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FOUNDATIONAL WRITING SKILLS

The Tangible Skills Your Student will Learn

  • Hook

  • Topic Sentence

  • Thesis Statement

  • Organization

  • Intro Paragraph

  • Body Paragraph

  • Conclusion

  • Supporting Details

  • Transitions

  • Tone

  • Using higher vocabulary words

  • Using varied language

  • Knowing how to break down a prompt

FAQ

Have Additional Questions?

I've got the answers. Take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions. If I didn't answer your question below, please email me directly.

  • What is expository writing?
    EXPOSITORY writing explains about a topic in a clear and focused manner. It gives information and is sometimes fully objective, but in some cases has room for opinion. For example, an expository essay prompt might be, "Explain to the reader of your paper why dogs are a popular pet for people to have." The writer may choose to include things such as how dogs lift people's spirits, how they provide protection for people, and fun activities people engage in with their dogs. Regardless of whether or not the writer likes having a dog for a pet, he/she will still be able to explain why dogs are a popular choice of pet. With this prompt, the writer may convey his/her fondness for having a dog depending on the direction from the teacher. Another prompt may be, "Write a 1-to-2-page paper about the importance of bees to our environment." The writer might explain, in an objective and factual manner, about how bees pollinate and the extent to which they pollinate.
  • What is persuasive writing?
    PERSUASIVE writing persuades or convinces someone of something. It might lead someone to a new way of thinking or to consider things from an ethical or moral standpoint. For example, a persuasive essay writing prompt might be, "Write a letter to your principal persuading her to require a uniform policy." The writer will use persuasive language and techniques to try and change the principal's way of thinking, perhaps causing the principal to consider things she has not considered before. The writer would appeal to the principal's sense of emotion and logic and may include data and statistics to help prove a logical standpoint. Persuasive writing skills are particularly important to have in high school assignments and life beyond high school when you need to persuade your boss of something through email, argue a valid point in a college paper, or write a governmental official a letter sharing your staunch belief in a social issue that needs to be addressed.
  • What are foundational writing skills, you may ask?
    Hook Topic Sentence Thesis Statement Organization Intro Paragraph Body Paragraph Conclusions Supporting Details Transitions Tone Using higher vocabulary words Not repeating words Knowing how to break down a prompt
  • What is a 5-paragraph essay?
    A 5-paragraph essay is an excellent format for a student to learn and master foundational writing skills. 5 paragraphs allows for an intro paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. A 5-paragraph essay gives the student an opportunity to practice writing an intro paragraph, 3 opportunities to practice writing body paragraphs with supporting details, and an opportunity to practice a conclusion. Writing a 4-paragraph essay, (with 2 body paragraphs), can be effective as well.
  • What is the best way to contact Kristen?
    Email is a great way to reach me - kristenmaskerwriting@gmail.com
  • What is your refund policy?
    You may request, via email, a refund within 24 hours of purchase. Please include your reason for needing to cancel. I will issues you a refund.
  • What if my child has advanced skills and, while I want to enroll him in a course, I want him to be challenged at or above his current level?
    Sign him up for a class with me in the Cultivation Corner! He can choose one of the essay prompts offered in the courses, and I can work with him at an advanced pace.
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