Tip #156 from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKinley, Trombly) - The Basic Report Format


Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.

 

#156

The Basic Report Format

 

If you have other things in your life - family, friends, good productive day work—

then these can interact with your writing and the sum will be all the richer.

~ David Brin

 

            In upper elementary, children are often asked to write a small report, sometimes called a 5-Paragraph Essay. Even if it is not called this exactly, if specific instructions are not given, this is a good place to start. In this essay or report, there is a beginning, three supporting paragraphs, and an ending. Here are the basics of a 5-Paragraph Essay:

 

Paragraph 1: Introduction: This usually contains a hook at the beginning (something catchy to grab the reader’s attention), some background information about the topic, and then a thesis at the end. (A Thesis is a sentence that tells what the main idea of the report is.)

 

Paragraph 2: One support for the thesis: It usually begins with a topic sentence that explains what this paragraph is about. The rest of the sentences are details to support it.

 

Paragraph 3: Another support for the thesis: It usually begins with a topic sentence that explains what this paragraph is about. The rest of the sentences are details to support it.

 

Paragraph 4: A third support for the thesis: It usually begins with a topic sentence that explains what this paragraph is about. The rest of the sentences are details to support it.

 

Paragraph 5: The Conclusion: Usually one begins the conclusion by restating the thesis. Next, she reminds the readers of important facts she wrote about. Last is a strong ending, something powerful or interesting.

 

            Of course, most teachers give out detailed instructions when it comes to report writing. But if the details are ever less than ideal, this is a good format to use.

 

See our website for more on Hooks, Thesis Statements, Topic Sentences, and Endings

 

                                             


     Cindy McKinley Alder                                            Patti Trombly

 

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