ENG011A English Foundations II Unit 2 Writing Assignment 2.12 Writing Good Paragraphs

ENG011A | English Foundations II| Unit 2 Writing Assignment|2.12 Writing Good Paragraphs

Name: Date: Writing Assignment Writing Good Paragraphs Answer each question. Be sure to save your work. When you are done, upload your work to the assignment drop box. Remember to turn in your work by the due date for full credit!

(1 point each)

1. Read each paragraph. Determine which of the four types of paragraphs is portrayed and Score type your answer in the space.

Remember the four paragraph types:

Narrative writing tells a story by sharing details of a past experience. Descriptive writing describes a person, place, thing, or an idea. Expository writing shares information about a specific topic. The writing can explain how to do something, how something works, or just inform the reader. Persuasive writing expresses the writer’s opinion and tries to convince the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view.

a. Planting carrots in a garden is easy if you follow several simple steps. First, prepare the soil. Next, make a small hole in the soil and plant several seeds inside the hole. Then, gently cover the seed and keep the soil moist. Water regularly. Finally, pick your carrots from the garden when the tops are approximately 5" tall. Enjoy your fresh vegetables!

b. The garden in spring is a time of rebirth. All living things are growing and changing. The trees are filling out with small, pale green leaf buds almost ready to open to the sun. The pink and white flowers blooming in the fruit trees make the air smell sweet and give us a hint of the luscious fruits to come later in the summer. The ground is bursting with new plant growth. Spring is a wonderful time of year.

c. One foggy morning before the sun rose over the garden wall, two small elves ran among the flower stems. I had gone outside to try to catch a glimpse of them moving about the garden. As I bent down for a closer look, the elves dashed around a tulip plant. Boy, were they surprised to see me! After I convinced them that I wouldn't hurt them, we became friends.

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d. Growing your own fruits and vegetables in a garden is hard work. The benefits, however, greatly outweigh the difficulties. Fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden are higher in nutrients than the store-bought varieties. The freshness is apparent in the crispness and color. Finally, the taste is much better because the vegetables are sweeter in flavor. They come directly to your table from the garden. They don't lose their freshness sitting on a grocer's shelf. True, raising your own garden is a lot of work, but it is certainly worth it.

(1 point each)

2. Identify the topic sentence in each paragraph and type it in the space. Score

a. Striking the piñata is a favorite pastime during Christmas in Mexico. The donkey piñata hangs from the ceiling, waiting for children to begin the game. When the guests arrive, each child attempts to crack open the piñata. They are blindfolded, spun about, and handed a long stick. Inside the decorated donkey are all sorts of goodies and treats to eat. Sometimes they even find small toys inside.

b. From the edge of the mantle, the three red stockings hung waiting to be filled by Santa. They had been put there by the children in the family. Each child could hardly wait until Christmas morning to see what surprises were hidden inside the stockings.

c. Jack-o-lanterns are a special part of Halloween. On Halloween night, the glowing jack-o-lantern sits on the front porch waiting for the rush of trick-or-treaters. Everyone in the neighborhood decorates their homes for Halloween. Children dressed in costumes travel from door to door collecting treats and watching out for tricks!

(2 points each) 3. Write a topic sentence about each picture. The type of paragraph has been provided for you. Score

Example:

Type of paragraph: persuasive Topic Sentence: Taking a class in car repair can be a rewarding experience.

a. Type of paragraph: narrative Topic Sentence:

b. Type of paragraph: expository Topic Sentence:

c. Type of paragraph: descriptive

Topic Sentence:

(7 points) 4. Choose your favorite topic sentence that you wrote above and write a short paragraph Score about it.

Your Score ___ of 20