Composition: Developing Drafts By Organizing With Structure And Transitions (TEKS.ELA.6.10.B.i)
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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Composition: Developing Drafts By Organizing With Structure And Transitions (TEKS.ELA.6.10.B.i)
Sixth graders at our school wanted to improve the campus. They decided to plan a Saturday clean-up day. The group listed supplies like gloves, rakes, and trash bags. They asked the custodian where to put full bags. Volunteers signed up during lunch. Some students designed posters to invite families. The team created areas to focus on, such as the courtyard and the bus loop. The schedule included time for a snack break. Everyone would meet by the flagpole. Students hoped to make the school look welcoming. They wanted the day to run smoothly. The draft of the plan felt scattered without connecting words. The steps were not clearly linked for readers. The information belonged, but the order and flow were hard to follow for organizers.
Which revision best improves the organization?
Move the final three sentences to the beginning of the draft.
Add "First," to the beginning of sentence 2; "Next," to sentence 3; "Then," to sentence 5; and "Finally," to sentence 9.
Insert a new sentence about national littering statistics after sentence 6.
Repeat the sentence about meeting by the flagpole at the end of the draft.
Explanation
B is best because adding clear sequence transitions links the steps and clarifies the order, creating coherence across the draft. A disrupts the natural context, C adds off-topic information, and D repeats a detail without improving flow. Extension: Add an introduction and a conclusion to the draft. Scaffold starters—Intro: To begin, This plan explains... Conclusion: In the end, By following these steps,... Enrichment: Analyze a mentor text with strong transitions, then model its sequence in your own plan.
Running a first 5K can feel intimidating. I started with small goals. I ran for one minute and walked for two minutes. I kept a log in a notebook. I circled days when I slept well. I noticed those runs felt easier. I chose a safe route in my neighborhood. I told an adult when I left the house. I warmed up with stretches. I slowed my breathing when I felt tired. I picked a race date with my cousin. We planned to celebrate with pancakes afterward. I set out my shoes and socks the night before workouts. The routine worked for me. The explanation is choppy because the steps jump around. Readers need connecting words to understand the training flow from start to finish.
Which revision best improves the organization?
Add an extra paragraph about world-record marathon times.
Move the sentence about picking a race date to the beginning.
Repeat the detail about walking two minutes at both the start and the end.
Add "First," to sentence 2; "Next," to sentence 3; "Then," to sentence 9; "After that," to sentence 11; and "Finally," to sentence 14.
Explanation
D is best because it adds purposeful transitions that guide readers through the training steps and culminate in a concluding idea, improving coherence. A is off-topic, B disrupts the logical sequence, and C adds repetition without structure. Extension: Revise by adding an introduction and conclusion sentence. Scaffold starters—Intro: This paragraph explains how I trained... Conclusion: By following these steps, I was ready... Enrichment: Study a mentor text describing a routine; map its transitions and mirror that structure.
Last year I tested how music affected plant growth. I planted three small pots with the same kind of seeds. I placed all three by a sunny window. I watered them on the same schedule. I played classical music for one pot every day. I played rock music for another pot. I left the last pot in silence. I measured the height of each plant twice a week. I wrote the data in a chart. I took photos of the leaves. I wanted to present the results clearly. The order in my notes hops around. Sentences don't connect. A reader could lose track of what happened first. The steps make sense, but the draft needs links between actions and observations to guide the audience better.
Which revision best improves the organization?
Add "To begin," to sentence 2; "Next," to sentence 3; "Then," to sentence 4; "After that," to sentence 8; and "Finally," to sentence 11.
Repeat the sentence about writing data in a chart at the end of the draft.
Insert a sentence about my favorite playlist between sentences 5 and 6.
Move the measurement and photo sentences to the beginning of the draft.
Explanation
A is best because adding chronological transitions connects the setup, treatment, and data collection, producing a coherent experimental sequence. B repeats a detail without improving flow, C is off-topic, and D places results before methods, which disrupts understanding. Extension: Add an introduction and conclusion sentence. Scaffold starters—Intro: This experiment investigates... Conclusion: The results show that... Enrichment: Analyze a mentor lab report's structure, then model its sequence and transitions.
Building a simple paper kite seemed like a fun challenge. I gathered thin wooden sticks and light paper. I checked that the sticks were the same length. I cut a notch in one end of each stick. I crossed the sticks to make a plus sign. I tied them together in the middle. I stretched paper across the frame. I glued the edges to hold it tight. I taped a string along the spine. I attached a longer line for flying. I added a tail made of ribbon. I chose an open field for the first flight. The order on my page jumps around. The steps belong together, but the flow is stiff. The draft needs connecting words to show the build from start onward.
Which revision best improves the organization?
Insert a paragraph about kite festivals around the world after sentence 11.
Move the sentence about choosing an open field to the beginning of the draft.
Add "First," to sentence 2; "Next," to sentence 4; "Then," to sentence 6; "After that," to sentence 8; and "Finally," to sentence 12.
Repeat the sentence about adding a tail at the end of the draft.
Explanation
C is best because adding clear sequence transitions organizes the building steps from materials to flight, strengthening coherence within and across sentences. A is off-topic, B disrupts the logical build, and D repeats a detail without improving structure. Extension: Add an introduction and a conclusion sentence. Scaffold starters—Intro: This paragraph explains how to build... Conclusion: When these steps are followed,... Enrichment: Examine a mentor how-to text for transition patterns and apply the same structure.
Our class visited the animal shelter for a service project. We walked dogs. We cleaned kennels. Some dogs were shy. Some barked loudly. The staff gave us gloves and leashes. We learned safety rules about staying calm and reading body language. I helped a brown puppy. It trembled near the fence. I knelt and waited. It came closer. I clipped the leash. We took a short walk around the yard. The puppy relaxed. My friend rinsed water bowls. Another group folded blankets. We put toys in bins. We finished our tasks. We talked about why the work mattered. Animals need care and attention. Small jobs add up to comfort. The day showed me how students can help their community. I felt proud riding home afterward.
Which revision best improves the organization of the draft?
Move the safety-rules sentence before the task descriptions and add transitions like "First," "Then," and "Finally" to show the sequence of activities.
Add a detail about the bus driver and what music played during the ride home from the shelter.
Repeat the sentence "We walked dogs" at the end to remind readers of the first task.
Place the word "However" in front of every sentence to make the writing sound more serious.
Explanation
A improves organization by grouping related information (safety rules before tasks) and adding clear transitions to guide readers through the sequence. B adds off-topic detail. C creates unnecessary repetition. D disrupts flow with an ill-fitting transition. Extension: Revise a short draft by adding a clear introduction and a concluding sentence. Scaffold: Use sentence starters like "To begin, …," "Next, …," "In addition, …," and "In conclusion, …." Enrichment: Study a mentor text to identify its introduction, transitions between paragraphs, and conclusion, then model your own structure after it.
Growing a bean plant at home is simple. You need a small pot, soil, water, and a sunny window. Fill the pot with soil almost to the top. Make a shallow hole. Place the bean in the hole. Cover it with soil. Press gently. Water the soil so it feels damp. Do not soak it. Put the pot on the sill. Watch the soil each day. Touch the surface. If it is dry, add a little water. If it is damp, wait. A sprout appears in a week or two. Leaves open. Turn the pot so the plant grows straight. Keep pets away from the pot. Measure the height with a ruler. Write notes in a notebook to track growth. Be patient and watch carefully.
Which revision best improves the organization of the draft?
Insert a paragraph about recipes that use beans once the plant produces pods.
Group the watering and care tips together, add sequence words like "First," "Next," "Then," and "Finally," and end with a concluding sentence about tracking growth.
Repeat the step "Water the soil" three times to emphasize its importance.
Insert the word "because" between every sentence without changing the order.
Explanation
B strengthens organization by grouping related care steps and using transitions to clarify the sequence, plus a concluding sentence that wraps up the process. A adds off-topic information. C causes unnecessary repetition. D adds awkward wording without improving structure. Extension: Revise a short draft to add an introduction and a conclusion sentence. Scaffold: Try starters like "To begin, …," "After that, …," "Another step is …," and "Finally, …." Enrichment: Analyze a mentor how-to text for introduction, logical order, transitions, and conclusion; then model your own process piece on that structure.
Middle school starts early in the morning. Many students feel sleepy in first period. Homework and sports make bedtimes later. The alarm rings before the sun rises. Students rush to the bus. Breakfast is skipped. Class begins. Brains need rest to focus and remember. Scientists connect sleep with better health and mood. Grades can improve when students are rested. Teachers notice more participation. Families benefit too. Mornings feel less tense. Safer walking and driving happen in daylight. After-school activities still fit. The day shifts slightly. Communities can adjust schedules. Bus routes can be changed. Coaches can plan practices. A later start time helps learning and well-being. Our school should try a small change to see the results. Students would arrive alert and ready to learn.
Which revision best improves the organization of the draft?
Insert a paragraph comparing different alarm clock brands and their features.
Move the concluding recommendation to the second sentence and scatter the reasons randomly throughout the paragraph.
Add a clear claim at the beginning, use transitions such as "Because," "For example," and "As a result" to connect reasons to evidence, and finish with a concluding statement that echoes the claim.
Place "On the other hand" before every sentence to vary the tone.
Explanation
C improves organization by establishing the claim up front, connecting reasons and evidence with logical transitions, and ending with a reinforcing conclusion. A is off-topic. B disrupts the logical order. D misuses a contrast transition and confuses the flow. Extension: Revise a short draft to include an engaging introduction and a clear conclusion. Scaffold: Use starters like "I believe … because …," "For example, …," "This shows …," and "In conclusion, …." Enrichment: Read a mentor opinion piece to study how the introduction previews reasons, transitions connect ideas, and the conclusion restates the claim; then model your own structure.
My backpack holds books, folders, pencils, and snacks. Papers are crumpled at the bottom. Loose coins slide in a pocket. I want it to be neat. I emptied everything onto a table. I shook out crumbs. I sorted items into piles. Trash went to the bin. Broken pencils went away. I checked each notebook for torn pages. I used paper clips to group handouts. Sticky notes marked important pages. Small items needed a case. I found a zipper pouch. Pens, pencils, and erasers went inside. Headphones went in a side pocket. Heavy books belonged closest to my back. Folders stood in the middle. The front pocket held snacks. A water bottle fit in the mesh holder. My bag felt lighter and easier to use. Today.
Which revision best improves the organization of the draft?
Insert a sentence describing what the writer prefers to eat for lunch at school.
Repeat "I sorted items into piles" at the beginning and end of the paragraph.
Move the word "Today" to the beginning and add three exclamation marks for emphasis.
Group related steps into categories and add transitions like "First," "Next," and "Finally," and end with a concluding sentence that connects back to keeping the backpack neat.
Explanation
D strengthens organization by grouping similar actions (cleaning, sorting, placing) and adding transitions that guide the reader, plus a conclusion tying back to the goal. A is off-topic. B is needless repetition. C changes tone without improving structure. Extension: Revise a short draft by writing an introduction and a conclusion sentence. Scaffold: Try starters like "To get organized, …," "Next, …," "After that, …," and "In conclusion, …." Enrichment: Examine a mentor procedural text to see how it uses an introduction, clear transitions, and a closing; then model your own organization on it.