English Language Arts 9English Language Arts 9English Language Arts 9English Language Arts 9

LA9U1L7LA9U1L7““The Writing Process”The Writing Process”

Agenda for the Day1. Review of the Main Idea

2. Viewing photographs for the Main Idea…

Any Questions?

The Main Idea

xpository writing: The main idea is the point, opinion, or piece of information that the writer is presenting.

For Example: Pippi Longstocking offers a positive role model for preschool children. She is quick witted and this quick thinking often gets her and her friends, out of difficult situations. She is optimistic and positive about all situations, never complaining or whining when things do not go as planned. She sees the good in all people, often even finding positive attributes in the villains of the story.

escriptive writing: The main idea is the dominant impression that the writer is conveying.

Pippi Longstocking is a striking and unusual personality. Her hair is bright red, which in itself puts her in a minority of hues. In addition to its color though are the rigid braids her brilliant red hair are worn in. These braids stick straight out of her head, perpendicular to her ears! Her nose is peppered with equally bright red freckles and her eyes sparkle with mischief. She is a unique, and definitely, head turning individual.

arrative writing: The main idea is the event, action, or incident that the author is focusing on.

Pippi decided to put her horse, Horse, in a jumping competition. Pippi, undeterred by the fact that Horse would be facing very refined and extensively trained horses in competition, signed Horse up for the County Show Jumping Championships. Everyone was mortified! She wasn't bothered at all by the snobby remarks of the upper crust competitors. She led Horse through the difficult course, without much success. However, she did enjoy the experience, and had a wonderful time just being in the game.

Viewing Photographs• Look at the following photographs. Study

each carefully and decide on an idea you would like to express about the photograph in a descriptive paragraph. Notice all the details in the picture. The details will help you form a conclusion. The conclusion you have formed is a main idea, in this case a dominant impression. It is a suitable topic sentence for a paragraph.

Topic Sentences• Picture #1:

• Picture #2:

• Picture #3:

Making Writing Coherent

What’s Coming Up?

• Working on Coherence in writing.

• Quiz on Vocabulary coming up soon.

Any questions??