4 + D

___________________________ ___________________________

•__________________________ •__________________________

___________________________ ___________________________

•__________________________ ___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

5
 4 + D + T + V
Full Version for Performance Events/5-Paragraph Essays

___________ Words: ___________ Words:

___________ Detail # ____:
____________________ Details:
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
___________ Detail # ____:
____________________ Details:
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*

_________________ __________:

___________ Words: ___________ Words:

___________ Detail # ____: ______________ _____________:
____________________ Details: ____________________________
___________________________ ____________________________
•______________________* ____________________________
___________________________ ____________________________
•______________________* ____________________________
___________________________ ____________________________
•______________________* ____________________________

* = _________________and/or ____________ language

6
 Using Transitions and Vivid Language

In a performance event or essay, it is important to use complex sentences with

______________ _________________ within and between paragraphs. Students
need to practice using transitions. Below are lists of transition words that can be
used in each square of the Four Square model.

One reason Second

First Another reason
For example Another example
One example Also
To begin As well as
To start Too
In addition
Additionally

Third Finally
Another reason In short
Another example As one can see
Also So you can see
As well as Hence
Too Therefore
In addition
Additionally

Another requirement in good writing is the use of precise and vivid language. Too
often, our students are __________ and do not describe the contents of their
answers well enough for a grader to accurately determine their meaning.

______________ language includes using nouns instead of pronouns,

and specific examples instead of generalities.

______________ language uses words that give the reader a clear

mental image of what the writer is describing.

7
 4 + D + T + V
_________________
__________________________
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
_________________
__________________________
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
_________________
__________________________
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
___________________________
•______________________*
_________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
* = precise and/or vivid language
9
 4 for Different Types of Writing in the Content Areas

Expository (Explanation) Narrative

Reason 1 Reason 2 Before event During event
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
•_______________ •_______________ •_______________ •_______________
•_______________ •_______________ •_______________ •_______________
•_______________ •_______________ •_______________ •_______________
Item(s) to be explained. 5 Ws: Who, what, where, when, why?
Reason 3 After event
___________ ________________ ___________ ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
•_______________ ________________ •_______________ ________________

•_______________ ________________ •_______________ ________________

________________ ________________
•_______________ •_______________
Wrap-up Wrap-up

Persuasive Compare/Contrast
Advantage 1 Advantage 2 1 way they’re 2nd way they’re
___________ ___________ same or different
___________ same or different
___________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
•_______________ •_______________ •_______________ •_______________
•_______________ •_______________ •_______________ •_______________
•_______________ •_______________ •_______________ •_______________
Idea of which you want to convince the reader. Two or more things to compare/contrast.
Advantage 3 3rd way they’re
___________ ________________ ___________
same or different ________________
________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
•_______________ ________________ •_______________ ________________

•_______________ ________________ •_______________ ________________

________________ ________________
•_______________ •_______________
Wrap-up Wrap-up

10