This document provides guidelines for writing a one paragraph description of a detective. It instructs the writer to include 5-7 sentences that describe the detective from top to bottom or left to right, including details gathered in prewriting. When revising, the writer should consider how well they have used ideas, organization, voice, word choice, and sentence fluency. They are prompted to ask questions to check if the topic sentence is clear, details are organized by location, the writing sounds interested, specific language is used, and sentences read smoothly. When editing, the writer should check for correct punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar using additional questions provided.

1. Detective Paragraph
Assignment Requirements:
Length = One paragraph (5-7 well written sentences)
Purpose = Describe your detective (left to right or top to bottom, in detail)
Traits scored = Ideas/Content, and Organization
PREWRITE: “Describe your Detective” handout with picture
FIRST DRAFT: The goal of a first draft is to get all of your ideas and details down on
paper. Follow the guidelines below:
- Start with a topic sentence that catches your reader’s interest
- Arrange the descriptive sentences in the body according to location.
Include details you gathered on your “Describe a Detective”
- End with a sentence that keeps the reader thinking about the topic
REVISING: When you revise, consider how well you’ve used ideas, organization,
voice, word choice, and sentence fluency in your first draft.
Revise your paragraph using these questions as a guide:
1. Is my topic sentence clear?
2. Have I organized the details in my paragraph using order of location?
3. Do I sound interested in the topic?
4. Do I use specific nouns, verbs, and adjectives?
5. Do I use complete sentences that read smoothly?
EDITING: When you edit, check for punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and
grammar errors. Also ask someone else to check your writing for errors.
Edit your paragraph using these questions as a guide:
Punctuation
1. Do I use end punctuation after all my sentences?
2. Do I use commas correctly?
3. Do I use apostrophes to show possession(boy’s bike)?

2. Capitalization
1. Do I start all my sentences with capital letters?
2. Do I capitalize all proper nouns?
Spelling
1. Have I spelled all my words correctly?
2. Have I double-checked words my spell checker might miss?
Grammar
1. Do I use the right word (to, too, two)?
2. Do my subjects and verbs agree in number?