POWER WRITING

A guide to writing fuller and logically

organized paragraphs for better essays.

WHAT IS POWER WRITING?

An outlining system designed to assist writers in maintaining a focusUsed to ensure that support is provided for opinions

Used to ensure that examples support research

1-2-2

It’s as easy as…

THE POWER ONE – P1

Also known as the Main IdeaIntroduces the topicIntroduces the number of facts, reasons, or characteristics to be explained

P1 - Rain causes two problems.

THE POWER TWO SENTENCE – P2

These relate directly to the P1 Each P2 statement provides support by

giving one reason, fact, or characteristic P2 statements are the what or why. Transitions that can be used to begin P2

statements: one – another – also – besides – to begin

First, rain may trigger floods. Second, rain can bring about mudslides.

HOOKING THE READER THE POWER ZERO – P0

AKA: the Hook An interesting question, striking

statement, a direct or famous quote, a reference to an incident, or a short summarization of a story that relates to the topic

It does not contain the topic. Provides a lead-in or sets a mood or

tone Is placed before the P1 or at the end of

a paragraph or essay…sometimes both!

TWO WAYS TO VIEW POWER OUTLINING

Bubble Format Linear Format

P0 Rain, rain go away.

P1 – Rain problemsP2 – FloodsP2 - MudslidesP2

Floods

P2Mud-slide

s

P1Rain

Problems

P0

BEGINNING WITH BABY STEPS Beauty is in the eye of the

beholder, but strange is universal. There are a couple of things about his house that make it the strangest house in the neighbor-hood. The color is not like any other house you’ve ever seen. Plus, it also has a very unusual number of windows.

Make an outline for this paragraph.

POSSIBILITIESP0 – Beauty: eye

of beholder

P1 – Strangest HouseP2 – unusual colorP2 – number of

windows

BeautyEye of

Beholder

Strangest House

Unusual color

Number of

windows

QUICK IN-CLASS PRACTICE

(0)Is television educational? (1)Watching T.V. is good idea for 2 reasons.(2)___________________________.(2)_________________________________________.

(0)____________.(1) There are several reasons for not viewing TV. (2) ______

______________(2) _______________________.

INDENT INDENT

(0) Only special people can be teachers. (1) Teacher have two characteristics that make them different from other people. (2) ___________ . (2) _____________________ .

(0) _____________________ . (1) ______is a great place to live for many reasons. (2) _______________ . (2) _____________________ .

Use only what is here. Do not embellish!

HOMEWORK: ON THE SAME SHEET, COMPLETE BOTH OF

THESE!