My son is in jr high..and he brought his papers home yesturday and there were a-lot of marks on his papers saying in-complete on home-work because the paragraphs weren't don't when we asked him why they weren't done he claimed that he dosen't know how! I thought by now schools taught kids how to write in paragraphs?? I'm needing help with the easiest way to explain to him how to write a paragraph! and where to periods..and all that! my son is at that stage where he thinks everything is funny, and I have a hard time getting through. so please some-one help please...struggling parent...
121458
Think of a paragraph as a sandwich with different kinds of bread on each end.  If the white bread starts the paragraph, then the lettuce, bologna, tomato and wheat bread follow.  The wheat bread is different from the white bread because it is a transition to the next sandwich starting with the latter.  This idea may help him visualize the paragraph and you can even cut out papers in shapes and he can write sentences and stack them -- that might make him laugh.  A bunch of "sandwiches" can equal an essay.  Good luck.
155963
What are his interests? Find something he is interested in then go to the library and get tons of books about that. If he is young, even picture books to start out just to get him familiar and comfortable with books. When I was in the Master's program for Education at Ohio State, I tutored a 3rd grade boy who was on a Kindergarten reading level and soon he was able to read anything I gave him. It was because I made it fun, relevant to his life and interactive. Give him games to work on comprehension and let him write his own stories to read back to you. If he is not old enough to write his own, then you dictate for him, letting him write whatever he is able to and help him read it back. Just make him want to do it. This is the key to teaching anything. Try Harry Potter, most kids get into that. :)
617744
If you can't afford a tutor, see if there is a center around during the summer months that helps students with academic skills.  I'm not sure if you have them, but several bigger cities here in the states have them for free. \n\nIf those aren't feasible options, take him to the library and let him pick out a book or two a week on topics of his own choosing.  Make one a novel and one a non-fiction, poetry anthology, or drama.  If you can, read the books with him and talk to him about them.  Challenge each other to see who can read the book the fastest (but make sure he is reading for content not just skimming!).\n\nHave him write down four questions from the reading and answer them, or find the questions online at a source like sparknotes.com.  Don't let HIM use sparknotes. For instance, for a novel like The Great Gatsby, what are the major themes and images througout the book?  What do they mean?\n\nThe more he reads, the better his writing will become. The skills go hand and hand.  If he finds an author he likes, see how many books you can find by that author.  For a creative challenge, have him write a different end to the story, add on another chapter, or write out a conversation he would like to have with the character.  \n\nBe forceful but not mean.  Reward him for finishing a book and for completing a writing assignment.  Do small rewards for little goals, like cooking his favorite meal if he finishes four chapters in an 8 chapter book, and bigger rewards for bigger goals, more time on the computer or a trip somewhere.\n\nGood luck. He's at a difficult age, but young adults at this age can really astonish you sometimes with their brilliance.
473594
Take a REALLY deep breath and start asking your questions ONE AT A TIME\n\nReading through your essay makes answering you a horribly daunting task.\n\nWe WILL help but you need to take the time to ask simple, clear questions - and not jumble everything together.\n\n"......i still cant seem to get stuff freed up. plus i cant run internet on it becasue we don't have a modem internet provider and i have to have the cd for the wireless card to hook up which i dont. plus i was wondering....."  \n\nEeeeeek!\n\n\n\n\n**update**  Uzzfluz, not all older PC's can drive XP I'm afraid, though I would be surprised if Windows 98se wouldn't be managable. He could even use his usb ports then too :)
496512
Go read the book, you can not get full marks with answers on Yahoo .... hahahaaaaaaa your teacher might answer the question while you do not know , until you find a big ZERO on your paperwork .... reason COPY & PASTE
134535
Honestly hon, I don't think you writing all the time is a bad thing - from the age of 7 until I had my first child at 19, that's basically all I did, but it wasn't because I was misserable. I wrote in my spare time - after school, sometimes before school. If what you have is an addiction, I wonder what professional writters have LOL - If you're that concerned about it, I would try to set a limit as to how much you allow yourself to write each day. Don't stop doing something you love!!!
89026
These guys can help or at least point you in the right direction: www.wordtechs.com. They were lots of help to me, polished many a paper and they help with all kinds of writing. They provided me with a one-on-one writing coach that I communicated with over the phone and email. I'm really feeling good about my writing now and have some up for publishing. Also, only a few dollars and quick turn-around.\n\nGood luck!\n~Tia~
367740
This is what I do when I'm in your situation:\nFirst of all.. you've started! Congrats. That's 3 less pages you have to do tonight!\nSecondly.. It won't be a crappy paper if you just sit down, say to yourself, Focus and Concentrate for a few hours and get it done! Remember, this is One night you might have to stay up pretty late just so you can get the 10 extra points and a good grade, as well as maintain your already good grade! I say go for it. I'm sure there has been many times you've stayed up late/pulled an all-nighter partying.. (which in anyones defense is a lot easier, laid-back and funner).. but you need this! Go For It! You will thank yourself in the end!! I promise.. --so long as you write it to the best of your ability.. also, if in the end you just aren't pleased with it, don't hand it in! Work on it some more and improve it and you will still get a good grade and be proud of your work! Good Luck!
442272
yes. You should help him with his cursive handwriting!! It never hurts to educate a child. Just make sure that you are very patient with him and help him to understand that it is okay to make mistakes. It's a good thing to want to do things correctly and to want to do things the "right" way but he seems to have a little bit of a perfectionist attitude. Reassure him that you have confidence in his abilities and that with a little hard work and determination he will learn how to do it.   Tips: Buy a cursive training mat that he can practice on. I think you can buy them at Wal Mart or at a large bookstore like Coles or Chapters/Indigo....or try online. They are very helpful and the best part is that kids can use washable markers and can trace the letters or write side by side with already written cursive letters. Practice with him. Make up a story together about something that interests him. Have him print it, and then have him write it out in cursive the second time. Be sure to be helpful, but let him make mistakes and find them on his own. Hope this helps!
269966
I think Yahoo! Answers is accidentally creating a new generation of lazy kids. It seems that they would rather play video games or text message their friends than write their term papers. However, I think it is good if someone needs something explained to them but I don't think the answers should just be given to them. These kids need to learn.
419856
First of all , I think they need a letter from your parents, not you . And if you are a sophomore in High School , getting some grammar help might be in order (wut,gonna, no punctuation)\n\nThere doesn't have to be much else but the dates that you will be gone. Short and sweet. You may want to inquire about what you need to do in order to stay current with your classes, ie. homework or work you can do ahead of time.
57800
I write too, but anyway, it depends on the age of the group. If the writers are still in elementary school, then really showing how to write paragraphs can be very helpful. For older people, perhaps try showing them how to use better language. For exapmle, if a sentence reads, "The army burned the city after a short fight," you could use better language to turn that into, "The large military force marched to the city, and after quickly disbanding all of the enemy troops, they razed the city to the ground." So, focusing on the most descriptive words you can come up with, and making sure to vary your words (nouns/pronouns, etc.). Hope that helps, and good luck.
534763
You are a great older sibling to want to help your little brother, but I am glad you are not helping him yourself if this is an example of your own writing skills. :o)\n\nSince he is in 8th grade, writing a response to a book is pretty simple.  He should include:\n\nTitle\nAuthor\nIf he liked or disliked the story and why\nTheme\nSummary of Plot\nCharacterization\nSetting (place, time, weather, etc.)\nUse of symbolism, metaphor, similes, etc.\nand:\nAnything that stood out to him personally and meant something. This might be a character, event, symbol, or anything.\n\nA paragraph on each of those that shows he read and understood the material and aspects of the book will be a good start.  He should use proper grammar, and paragraph structure.\n\nIf you would like someone to tutor him by e-mail, you can e-mail his work to me and I will make editting remarks and suggestions. My rule is that he do what he can first.... do his best... get SOMETHING on paper.... and then we can talk.\n\nI homeschooled my children and know how to gradually improve writing skills.  If he listens and applies what I tell him, his writing and English skills will begin to improve pretty quickly.  But all things do take some time.\n\nI have a BA in Romance Languages (emphasis in Spanish), and a minor in Language Arts..... so I think I can handle 8th grade book reports.  :o)\n\nBest Wishes,\n\nSue
21098
Just write.  Even if you don't know what to do with it yet, just keep writing and save it all for when you are older to be able to do something with it.\n\nBut in your school, see if there is a school newspaper or a school yearbook and try to get on the committee that puts it together.  Those are both forms of media and will help you when needing to know the workings of a newspaper.  \n\nYou also have to train yourself to work by a deadline.  Is your homework late? are you always late to get to things?  If so, then you would never be able to get things in on time with a boss breathing down your neck.\n\nA good suggestion I have for you so you can perfect it in the years ahead?  Don't take things personal.  When you pour your heart and soul into a great article and find it in print but chopped all to hell with half your main idea missing because of the word EDITING courtesy of the editor, don't take it to heart.  It pissed me off to no end but I finally came to grips with the fact that not every paper has all the space for your heart and soul writings :)
63476
Hmm not sure but how old is your daughter?  I would think trying to make a sentence that loops around itself and makes sense is abit much for someone that is still using "spelling words".  Could be wrong though as basing it on my own education where we had a tin of words to practice in infants school :o)\n\nSure it doesn't just mean a full sentence?  Like string a sentence together?
54156
dear tia-alld,  The blame is to be put any where. You son may have a disability such as ADD, ADHD or most likely Dyslexia.  Dyslexia as many forms, and just recently a co-worker and I came across the same thing. Out of all the dyslexia cases on file, only one out of every two to three thousand people end up with this condition.  In the school setting ask the teachers to try using different color chalks, or putting homework on color paper.  The condition is referred to as "black on white". and there are several sites on the internet that talk about absents of color in learning.  Another great tool are color overlays.  You can get these any where and all they are, are colored clear platic sheets a student would place over their work to change the back ground of the paper. \nEither way talk to your son any try to learn if when he looks a the chalk board does the writting look funny or strange.  A very good first sign.  If so have him checked by your local doctor and explain what you know and ask for special testing.  None of this type testing is advasive to a child, in fact it seem rather fun. (seminar experience).  Either way don't give up.  By the way I failed to mention I Have been working with children and young adults with special needs, disabilities for over four years now.  P.S. please forgive my spelling errors and grammer, some days are very long.  Hope I hepled.
94342
okay, here's a little technique i use when writing essay..and it's really easy once you get a hang of it..and i'll show it to you through step by step :]\n\nExample. Topic - is it appropriate for teenagers to have a computer in their room? (yeah i know it sucks but i'm just using it as an example..and let's say you think they shouldn't)\n\nnow, you should think in your head that your essay will be at least contain 5 paragraphs - 1 for introduction, 3 for the body of the essay, and 1 for conclusion.\n\nparagraph 1 - introduction - try to talk about how the computers and the internet have gotten so poppular these days and how much people love to spend time on it. Then at the end of the paragraph, point out the thesis which you think that teenagers should not allow to have a computer in their room - but one thing, try not to make it an announcement.\n\nnow you need to explain a few reasons why teenagers should not have a computer in their room in order to support your thesis..\n\nbody  - paragraph 1 - it's addicting and teenagers may end up spending a lot more time on the computer than what they really suppose to, other than doing their homeworks.\n\n        paragraph 2 -  people who spend a lot of time on the computers tend to get headaches and back pain as well as damage of the vision.\n\n        paragraph 3 - it causes lack of communication between the teenagers and their parents because teenagers tend to spend a lot of time in their room so they could access to the internet.\n\nlast paragraph - conclusion - well i think you already got the idea of how to write the conclusion but remember your conclusion paragraph needs to correspond with the introduction paragraph :]\n\ni hope this will help you a little more to understand how the body structure of an essay should look like. good luck :]