Women in History

This week you will be including research with your writing. The month of March has been designated as "Women in History" month. Significant contributions to humankind by women are remembered. For example:

Florence Nightingale for establishing the first nursing program
Clara Barton for founding the Red Cross
Harriet Tubman for her work abolishing slavery with the Underground Railroad
Marie Curie for her work in chemistry, particulary with radioactive materials
Rosa Parks for initiating the Alabama bus boycott, thus the beginning of civil rights for African-Americans

Your first task is to select a "famous" woman. There are many more than just those listed above. Notice, too, I have placed the word famous in quotation marks. You may know of a "famous" woman that others do not.
Next research your chosen woman. Find out as much information as you can. This will make your writing assignment that much easier. Look for information in encyclopedias, trade books, publications, and on the Internet.
You will be writing two paragraphs this week. Your first paragraph will be a biographical sketch of your "famous" woman. Include pertinent information. Don't waste time reporting trivial details. Remember, too, to not plagiarize. Your main task with this paragraph is to give your reader background material about your selected woman.
Your second paragraph will be an opinion paragraph: "Why is this woman considered to be famous? Why does she deserve to be remembered/honored? Why is it important for others to know about her? Without her and her contributions what would humankind be like?"
Remember to include a strong topic sentence for your paragraphs. You are working with two topics, so your opening will need to consider both. In addition, since you are actually writing two paragraphs, you will need a transition sentence between them. This is a sentence that smoothly takes your reader from the biography to your opinion. You will also need a good concluding sentence that summarizes both paragraphs.
CHECK:

____ Did you ask an adult to proofread your work, not only for mechanics but also for ideas?
____ Did you make necessary revisions?
____ Did you have your proofreader sign your rough draft?
____ Did you write two paragraphs?
____ Is one paragraph a biography? The other an opinion?
____ Did you include a strong introductory sentence?
____ Do you have a transition sentence?
____ Do you have a concluding statement?
____ Is your final copy neat and well-written?

Return to the Paragraph a Week Index.