First level, sample
Body paragraph 1
This paragraph is about the winner, and how he prepared for the race. How did he train? Lots of teacher led or small group discussion before writing.
Some words you might use:
practice, training, preparing, stamina, endurance, indefatigable, endurance,
dedication, persistence.
(How to choose and teach two words from this list is an important component. Which two will vary from class to class.)
Body paragraph 1. Why he is the winner, how he prepared.
(I have provided the lead/ topic/ introductory sentence. Students fill in the how, what, why of
that lead sentence. That is all that is required of them at this stage.)
Our winner trained daily for this event.
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Second level
The lead sentence is provided, to ensure students do not go off track. They are now adding a concluding sentence. This is provided for them at the beginning of this section, modelling a good concluding sentence. This changes to possible sentence starters as they progress. (You could begin this sentence with … or …. or something else.) Transition words are introduced.
Third level, sample
Body paragraph 1 This paragraph is about what the miners knew and did not know. How did not knowing about what was happening above ground influence their survival plan? Students discuss in small groups of 2 or 3 before writing.
Some words you might use:
unknown, ignorant of, oblivious, faith, optimism, confidence, expectation, determination, temptation, accord, concur, acquiesce, frugal, economise, stretch, eke out, supply, allocate, apportion.
By now, only a template of the paragraph structure is provided. Students are now adding the explanation sentences, and are using a range of cohesive devices. The Sentence Book teaches this.
Lead Sentence
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Evidence and Examples (What)
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Explanation (So what?)
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Concluding sentence
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.