Sentence Starters Reference Sheet
WRITER'S TOOLKIT
Visual Language Guide
Sentence Frames & Starters • Page 1: Opinion, Facts & Text Evidence
Name: Date:
🧩 Sentence Formula:
Sentence Starter + [Your Idea] + [Reason or Proof] = ✅ Complete Thought
🎯 1. Persuasive & Opinion Goal: Change someone's mind or share your belief
Tell what you think & why
🎯
My Opinion
- • In my opinion, [topic] is...
- • I strongly believe that [idea]...
- • There is no doubt that [fact]...
- • People should definitely [action]...
💡
My Reasons
- • The first reason is that [reason]...
- • For example, when [example]...
- • This is important because [why]...
- • In addition, research shows [fact]...
🔄
Other Side
- • Some people think that [idea]...
- • While that may be true, [rebuttal]...
- • Others might say [X], but...
- • Even though some disagree, [fact]...
📢
Final Call
- • For all these reasons, we must [do]...
- • As you can see, it is best to [action]...
- • Now is the time for people to [step]...
- • Remember that choosing to [X] will...
📚 2. Explanatory & Informational Goal: Teach facts, explain how things work, or tell steps
Share facts & information
🔍
Topic Intro
- • Have you ever wondered how [X]...
- • [Topic] can be defined as...
- • An important thing to know is [fact]...
- • This article will explain why [topic]...
⚡
Cause & Effect
- • Because of [cause], [effect]...
- • When [action] occurs, it leads to...
- • As a result of this, [outcome]...
- • This change directly causes [result]...
⚖️
Same & Different
- • Similar to [A], [B] also...
- • Both [A] and [B] share...
- • However, unlike [A], [B] has...
- • One major difference between them is...
🔢
Step Order
- • First, the process begins when [step]...
- • Next, after [action] happens,...
- • At the same time, [event]...
- • Finally, in the last step, [end]...
📖 3. Text Evidence & Reading Response Goal: Prove your answers using words from the passage
Quote & explain the book
💬
Step 1: Cite the Words
- • In paragraph [#], the author writes, "..."
- • On page [#], the text says, "..."
- • According to the author, "..."
- • As stated in the story, "..."
✨
Step 2: Explain Meaning
- • This quote shows that [detail]...
- • From this evidence, the reader can tell that...
- • This is important because it means [idea]...
- • The author includes this to prove that...
🏆
Step 3: Connect to Theme
- • The main lesson or theme of the text is...
- • This shows the character changed because...
- • The author uses the word "[word]" to show...
- • In the end, the text teaches us that...
💡 Word Helper
States: says directly • Demonstrates: shows clearly • Infer: figure out from clues • Evidence: proof from text
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WRITER'S TOOLKIT
Visual Language Guide
Sentence Frames & Starters • Page 2: Storytelling & Sensory Descriptions
Show, Don't Tell Use sensory pictures
🎨 Golden Rule:
Instead of "He was scared" ➔ "His knees shook and his heart raced like a drum!"
🖌️ 4. Descriptive Writing Goal: Help your reader see, hear, feel, and smell the scene
Paint pictures with words
👁️
What You See
- • In the distance, I saw [noun]...
- • The bright light of [thing] shone...
- • Dark shadows stretched over the...
- • Towering high above was a huge...
👂
What You Hear
- • Suddenly, a loud [sound] echoed...
- • The quiet room was filled with...
- • In the background, I heard...
- • A whisper broke the quiet when...
✋
What You Feel
- • It felt as smooth as [object]...
- • The biting cold wind hit my...
- • The rough surface felt like...
- • A warm breeze brushed across...
👃
Smell & Taste
- • The sweet smell of [thing] filled...
- • The air smelled fresh like...
- • A bitter taste filled my mouth as...
- • The strong scent of smoke meant...
🚀 5. Narrative & Creative Storytelling Goal: Hook the reader, build excitement, and tell a story
Entertain your reader
🗝️
Story Openers
- • It all started on a day when...
- • Nobody expected that [name] would...
- • If only I had known that [event]...
- • I never imagined what would happen...
⚡
Action & Suspense
- • Without warning, the door [action]...
- • My heart pounded fast when I saw...
- • In a split second, everything changed...
- • Suddenly, I realized that we were...
⏰
Time Changes
- • A few minutes later, [event]...
- • Early the next morning, [name]...
- • Just before sunset, they decided to...
- • Meanwhile, on the other side of town,...
💬
Talking & Thinking
- • "..." whispered [name] quietly.
- • "..." I shouted, pointing toward...
- • In my mind, I thought, "..."
- • She looked nervous and stammered, "..."
🗣️ ELL Tip Always read your sentence out loud or in a whisper. Ask yourself: "Does this sound like a complete thought?"
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