Writing Essays
Once you finish prewriting, you are ready to present your poll results in writing. These activities will help you hook the reader's interest at the beginning, explain important information in the middle, and end with a strong final point. You'll also read another student's essay to see how all of the parts came together.
Writing the Beginning Paragraph
In the beginning paragraph, the first sentence is called the lead sentence. The lead should get the reader’s interest about the topic of the essay. The last sentence is the focus statement, which names the main idea of the essay. Any sentences in between give details about the topic.
Write a lead sentence.
Follow the directions below to write two different lead sentences. Then choose the one you like best for your essay.
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Say something interesting about the topic.
Ocean mammals are big and small.
- Ask a question about the topic.
What ocean mammal is your favorite?
Write the focus statement.
State the specific topic of the poll and the main point learned from the answers.
Third graders in Cooper School studied ocean mammals (topic), and they like whales and dolphins the best (main point).
Teaching Tip
Inform students that they may have to write two or three versions of their focus statement. Give them this example focus statement for the “favorite subject” poll: Ms. Larson’s third grade students chose their favorite subject, and science received the most votes.
Write the beginning paragraph.
Write your complete beginning paragraph. Start with your lead sentence, follow with one or two detail sentences, and end with your focus statement. (See “Summer Is the Best!” for an example.)
Lead Sentence:
Detail Sentences:
Focus Statement:
Teaching Tip
Detail sentences serve as a bridge between the lead and focus statement. In the beginning paragraph of "Mammals in the Deep Ocean" (see below), the detail sentence is There are huge whales and small porpoises. Some beginning paragraphs require more than one detail sentence, and some require none at all.
Writing the Middle Paragraphs
The middle paragraphs should discuss the answers to the poll question. The first of these paragraphs should give background information. It should state . . .
- how many students answered the question,
- what school they are from, and
- who compiled the results.
Each of the next paragraphs should focus on the different answers.
Develop the middle part of your essay.
Write your middle paragraphs. Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template.
Middle Paragraph 1
Background Information
Middle Paragraph 2
Most Popular Answers
Middle Paragraph 3
Second Most Popular Answers
Middle Paragraph 4
Third/Fourth Most Popular Answers
Teaching Tip
Have students arrange their paragraphs according to the number of votes each subject received, starting with the most popular one. Subjects that received just a vote or two can be combined in the same paragraph.
Writing the Ending Paragraph
The last paragraph should restate the focus of your essay. It can also give a final thought about the topic.
There are so many ocean mammals. For students in our school, whales and dolphins are the big favorites (restate the focus). But they all are fun to learn about (final thought).
End your essay.
Write the ending paragraph for your essay. Use the ending above as a guide.
Restated Focus:
Final Thought:
Adding a Title
A strong title makes the reader want to read your essay. It usually says something interesting about the topic.
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Mammals in the Deep Ocean
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Super Saltwater Animals
Create a title.
Write two or three titles for your essay. Then choose the one you like the best.
Reading a Sample Draft
Read an essay.
As you read this draft, notice how the writer put the parts together.
Listen to “Mammals in the Deep Ocean”
Hide audio
Mammals in the Deep Ocean
Lead Ocean mammals are big and small. There are huge whales and small sea otters. Third graders in Cooper School studied ocean Focus Statement mammals, and they like whales and dolphins the best.
Thirty-five third graders in the school answered two questions. What is your favorite ocean mammal? Why? Ms. Jordan’s class collected and posted the results.
Middle Paragraphs Thirteen third graders like whales the best. Seven students like them because they are so big. One student said that the blue whale is the heaviest mammal ever. Five students like whales because they leap out of the water, and one student likes them because they can dive so deep.
Dolphins are the favorite of 12 third graders. Nine students like them because dolphins like to play. Two students say they are so smart, and one student likes to see them swim.
Six students like seals the best. Four students think they are funny when they bark and flop around. One student thinks the pups are really cute, and another student likes to watch them swim in the zoo.
Sea otters were selected by four third graders. They like them because they are goofy. They crack oysters open on rocks on their bellies! One student likes walruses because they are so funny looking.
Ending Paragraph There are so many ocean mammals. For students in our school, whales and dolphins are the big favorites. But they all are fun to learn about.