Using 4-square organizational pattern to show students how to create the body of a 5-paragraph essay. Prompt: Which region of the United States would you rather live in?

1. Four-Square Method Gayla S. Keesee Education Specialist Mack Gipson, Jr. Tutorial and Enrichment Center rev. 8/2006 Which region of the United States would you rather live in?

2. To begin… Fold your paper into four squares. Darken in the lines. Write your basic thesis statement above the line in the middle to remind you of what you will be proving.

4. Paint a picture with words Dog Level Poodle Level Fifi Level

5. I prefer to live in the South. Now we have to answer the question—Why? Provide reasons , examples , incidents , facts/statistics to support our thesis. Animal level

7. History Food Southern Hospitality Basic Thesis Statement ( because ) + the three reasons, examples, facts, or incidents in Box 1 of each section I prefer living in the South because of the food, history, and Southern hospitality. I prefer to live in the South. Dog Level

14. Transition words and expressions help connect ideas within and between paragraphs. They do this by showing relationships , such as addition or contrast or result Teacher : Your paper doesn’t show a smooth flow of thoughts. You need to add transitions between ideas and paragraphs. Student : I have no idea what a transition is. What are some words that I can use to make my paper flow?