Paragraph Essentials: A Writing Guide

This worktext guides students through a seven-step writing process--from generating ideas to completing a paragraph--and repeatedly demonstrates each step while covering the structure of nine types of paragraphs, including narrative, descriptive, comparison/contrast, and summary paragraphs. Questions about each stage promote paragraph analysis and critical-thinking skills.

Table of Contents:
1. The Writing Process Writing Warm-Up 1 Becoming a Strong Writer Seven Steps in the Writing Process Grammar and Usage Tips Internet Enrichment Parts of Speech Review 2. Writing Effective Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 2 Writing Effective Paragraphs The Structure of a Paragraph Three Qualities of an Effective Paragraph Kinds of Paragraphs Writing a Cover Letter Writing Assignment Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 3. Narrative Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 3 The Narrative Paragraph The Structure of a Narrative The Writing Process for Narratives Writing Assignment Narrative Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 4. Descriptive Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 4 The Descriptive Paragraph The Structure of a Descriptive Paragraph The Writing Process for Descriptive Paragraphs Writing Assignment Descriptive Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 5. Process Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 5 The Process Paragraph The Structure of a Process Paragraph The Writing Process for Process Paragraphs Writing Assignment Process Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 6. Comparison or Contrast Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 6 The Comparison or Contrast Paragraph The Structure of a Comparison or Contrast Paragraph The Writing Process for Comparison or Contrast Paragraphs Writing Assignment Comparison or Contrast Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 7. Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 7 Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs The Structure of Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs The Writing Process for Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs Writing Assignment Exemplification/Classification Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 8. Definition Paragraph Writing Warm-Up 8 The Definition Paragraph The Structure of a Definition Paragraph The Writing Process for Definition Paragraphs Writing Assignment Definition Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 9. Cause-Effect Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 9 The Cause-Effect Paragraph The Structure of a Cause-Effect Paragraph The Writing Process for Cause-Effect Paragraphs Writing Assignment Cause-Effect Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercise Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 10. Summary Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 10 The Summary Paragraph Writing Informal and Formal Summaries The Writing Process for Summary Paragraphs Writing Assignment Summary Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment 11. Writing Paragraph Answers for Test Questions Answering Definition and Short-Answer Questions Understanding Direction Words Using Key Words Preparing for Tests Using Prewriting Techniques Writing Your Paragraph Answer Practice Writing Test Answers Paragraph Answers for Test Questions Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Learning from Your Tests Internet Enrichment 12. Essays From Paragraphs to Essays The Structure of an Essay Understanding Your Essay Assignment The Writing Process for Essays Learning from Model Essays Writing Assignment Writing Essay Answers on Tests Additional Test-Taking Strategies for Essays Enjoy the Process of Writing Essays Internet Enrichment Appendix A. Student Answer Key Appendix B. Helpful Charts

About the Author :
After receiving her MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Oregon in 1970, Linda Wong started her teaching career in the Springfield School District in Oregon. After six years, Linda left the classroom to start an educational consulting business, which included self-publishing classroom activity books, teaching adjunct courses in the Northwest, and operating a school supply store. In 1983, she returned to the classroom to begin a 22-year teaching career in the Academic Learning Skills Department at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. At Lane, Linda taught developmental education and college study skills courses and actively participated in curriculum development projects, the Women's Transition Program, programs for students with learning disabilities, and the campus Diversity Team. Linda retired and relocated to Las Vegas in 2001 where she explored teaching in a temporary position at a charter school, providing private tutoring for a family of five, and writing training video scripts for online business courses. Linda has continued her involvement in education as an educational consultant, a presenter at national conferences, and an author of several textbooks. After several years of freelancing as a writer of magazine articles and a reviewer for several college textbook publishers, Linda began her career as a textbook writer in 1994 with the first edition of ESSENTIAL STUDY SKILLS. She continues authoring textbooks and exploring other avenues of writing. Linda has one son, Kailee, and four beautiful grandchildren.

Review :
1. The Writing Process Writing Warm-Up 1 Becoming a Strong Writer Seven Steps in the Writing Process Grammar and Usage Tips Internet Enrichment Parts of Speech Review 2. Writing Effective Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 2 Writing Effective Paragraphs The Structure of a Paragraph Three Qualities of an Effective Paragraph Kinds of Paragraphs Writing a Cover Letter Writing Assignment Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 3. Narrative Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 3 The Narrative Paragraph The Structure of a Narrative The Writing Process for Narratives Writing Assignment Narrative Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 4. Descriptive Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 4 The Descriptive Paragraph The Structure of a Descriptive Paragraph The Writing Process for Descriptive Paragraphs Writing Assignment Descriptive Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 5. Process Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 5 The Process Paragraph The Structure of a Process Paragraph The Writing Process for Process Paragraphs Writing Assignment Process Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 6. Comparison or Contrast Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 6 The Comparison or Contrast Paragraph The Structure of a Comparison or Contrast Paragraph The Writing Process for Comparison or Contrast Paragraphs Writing Assignment Comparison or Contrast Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 7. Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 7 Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs The Structure of Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs The Writing Process for Exemplification and Classification Paragraphs Writing Assignment Exemplification/Classification Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 8. Definition Paragraph Writing Warm-Up 8 The Definition Paragraph The Structure of a Definition Paragraph The Writing Process for Definition Paragraphs Writing Assignment Definition Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 9. Cause-Effect Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 9 The Cause-Effect Paragraph The Structure of a Cause-Effect Paragraph The Writing Process for Cause-Effect Paragraphs Writing Assignment Cause-Effect Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Grammar and Usage Tips Grammar and Usage Tips Summary Proofreading and Editing Exercise Internet Enrichment Grammar and Usage Review 10. Summary Paragraphs Writing Warm-Up 10 The Summary Paragraph Writing Informal and Formal Summaries The Writing Process for Summary Paragraphs Writing Assignment Summary Paragraph Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Proofreading and Editing Exercises Internet Enrichment 11. Writing Paragraph Answers for Test Questions Answering Definition and Short-Answer Questions Understanding Direction Words Using Key Words Preparing for Tests Using Prewriting Techniques Writing Your Paragraph Answer Practice Writing Test Answers Paragraph Answers for Test Questions Planning Sheet Partner Feedback Form Learning from Your Tests Internet Enrichment 12. Essays From Paragraphs to Essays The Structure of an Essay Understanding Your Essay Assignment The Writing Process for Essays Learning from Model Essays Writing Assignment Writing Essay Answers on Tests Additional Test-Taking Strategies for Essays Enjoy the Process of Writing Essays Internet Enrichment Appendix A. Student Answer Key Appendix B. Helpful Charts