SALTA 5th grade

"Four Square" Writing Overview

You can easily write properly structured paragraphs with a topic sentence and conclusion using a simple graphic organizer – "the four-square." With further practice, you will learn to write well-developed compositions of five 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 difficult 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.