Writing and

Literary
Analysis
By Mrs. Stark
(Everybody should be taking notes)

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Standards and Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and
drawing inferences from the text.
• RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the
text
• CCRA.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and
information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis
of content.
• Objectives; Students will be able to…
• Read a book by Roald Dahl, discuss their thoughts with others reading the same book, and
take notes to remember key ideas
• Write a book report
• Group like ideas in paragraphs, creating an introduction and conclusion
• Use transitional phrases
• Practice paragraph organization
• Answer questions about the text and come up with the theme.
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Writing Paragraphs
1. Topic sentence: Tells your reader what your
paragraph is going to be about.
2. Detail sentences: Supports your topic
sentence.
• Gives examples
• Explains your thinking
• Should be about 3-5 sentences
3. Concluding statement
• Wraps up your paragraph
• Restate the topic sentence, review main
points, or give a final thought
• Do not introduce new ideas (Grant)

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Organizing Paragraphs
1. Introduction Paragraph
• Attention-getter
• What are the key points you will go over?
• Ends with thesis statement—what is your essay about?
2. Body Paragraphs
• Each should have it’s own topic
• Supports your introduction and thesis
• Put in an order that makes sense
• Don’t write about the end of the story before the beginning and middle, etc.
3. Conclusion Paragraph
• Remind your readers of your key points—summarize!
• Leave your readers with something to think about
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Transition Words and Phrases
• Writing flows nicely from one idea to another
• Always followed by a comma
• Time & Sequence transitions
• First, Initially, For one thing, Next, Afterward, Occasionally, Before, Meanwhile, Later
• Comparison transitions
• However, And yet, Likewise, On the contrary, On one hand/on the other hand, Similarly, In contrast
• Giving Examples & Details transitions
• For example, In fact, For instance, Specifically, In particular, To illustrate my point
• Concluding transitions
• All in all, In conclusion, Clearly, Finally, To summarize, As you can see, To sum it up
• Many more ideas on K12 Reader and Weebly (links at the end)

(Smith) (Transition Words and Phrases - Lists and Worksheets - K12reader)

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Reading Analysis
• Read with intent and take notes
• What is the setting?
• Who are the main characters?
• What is the main idea of this text?
• What stood out to you?
• How do you know?
• Use summarized examples from the book
• Use direct quotes as evidence
• Make sure to use quotation marks!

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Summary
• Every paragraph needs a topic sentence, details, examples, and a
concluding sentence.
• Your essay should have paragraphs in order of:
1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraphs—each with it’s own topic
3. Conclusion
• Transition words must be used to make your writing flow nicely
• Pay attention to important information (and take notes on it) in the
books you read

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Book Report
• Use these methods to help you write a splendiferous report!
• We’re celebrating author Roald Dahl’s birthday this month
• You may pick from the following books for your book report:
• The BFG
• Matilda
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• James and the Giant Peach
• The Witches
• Due September 28th

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 Works Cited
• Grant, Marquis. “Concluding Sentence: Definition, Examples &
Starters.” Study.com, Working Scholars, 2018,
study.com/academy/lesson/concluding-sentence-definition-
examples-starters.html.
• “Transition Words and Phrases - Lists and Worksheets - K12reader.”
K12 Reader, www.k12reader.com/subject/composition/transition-
words/.
• Smith, Audrey. “Transition Words and Phrases.” East Jackson 4th
Grade, eastjackson4thgrade.weebly.com/transition-words-and-
phrases.html.
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