Two Bad Ants

Writing Process - Description

A descriptive paragraph describes a person, place, or thing. A good descriptive paragraph uses words the help the readers to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel the subject the writer has written about. It paints a visual picture in the reader's mind. Descriptive paragraphs use exact and interesting words in describing a person, a place, or a thing.

Organization of paragraph;

Topic Sentence -tells what you are going to write about in your paragraph.
3 or 4 Detail Sentences - give the reader a picture of how things looked, felt, smelled, tasted, sounded using exact and interesting words
Last sentence should be the best detail about your topic, or sum up all of the paragraph.

Prewriting

Suggested topics for descriptive paragraph;

	Write a character sketch about one of the 'Bad" ants, include his family, and what kind of character traits he has based upon what he did in the story.
	Draw a cartoon of the two ants back at the ant hill after their adventure. Have them talking to each other about what happened to them using dialog balloons.
	Think of an everyday object, like your shoe, and write a description of it as if you were describing it to a person who was blind, or an alien from another planet. Focus on certain features of that object and how you would use it. Put in as many details as you can.

Drafting - 1st copy

Write your first draft. Start with one thing/detail and describe using as exact a choice of words as you can. Moving on to the next area or part to write about. Write quickly just to get all your ideas down on paper. This is your sloppy copy - it's where a good paper begins.

Revising - 2nd copy

As you look over your paragraph, ask yourself if you get a clear picture of the subject you wrote about. Exchange your paper with a friend and read each other's paragraph. Can you think of something you can suggest your friend adds to their paragraph to make it a better paragraph?

	Does it create a clear picture in your mind?
	Can you close your eyes and see the object or person?
	What else could be included?
	Have I used exact words and is it interesting?
	Is one word used too many times?

Proofreading -3rd copy

Check your paper again for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Be sure you have organized the paragraph: topic, details, and closing. Rewrite again, and exchange papers again, and have someone else read your paragraph to see if they find something you missed in proofreading. We expect to find mistakes; that's why you proofread.

Use the Grammar Checklist when proofreading

Publishing

This is where it is important for you to do your very best in presenting your final copy of your paragraph to share with your classmates.

	Your best penmanship or typing
	Shouldn't be any mistakes or errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or grammar
	Should show organization; topic sentence, 3 to 4 detail sentences, and a closing sentence that presents the best or summarizes the paragraph
	Written within the margins on the paper
	Has an interesting title and your name

Rubric For Descriptive Paragraph
4 Advanced	The writer has vividly painted in words a character or object using a range of sensory details. Information may include facts, background, time, feelings, actions, reflect details using the senses; see, feel, touch, taste, and hear. The organization is well developed. Meets Grammar Checklist
3 Proficient	The writer has successfully described and character or object using more than one type of sensory detail. Organization of paragraph is evident. Meets almost all of the Grammar Checklist
2 Basic	The writer describes a character or object. There is a little detail but not well developed. Organization isn't strong and there is a need for better proofreading.
1 Minimal	The writer has attempted to write a descriptive paragraph but the information is incomplete or unclear. Lacks organization and includes many grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes for a final draft.

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