4th grade Instructional Guide

"Four Square" Writing Overview Youcaneasilywriteproperlystructuredparagraphswithatopicsentenceandconclusionusingasimplegraphicorganizer–"thefour-square." With further practice, you will learn to write well-developed compositions of fve or more paragraphs, complete with introductory and concluding paragraphs. Step 1: Write your topic sentence based on your writing prompt or topic. Divide an entire piece of notebook paper into equal quarters, leaving a large rectangle in the center (as illustrated below.) Once you have formulated your position into a topic sentence (2-3) or thesis statement (4-5), write your Main Idea or Topic Sentence in Box 1 .

The main idea (topic sentence) is placed in the center box of the four square (box 1). Boxes 2, 3, and 4 are used for supporting ideas. The lower right box (box 5) is used to build a summary or concluding sentence. This "wrap-up" sentence encompasses all the ideas developed in the four-square, and is the basis of developing good introductory and concluding paragraphs in the essay. Step 2: Write three supporting ideas (reasons, details or facts)- Once you've written your topic or prompt in Box 1, BRAINSTORM three supporting ideas (Write these in Boxes 2, 3 and 4.) Now the center box will contain a complete sentence (topic sentence based on your prompt), and boxes 2, 3, and 4 will contain supporting ideas (reasons, details or facts) that prove or support box 1. These ideas must be all different from one another, real, and not simple opinions. Step 3: 4 Square + 3E: Adding more Evidence- Now these "supporting ideas" (evidence, examples, or explanations) need further development by adding supporting evidence in boxes 2, 3, and 4. Adding examples and explanations can be diffcult since you may not be accustomed to citing. You will be challenged to look for evidence and cite. At this time it is important to remember that there may not be a repetition anywhere on the four-square. Step 4: 4 Square + 3E+ T: Adding Transitional words to provide transition between thoughts- By now you are developing your thesis statement (box 1) into three reasons, details or facts and supporting evidence and examples (boxes 2, 3, and 4). Transition words are now needed to provide smooth transitions and reading between what will eventually become paragraph(s). Step 5: 4 Square + 3E+ T + P: Incorporating Precise language into writing- This step helps you develop personal writing style by using carefully chosen precise words to provide sensory details and imagery for the reader. Your goal is to show the reader, not to just tell the reader. You can list several words under each supporting idea in the organizer and later decide which ones to use. Addition of precise language furthers elaboration and enhances maturity of writing. Building these descriptions prepares the writer for longer and more complex compositions. Step6: Addaconcludingstatement- write a concluding sentence in Box #5. The concluding ties all the parts together, reminds the reader of the topic and purpose for the paragraph and refects the topic sentence.