Writing with Mrs. Murphy

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Journal Prompt - April 28

Good morning!

Free choice journal today! Write, draw, amaze me!

God bless,
Mrs. Murphy

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Journal Prompt - April 27

Happy Wednesday!

Here is your journal prompt for today ....

Draw a series of pictures or cartoons that explain how to do something ordinary like making a sandwich.

Have a fabulous day!
Mrs. Murphy

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Happy Tuesday!

Below is your journal prompt for today!

God bless,
Mrs. Murphy

List the 10 best compliments that you have ever received. Which one meant the most to you? Why? Which one meant the least? Why?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Journal Prompt - April 25

Happy Easter Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Easter weekend! Below is your prompt for this morning!

God bless,
Mrs. Murphy

Journal Prompt:

What is the difference between coincidence, fate, and divine intervention?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Journal Prompt - April 19

Happy Tuesday!

Here is your journal prompt for today...

The qualities that make a best friend are....

Wishing you a wonderful day!
Mrs. Murphy

Monday, April 18, 2011

Journal - April 18

Hello 6A and 6B!

Happy Monday! Below is your journal prompt for today!

If I could give one piece of advice to any person in history, that advice would be...

Wishing you a wonderful day!
Mrs. Murphy

Friday, April 15, 2011

Journal - April 15

Good morning 6A!

Your journal prompt for today is free choice! Dazzle me with your writing brilliance!

God bless,
Mrs. Murphy

Traits of Writing

Ideas (Central Message)
Finding a Topic
Focusing the Topic
Developing the Topic
Using Details

Organization (Internal Structure)
Creating the lead
Using sequence words and transition words
Structuring the Body
Ending With a Sense of Resolution

Voice (Tone of the piece)
Establishing a Tone
Conveying the Purpose
Creating a Connection to the Audience
Taking Risks to Create Voice

Word Choice (Vocabulary)
Applying Strong Verbs
Selecting Striking Words and Phrases
Using Specific and Accurate Words
Choosing Words That Deepen Meaning

Sentence Fluency (How words and sentences flow)
Crafting Well-Built Sentences
Varying Sentence Types
Capturing Smooth and Rhythmic Flow
Breaking the "Rules" to Create Fluency

Conventions (Mechanical Correctness)
Checking Spelling
Punctuating Effectively and Paragraphing Accurately
Capitalizing Correctly
Applying Grammar and Usage

Presentation (Physical Appearance)
Applying Handwriting Skills
Using Word Processing Effectively
Making Good Use of White Space
Refining Text Features

Journal Writing

Journal Writing is a daily required assignment. You will be given a new prompt each day to write a thoughtful response to. Your response should consist of three to four paragraphs and should be written in proper format. You will be given approximately ten minutes to complete the writing assignment. Seven students will be pulled to share their responses each day.

If you should finish writing before time is called you may:
* Complete a Power Typing Excercise (link to the left)
* Read from our current literature story.
* Work in your handwriting book.

The items above should be accessed in that order.

Happy Journaling!

Modes of Writing

The Modes of Writing help the writer establish and maintain a purpose for writing. The modes are:

Narrative: to tell a story

Expository: to inform or explain

Persuasive: to construct an argument

During the early part of writing, writers focus on which mode they are going to use. The writer will decide if they are going to tell a story (Narrative), explain something (Expository), or try to convince the reader of something (Persuasive). As the writing process continues, the writer may find that they must blend modes in order to make the strongest impression on their audience.