Journal Structure

TS (Topic Sentence) [Explains what the paragraph will be about]

SS1 (Supporting Sentence 1) [First reason to support TS]

E1 (Explanation, Example or Evidence = In that order) [Supports SS1]

So Students explain SS1 first, then gives an example or a quote (evidence) to support E1.

SS2 (Supporting Sentence 2) [Second reason to support TS]

E2 (Explanation, Example or Evidence = In that order) [Supports SS2]

So Students explain SS2 first, then gives an example or a quote (evidence) to support E2.

SS3 (Supporting Sentence 3) [Third reason to support TS]

E3 (Explanation, Example or Evidence = In that order) [Supports SS3]

So Students explain SS3 first, then gives an example or a quote (evidence) to support E3.

CS (Closing Sentence) [just like with thesis, TS is restated, Just in a different way]

DIRECTIONS:

1. Give students a prompt. 2. Students create a web to find the three main reasons to support a journal prompt--Circle the three. 3. Students label the three circled reasons according to importance: SS1—least important SS2—important but not the most important SS3—most important and leaves an impression on the reader 4. Students write in the format below. Note—Starting out, have students color code sentences so they know they are putting in all the elements. TS & CS = black ink SS’s = Red ink E’s = blue ink This way, students can have a visual of the format below: SENTENCE LENGTHS:

8-Sentence Paragraph (the numbers are sentence quantity)

TS 1 SS1 1 E1 1 (one sentence explanation only) SS2 1 E2 1 (one sentence explanation only) SS3 1 E3 1 (one sentence explanation only) CS 1

11-Sentence Paragraph (the numbers are sentence quantity)

TS 1 SS1 1 E1 2 (one-two sentences explanation or one sentence explanation and one example) SS2 1 E2 2 (one-two sentences explanation or one sentence explanation and one example) SS3 1 E3 2 (one-two sentences explanation or one sentence explanation and one example) CS 1

14-Sentence Paragraph (the numbers are sentence quantity)

TS 1 SS1 1 E1 3 (two sentences explanation & one sentence example or quote) SS2 1 E2 3 (two sentences explanation & one sentence example or quote) SS3 1 E3 3 (two sentences explanation & one sentence example or quote) CS 1

17-Sentence Paragraph (the numbers are sentence quantity)

TS 1 SS1 1 E1 4 (three sentences explanation & one sentence example or quote) SS2 1 E2 4 (three sentences explanation & one sentence example or quote) SS3 1 E3 4 (three sentences explanation & one sentence example or quote) CS 1