The Greatest Parent/Guardian



For Paragraphs a Week this week you will be writing and essay to the Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah is having a contest on who is "The World's Greatest Parent/Guardian." The winner of this essay will win a free trip to Disneyland. In this essay, you will write about one of your parents or guardians and how they are the "World's Greatest." This essay will consist of two paragraphs. Remember you can only choose ONE of your parents or guardians.

In your first paragraph you will give some pertinent biographical information on your "World's Greatest." Some ideas include: Full Name, Age, Occupation, Family, and Education. This paragraph is too let the judges get a feel for what your "World Greatest" is like. Remember give the important facts!!

Your second paragraph will be the "why" paragraph. In this paragraph you will explain why your "World's Greatest" is the World's Greatest. Include: Why are they so important you? What do you want the rest of the world to know about them? What do they do to make them so wonderful? Why does this person deserve this special award?

Since you are working with two different topics make sure you use a smooth transition statement between the paragraphs. Concentrate on having a good beginning that attracts the readers right away. Also, make sure you ending sentence is eye catching. You do not want the judges to forget about your "World's Greatest!" You want to win the trip to Disneyland!

On the back of this sheet, brainstorm ideas for the second paragraph. You might also have to ask for help with the first paragraph, which is fine. I advise you to ask your parents questions you would like to use in your paragraph.

MAKE SURE:

____1. 5-8 sentences in each paragraph
____2. Each paragraph has an opening and closing
____3. Good transition step between the paragraphs
____4. All information is true
____5. Everything is spelled and punctuated correctly
____6. Focus on the five areas of GOOD WRITING especially IDEAS
____7. Clearly reworked rough draft
____8. Signature of adult who helped you proofread your work for content and PRESENTATION
____9. All three papers stapled together with final on top

submitted by Jennie S.



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