Harrison Bergeron-Day 5 Body Paragraphs

After completing introduction writing I have students dive into their body paragraphs.

Below are the steps for the body paragraphs of the writing portion of "Harrison Bergeron" in the 8th grade on a 45 minute class schedule. This is Day 5 of the unit. Take it, adapt it, and tweak it for your needs.

When introducing how to write an argumentative essay I break up the easy in a series of days, as well as break up the pre-writing. 

• After having student complete an introduction with a solid thesis (click to see introduction activity), I ask that the students rewrite their thesis on a new page in their interactive notebooks. 
• Then instruct them to highlight reason 1 and reason 2 in their thesis. 

• Hand out copies of Harrison Bergeron while students complete the above activity. 

• Instruct students to find at least one piece of evidence from the story for to support each reason in their thesis. 
• Allow at least 5 minutes. 
• If students struggle, refer back to the discussion and how they provided evidence in the discussion from Day 2. This usually helps light the bulb. 

• Once students have completed above, review the parts of a paragraph.

 I use the following visual throughout my review and to help students when they are stuck, or need help using the correct term. I am huge believer in using proper terminology when discussing parts of the paragraph and often refer students back to the visual when they need to explain or ask for help on a sentence.

• After the students review, hand out sentence starters.
  
•  I have students cut and glue these into their interactive notebooks. 
  
  
  
  
• Explain the Topic Sentence and how to formulate it.
• Instruct students to take reason 1 from their thesis. 
• Have at least two students share their Topic Sentence with the class. 

• Then, instruct students to reference their pre-write from today. 
• Ask where they believe they will put the evidence to support their reason. 
• Students should respond with "concrete detail" 
• 
  
• Select one student to explain the two types of concrete details. 
• They should give an explanation for a direct quote and paraphrasing. 

• Have students write their concert detail. 
• Ask a student to identify the Evidence Based Terminology in their Concrete Detail. 
• Have at least two students share their Concrete Detail. Make sure they identify to the class which type they used. Either a direct quote or a paraphrase. 
• Ask a student what comes after a concrete detail. They should answer commentary. 
• Explain that commentary is their opinion. It has to help explain and add to the Concrete Detail they provided. 
• Have at least two students share their body paragraph. 
• Repeat the above steps for the second body paragraph. 
• Once compete, have students re-copy paragraphs below handout and identify the parts using the following for homework:
• Circle Topic Sentence
• Underline Concrete Detail 
• Highlight Commentary 
  

Your students writing skill level will determine how many days this takes. Do NOT rush it. 

I had two classes finish this activity in one class period and two that needed an additional day. 

If you have advanced writers, allow them work ahead and not have to use the sentence starters.