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Power Writing Paragraphs:
Scaffolding Complexity

power writing icon.JPG
Power Writing is a structured way to teach paragraph writing to students from I would say grade 4-12. I used the idea of powergraphs when I wrote my Master's paper and my highest mark was organization.

The idea is that each sentence in a paragraph has a job to do and that job is shown by a power or number:
Power writing overview.JPG
"Powergraphs" can be simple or complex, which makes them ideal to scaffold learning by starting simple and adding complexity.

The paragraphs below start simple with a topic and two main ideas (1-2-2-1) and increase the complexity by adding a new type of sentence each time:

1-2-3-2-3-1--adding the 3rd power (tell me more) to each main idea
1-2-3-4-2-3-4-1--adding the 4th power (give an example) to each main idea
1-2-3-4-5-2-3-4-5-1--adding the 5th power (what does it show or connect to paragraph topic) to each main idea
Power writing.JPG
I teach to the 4th power in grade 6 and the 5th power in grade 7. After that, complexity is added by more complex content and sentence structure.

These paragraphs also tend to evolve quite naturally into essays.

I find it helps if students color code the sentence powers--it makes it easy to see their introductory/concluding sentences, main ideas, explanation, supporting details and interpretation sentences. 
Powerwriting template.JPG
There are a couple of ways students can write these paragraphs:

1. Follow the 1-2-3-4... format where they write the sentences in order based on what is needed next

2. Expand their ideas by starting with a 1-2-2-1 paragraph, then add 3rd powers, then 4th powers (like the paragraphs about desserts)

3. Plan their ideas using the format before they write--see plan below:
powerwriting plan.JPG
Powergraphs are highly structured and can be limiting at first. I find once students master the idea of talking about one main idea at a time, explaining it, giving an example and interpreting it, they are ready to be more creative. This structure is a start--the next steps are to add a "hook" sentence, etc., especially if it is going to evolve into an essay.
powerwriting explanation paragraph.JPG
Students also like to use different fonts to show the different powers:
powerwriting font.JPG
I hope you've gotten some ideas from these resources! Please contact me if you have questions, ideas or want to share your resources! See below for a link to my Power Writing Google Folder.
These resources have been developed by me, Shelly Cloke, based on an idea that was shared with me back in 1995 so it's been a challenge of who to credit with the idea. I did find one source that uses this idea (https://comprehensibleclassroom.com/2011/09/22/power-writing): but no indication as to the creator. I am grateful for their idea, because I've been able to develop a structured approach to paragraph writing from it.
One day I will clean up these resources and put it on Teachers Pay Teachers but until then, it is free :)
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