.3
Claim, Reasons, Writing Topic Sentences and Supporting Details 1 (Lesson 3, Activity 2)
MAIN CLAIM
REASON 1
TOPIC SENTENCE 1
REASON 2
TOPIC SENTENCE 2
REASON 3
TOPIC SENTENCE 3
TOPIC SENTENCE 2
SUPPORTING DETAILS 1
Appendix C.4
Story Starters (Lesson 3, Activity 3)
1. "Get that thing away from me!" the girl yelled.

2. "That will show them," I thought as I hammered the last nail into place.
3. Everyone had a partner but me. What was I supposed to do now?
4. For the most part, Grandpa was a nice man who liked best of all to
5. Goats, sheep and chickens belong on the farm, not in the middle of...
6. "Get out of there as fast as you can!", I yelled to my brother as...
Source: ESL Activities. (2010, May 3). Story Starters. ESL Activities. Retrieved from
http://eslresources-euge.blogspot.com/2010/05/story-starters.html
71
72
Appendix D.1
Sample Position Statement Paragraph (Lesson 4, Activity 1)
Adapted from Accuplacer WritePlacer (2008)
Small obstacles, like the big test in school, can be overcome with hard work and
determination. If you spend enough time studying beforehand, and doing practice questions to
build your confidence, chances are you will do very well. Also, if you study over multiple days,
you will also be more familiar with the material. On the other hand, if you procrastinate and do
not prepare for the test until the night before it, chances are you will do poorly.
73
Appendix D.2
Concluding Sentences (Lesson 4, Activity 3)
Source: ESLflow.com
The concluding sentence is the final sentence in a paragraph. The sentence is usually general,
and it signals the reader that the paragraph is finished. It may be a restatement of the topic
sentence, and it may summarize the information in the paragraph.
Lets review a paragraph from the lesson on Supporting Sentences. The concluding sentence is a good
example of a restatement of the topic sentence.
My Aunt Maries recipe for Disappearing Cookies is easy for anyone to
follow. First, gather all the ingredients onto the counter and turn the oven on.
Second, mix the ingredients in a large bowl. Next spoon the batter onto cookie
sheets in small mounds. After that, bake the cookies in the oven. Finally, after
the cookies have cooled, call in the family and watch them disappear. Following
the recipe is easy, and eating them is even easier.
Its helpful to visualize the topic sentence and the concluding sentence together to understand the close
relationship they have:
My Aunt Maries recipe for Disappearing Cookies is easy for anyone to
follow. Following the recipe is easy, and eating them is even easier.
Concluding paragraphs restate the topic sentence, remind the reader of the general nature of the
paragraph, and may contain synonyms of words used in the topic sentence.
Topic Sentence
is easy for anyone to follow
Concluding Sentence
Following the recipe is easy
My family likes to take short vacations

every weekend.
You can learn to make egg rolls by
following these easy steps.
Dogs make the best house pets for
most Americans.
These short vacations are happy days that we

enjoy together over the weekend.
Making egg rolls is easy if you follow these
steps and practice often.
For a great house pet and loving companion,
Americans cant beat having a dog.
74
A. Choose the best concluding sentence for the topic sentences below.
1. Choosing a car can be tricky unless you follow these guide lines.
a. Choosing a car is a lot like choosing a horse.
b. It depends on the features that you feel are most important.
c. Following these information guides can lead you to a satisfying purchase.
2. Education is the best thing you can do to advance your career.
a. Careers are built on experience, skill and education.
b. Education is necessary for professionals but not for laborers.
c. English is a skill you can learn to advance your career.
3. The horseless carriage was the single most important achievement of the 20th Century.
a. Cars have made our spheres larger, our wallets thinner, and our world much more
attainable.
b. The wide-range of influence that the horseless carriage has made on all our lives began
in the 20th Century, and is felt still today.
c. The horseless carriage, the industrial revolution and lowering the voting age were great
achievements of the 20th Century.
4. When my family comes to visit, the back yard is transformed into a park with picnic tables,
barbecue and, of course, the volleyball net.
a. Some say its the family circus in our back yard, but I like to think of it as our family
picnic in our own little park.
b. The relatives come from twenty different states to meet for two or three days, once a
year.
c. We play volleyball, rain or shine, and barbecue everything steak, fish, vegetables,
even slices of bread.
75
Appendix D.3
Sample of a Good Conclusion Paragraph (Lesson 4, Activity 4)
Source: WritePlacer Guide, 2008, p. 13
Prompt: Can any obstacle or disadvantage be turned into something good?
In conclusion, any obstacle can be overcome into something good. Tests can be studied
for, traffic jams can be overted by detours, and wars can be won against impossible odds. Since
obstacles confront us every day of our lives, we need to be able to overcome them. If we could
not, then life would not be enjoyable.
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Appendix E.1
Recipe for Horchata (Lesson 5, Warm-up)
How to make Horchata:
Grind rice in the blender, until it is smooth.
Toss with cinnamon stick and lime zest.
Let it rest overnight.
In the morning, put rice mixture into blender and blend until smooth.
Add in 2 cups of water to the mixture and soak for 2 hours.
Strain the liquid through a fine sieve.
Add in the rest of the water and stir in sugar, until dissolved.
Recipe for Pancakes (Lesson 5, Warm-up)
Mix in the sugar.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Pour or scoop the batter onto the pan. Make sure there isnt any cat hair on the frying pan.
Mix until smooth. Dont forget to turn off the hot water for the coffee.
Brown on both sides and serve hot.
Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter;
Heat a frying pan over medium high heat. Dont forget to call your mom for Mothers Day, and
remind me to tell you about what happened at work yesterday.
Appendix E.2
Peer Revision Checklist (Lesson 5, Activity 1)
Introduction
1. Does the introduction include a hook?
2. Does it catch your attention?
3. Does the introduction include enough background information? Or does it need more?
4. Is the background information about the topic?
5. Does the introduction include a claim?
6. What do you think about the claim?
Body Paragraphs (Repeat for each reason)
1. Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence?
2. Is the focus of the paragraph clear to you after you read the topic sentence?
3. Does the paragraph include enough supporting details or examples?
4. If it needs more, what kind of details would you suggest?
5. Does the body paragraph include a concluding sentence? Does it restate the topic
sentence?
6. Do the topic sentence, the details and the concluding sentence stick together?
Conclusion
1. Does the conclusion begin with In conclusion?
2. Does the conclusion restate the claim?
3. Does the conclusion summarize the details from all three reasons?
77
78
Appendix E.3
Sample Essay for Class Revision (Lesson 5, Activity 1)
Source: WritePlacer Guide, 2008, p. 10
There are many things in life that may seem to have a difficult or depressing outlook but if
you try some of those things can be turned into something outstanding. For example there may
be certain people you may run into on a day to day basis that may seem to carry themselves in a
bad way but you have to try to get to know them because you never know that can turn out to be
one of the best people in the world.
Many people in our society look at things such as driving a car, to be a very hard obstacle
because they feel that its something that is hard to do, but until they try they will never know. If
wed learn to look at the bright side of things instead of the negative then many things that we
face in our life would turn out for the better. When you think you may have down all that is in
your power to do to try to get the good out of something, believe me there is always someone
who will be able to help you. I know that there are things that may seem too hard or difficult but
if you put your mind to it everything will come out for the better. I know there have been some
times in my life when I have been in some difficult situations such as the time I lost money out
of my wallet and I didnt know what I was going to do. But I stopped worrying about it and it
wasnt long before I had my money back. Whenever you come up on something in your life that
you may think that there is no way of accomplishing
79
Appendix E.4
Sample Essay for Collaborative Revision (Lesson 5, Activity 2)
Source: WritePlacer Guide, 2008
I think that most of lifes obstacles or disadvantages can be turned into something good.
The way you look at situations determines the outcome of a situation because if you look at the
situation negatively you dont have any hope that the outcome would be positive; but if you look
at the situation positively you would have a better chance at being successful at what you do.
The writer in the passage saw the chair in his way as an obstruction to his performance
but the producer had a broader perspective saying that he could use the chair according to what
the genre of the play was. For bad things to work out we need to stop being so narrow minded
and broaden our perspective on life.
If you committed a crime and got caught dont just concentrate on the bad that happened
in your life, use that experience to share with others showing them the hardship that goes with
that type of lifestyle discouraging them not to do it. The outcome of a situation is determined by
how you look at it.
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Appendix F.1
Editing Checklist (Lesson 6, Activity 1)
Grammatical Errors:
Subject verb agreement______________________________________________
Sentence structure/placement__________________________________________
Verb tense_________________________________________________________
Mechanical errors:
Punctuation________________________________________________________
Spelling___________________________________________________________
Capitalization______________________________________________________
Lexical Errors:
Part of speech______________________________________________________
Word choice_______________________________________________________
81
Appendix F.2
Sample Essay 1 (Lesson 6, Activity 2)
Color Key:
Red = Mechanical Errors (spelling, punctuation, capitalization)
Green = Grammatical Errors (verb tense, subject-verb agreement, missing part of speech)
Blue = Lexical Errors (wrong part of speech, wrong word choice)
This sentencis very good and right because you must belive thet have a good and
positive, something also in a bed situation. I you think so, you succeed in your life. also in a bad
situation, you must think a good and be a good.
I have 3, examples from my life:
1 I basketball player I have alot of games and tugh games. I want a great player. I am
alaways think good befor every game and also befor every practice. this thinking help me to
secceed. If I lose a game I dont cry I try to take the good things from the bad game, this is not
help me if I cry all the time.
2. I had a important text befor 3 years I remember this text all the time, beacuse that I got
a high score, because I learned alot before this text, this text all the time in my memory because
the way was very difficulte, I thought good befor the text, and I secceded I all the time thought
good and positive.
3. I didnt secceded in the first, text driving. I didnt cry, I tried to learn from my
mistakes. In the second text driving I secceded beacuse I thought positive and I said to myself
that I good driver and I will secceed.
From this exampls I can to learn that I you think good and positive you secceed all the
time. Also if you mistake or dont secceed you must to take the good and the positive from your
mistakes. I can to say to the end that if you thought good and positive and you learn to take all
the positive things. you be enjoy and you will be fun and you succeed, all the time, you need to
learn from the mistakes. Thare arnet perfect people! Bielive yourself!
82
Appendix F.3
Sample Essay 2 (Lesson 6, Activity 3)
Color Key:
Can any disadvantage turn into something good? Every person answers this question differently,
and that is his way to live. Some are optimistic, some are pasimistic, either way, the way we
answer this question is, in a way, our way of life.
Some people can look on something that to me it is wonderful and find it terrible, and other can
chear me up when something sad happens, and show me a nicer and chearful way of looking on
it.
A good example is what happend today, this morning. I came to take this test from my home
which is a few drive from the test center for different reasons I came in late in about ten minutes,
but instead of being stressed because of it, I was (and still am) quite calm, and actually in very
happy and satisfied with my approach to this in compare to my father who took it very hard.
I believe that the ability to look on the bright side, in both better and worse cases, is a recipie for
a better and calmer life.
83
Teacher Copy with Answers

Color Key:
Can any disadvantage turn into something good? Every person answers this question differently,
and that is his way to live. Some are optimistic, some are pasimistic, either way, the way we
answer this question is, in a way, our way of life.
Some people can look on something that to me it is wonderful and find it terrible, and other can
chear me up when something sad happens, and show me a nicer and chearful way of looking on
it.
A good example is what happend today, this morning. I came to take this test from my home
which is a few drive from the test center for different reasons I came in late in about ten minutes,
but instead of being stressed because of it, I was (and still am) quite calm, and actually in very
happy and satisfied with my approach to this in compare to my father who took it very hard.
I believe that the ability to look on the bright side, in both better and worse cases, is a recipie for
a better and calmer life.

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Running head: BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Thematic Syllabus: Basic Academic Process Writing

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Unit 3: Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing, Drafting, Revising

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Recognize in sample essays the rhetorical features of focus, organization, use of

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Thematic Unit 3: Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing, Drafting,

Brainstorm and organize ideas for position statements.

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Thematic Unit 4: Expanding on and Applying Brainstorming and Drafting

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Unit Objectives: Students will be able to

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Unit Objectives: Students will be able to

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Demonstrate confidence and efficiency in using a computer to complete writing exercises

Thematic Unit 8: Practice Exams: Computer-based, Timed and Un-timed

Respond to position statement and argument analysis prompts on a computer and

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

Understanding Essay Instructions and Prompts

1. Understanding unfamiliar vocabulary in daily contexts

1. Using daily contexts to infer the meaning of words in essay

Identifying and Applying the Main and Sub-Moves of Position

1. Comparing and contrasting two texts in order to notice differences

1. Using a graphic organizer (outlines and/or flowcharts) to

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

1. Rhetorical features (focus, organization, details and evidence,

Academic Process Writing: Brainstorming and Organizing,

1. Using Wh-questions, Cluster and Venn-diagrams to brainstorm in

1. Using diagrams and templates to brainstorm ideas

1. Brainstorming and organizing, drafting, revising and editing.

Expanding on and Applying Brainstorming and Drafting

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

5. Cohesion and coherence.

1. Cluster diagrams versus Venn-diagrams and position statements

1. Matching brainstorming strategies to the text genre

1. Common collocations (as used in sample position statements and

Expanding on and Applying Revisions

1. Developing a checklist for revision of own writing using essay

1. Using essay instructions and prompts to support the revision

1. Transition phrases and verbs (of contrast, addition, conclusion,

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

2. Focus, organization, supporting details and evidence, purpose and

Editing, Syntax and Word Choice for Basic Academic Essays

1. Noticing patterns of error in personal drafts

1. How to detect patterns of grammatical, lexical and mechanical

1. Syntactical constructions: complex and compound sentences;

Beginning Computer and Keyboarding Skills: Basic

1. Using basic computer functions (logging on/off computers,

1. Using home position on a keyboard to improve typing speed and

BASIC ACADEMIC PROCESS WRITING

1.Specialized vocabulary: mouse, monitor, keyboard, screen, icon,

Practice Exams: Computer-based, Timed and Un-timed

1. Guided replication of untimed placement test situations