Fundamentals and Proficiency in Paragraph Writing: Star Writing Resources
Available on CD or Flash Drive

This software program contains lessons that build a paragraph from start to finish. Students begin by learning how to write several types of Topic Sentences. Next, they learn how to plan a paragraph using a digital Paragraph Diagram. Then they learn to create Detail Sentences, and finally they learn to write Clincher Sentences. At the end of the last lesson, they create whole paragraphs. In each lesson, they see example sentences and paragraphs. They watch students demonstrate how to write and then they practice writing key sentences and paragraphs. The interactive multimedia program has narration and activities built within a space odyssey plot. Students can print out notes and handouts throughout the program if their computer is connected to a printer. Teachers score and provide feedback for student practice attempts. Folders of printable materials and an instructor’s guide are also included

VIDEO

• Exploring Paragraph Writing Star Writer Program and PD Activities - Atallah, Schumaker  ppt (long)  ppt (short)

PPTs

• Star Writer: Fundamentals in Paragraph Writing presentation (ppt)
• Star Writer: Proficiency in Paragraph Writing presentation (ppt)
• Star Writer Paragraph and Theme Writing Instruction

MORE

Stratenotes and Strategrams

Research Articles

• Paragraph and Theme Program Results ppt 

• The Effects of Four Multimedia Writing Strategy Programs on Secondary Students' Sentence, Paragraph, and Theme Writing (2023)

  Here are some of the key takeaways related to this article:

  • It’s the first time all three strategies have been taught to the same students by computers.

  • It’s the first time all three strategies have been taught to a large group of students in a control-group design.

  • It’s the first time we can see the results if instructional fidelity is at 100%. (The computers ensured that each student did every activity and mastered each skill.)

  • It’s the first time we have VERY large effect sizes with a large group of students.

  • The same strategies that are in the instructor’s manuals are represented in the computer programs tested in this study.

• It’s the first time we compared the results of our programs to normative data on the paragraph-writing and theme-writing skills of students enrolled in general education English classes and AP classes across a school year.