Monday, August 30, 2010

Journal Entry #8: Write a one-page story (advanced) or ½ page story (standard) using all of the following words: hot dog, clouds, eagle, pizza, puppies, boat, sour, flu, flag, trees. (Underline or highlight them in your story.)
Classwork: Share journal entries in groups; Class notes: Parts of a friendly letter; Discuss vocabulary from “The Seventh Grade.”
Homework: (Due on Wednesday). Make a plot diagram on 8 ½ x 11 paper. Label and decorate it. Be creative! The best looking ones will be on display for Open House on September 16th.

Here are our class notes from today:

1. The Heading. This includes the address, line by line, with the last line being the date. Skip a line after the heading. The heading is indented to the middle of the page. If using preaddressed stationery, add just the date.

2. The Greeting. The greeting always ends with a comma. The greeting may be formal, beginning with the word "dear" and using the person's given name or relationship, or it may be informal if appropriate.

Formal: Dear Uncle Jim, Dear Mr. Wilkins,
Informal: Hi Joe, Greetings,

3. The body. Also known as the main text. This includes the message you want to write. Normally in a friendly letter, the beginning of paragraphs is indented. Skip a line after the greeting and before the close.

4. The closing. This short expression is always a few words on a single line. It ends in a comma. It should be indented to the same column as the heading. Skip one to three spaces (two is usual) for the signature line.

5. The signature line. Type or print your name. The handwritten signature goes above this line and below the close. The signature line and the handwritten signature are indented to the same column as the close. If the letter is quite informal, you may omit the signature line as long as you sign the letter.