Power Writing

What is it? &

How do we do it?

What is Power Writing? Power writing is a method of writing designed

to improve student's writing through a three step process.

The beginning step teaches word power, sentence power (structure) and basic paragraphs.

The middle step focuses on stronger paragraphs with elaboration.

The advanced step combines what students have learned into a multiple paragraph essay.

When can I use Power Writing?

This method of teaching writing will apply to all forms of

expository, persuasive, and personal narrative writing.

What does expository, persuasive , and personal narrative writing

mean?

Expository - An expository essay requires students to explain, interpret, or describe something based upon background

experiences or information provided in the prompt.

Persuasive - A persuasive essay requires students to take a position on a subject and develop one side of an argument. The

student's goal is to persuade the reader to have the same belief or share the same opinion.

Personal Narrative - An essay where students tell a story from an event in their own lives or an observed event.

What is a Prompt?A prompt is the general topic of your writing

assignment.

Example Prompt for a persuasive essay:

The United States has had television for many years. There are those political leaders who want to remove

televisions from every home in the country. You have a chance to try and persuade your representative to fight

against this movement. Write a paragraph persuading your elected official to either support or fight against it. Use

specific details to support your view.

Power Writing Terms:Signal Words - words that lead off power two

sentences such as first, above all, most importantly, etc...

Conclusion Signal - words that lead off the conclusion paragraph such as to conclude, in

the final analysis, to summarize, etc...

Lead & Hook - the opening sentence or two in your theme in which you catch your reader's

interest and introduce your topic.

Sample Lead & Hook• A lead or hook is the opening sentence or two in your theme in

which you catch your reader's interest and introduce your topic. Here are a few student samples:

• What is the impact on the environment from that 99 cent taco?• Crash! That is the sound of a tree being cut down and a world

changing.• Our environment is like a very delicate baby that only we can

help.• What does it mean to live in peace with the environment?• Protecting our environment is as important as going to school or

to the doctor.

What do Power 1, Power 2, and Power 3 mean?

Power 1 - Power one is red in color and it signifies the main idea or theme of the paper.

Power 2 - Power two is blue and it represents general supporting details to the main idea of the essay.

Power 3 - Power three is green and it elaborates even more specifically about the supporting details of the

essay.

Sample Power Paragraph!• Give up television for the next twelve years?! Although potentially viewed

as radical move, our government should remove all televisions and television programming from American homes to increase productivity and reduce developmental brain disorders. To begin with, television is a huge waste of time for most people. Every night, millions of viewers sit down to several hours of murders, sit-coms, and infomercials. Spending too many hours watching television, consumes the precious time that can rather be spent in fruitful and healthy activities like exercise or reading. It also uses up time that can be spent with family and friends. Imagine the increase in productivity were we to be active those hours! Furthermore, some researchers claim that the attention deficit disorders in children are a result of watching television. They say that watching television leads to a developmental disorder in the part of the brain, which is responsible for language skills. Children, who watch television and read less, show difficulties in paying attention or concentrating when not watching television. If only the American government would ban televisions from its homes, we could potentially increase productivity and reduce children’s potential to develop brain disorders.

The End of Power Paragraph Introduction!