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Informative Piece Writing Assignment
•
Write an informative piece, in third person, about any topic you wish.
•
You may work alone or in a group of two or three people.
•
If working in a group, all members of the group must be involved in all aspects of the
writing process.
•
The fi nished piece should be handwritten in D’Nealian cursive. If you are working in
a group, each member of the group needs to hand write an equal portion of the fi nal
work. Each students’ handwriting will only effect their handwriting grade on the
piece, not every member of the groups’ grade. Please label your handwriting with
your name so you will get credit for your handwriting.
•
Start working on this project as soon as possible to allow yourself enough time to get
all of your other work fi nished and still complete this assignment on time. If you
work on this writing assignment a little bit every day, you will have enough time to
fi nish before the due date.
Timeline:
Due on Friday, March 28, 2025, Week 30.
•
Complete outline
•
Cover page
•
Introductory paragraph
•
At least one Footnote or Endnote
Due on Friday, April 11, 2025, Week 31.
•
Subtopic paragraphs
•
At least one Footnote or Endnote for each paragraph.
Due on Friday, April 18, 2025, Week 32.
•
Summary paragraph
•
Endnotes or Footnotes
•
Bibliography
Due on Friday, April 25, 2025, Week 33.
•
Final handwritten D’Nealian cursive paper.
•
One tenth of a point deduction on fi nal grade for every school day that work is late.
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GRANT SCHOOL
1425 Washington Place, San Diego, CA 92103-1792
Offi ce
: 619
-860
-
5500 Fax: 619-297-8404
Dave P. Martocchio
InstructorDave@me.com
InstructorDave.org
Mobile: 858-354-9417
Format for Drafts:
1.
Choose font such as
Arial, Calibri, Verdana
,
Cambria, Georgia,
or
Times New
Roman
.
2.
Keep the same font for the whole document.
3.
Font size should be from 10 to 12 points.
4.
Headings and Titles can be from 14 to 16 points.
5.
The font color should be black.
6.
Single space between paragraphs.
7.
Left justifi ed.
8.
Page number in bottom right corner in the following format: Page # of #
9.
Page 1 of # starts on the fi rst page that has the text (content) of the paper.
10.
Pages before the text (content) of the paper, such as, but not limited to: title page,
table of contents, dedication, acknowledgments, introduction, preface, etc. are
numbered using Roman Numerals.
11.
Pages after the text (content) of the paper such as, but not limited to: index,
glossary, gazetteer, maps, endnotes, bibliography, atlas, almanac, timelines, etc. are
numbered using Arabic Numerals continuing from the last page of the text
(content).
12.
White background.
13.
Graphs, charts, photos, diagrams, etc. can be in color.
Prepare to Write Your Paragraphs:
1.
Choose a subject that is interesting to you.
2.
Make a list of as many things you want to learn about your subject as you can.
3.
Do some research to learn more about your subject.
4.
Make a list of your sources. Use at least three sources.
Outline:
Include the Following Items in the Outline:
1.
Your full name.
2.
Your title.
3.
The date in Month Date, Year format. No abbreviations.
4.
The subject you will write about.
5.
The title of your piece.
6.
At least three subtopics that you will write about.
7.
The sources of your information.
Cover Page:
1.
Write a descriptive and catchy title for your topic.
2.
Write your full name.
3.
Write the date in
Month Date, Year format. No abbreviations.
4.
Center justify vertically and horizontally.
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2
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11
Introduction - At least one paragraph:
A.
Write in third person.
B.
Write a topic sentence.
C.
Introduce the topic.
D.
Provide background on the topic.
E.
Include at least one footnote or endnote.
F.
End with a sentence that makes the reader want to read more.
Subtopics - A paragraph for each subtopic:
Repeat the process below for at least three subtopics.
A.
Write in third person.
B.
State the subtopic in one sentence.
C.
Provide details about the subtopic.
D.
Include at least one footnote or endnote.
E.
End with a summary sentence.
Conclusion/Summary - A paragraph summing up your research:
A.
Write in third person.
B.
Restate your topic.
C.
Summarize the subtopics.
D.
Write a concluding statement.
Citations/Bibliography:
A.
If you fi nd information that you want to include in your informative piece you
may include it in the text. Here is a website that will help you with formatting the
citations:
https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/in-text-citations/
B.
Make a Bibliography/Works Cited list of all the sources of your information at the
end of your piece. Here is a website that will help you with formatting the list:
https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/how-to-format-a-mla-works-cited-list/
C. Here is a website that gives examples of how to cite various sources using the
MLA (Modern Language Association) format:
https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/how-do-i-cite-a/
Final Draft:
•
Use lined paper.
•
Be sure to start writing on the side of the paper where the holes are on the left and
the large margin is at the top.
•
Leave margins.
•
Write in D’Nealian Cursive.
•
Write in third person.
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3
•
Do not write on the back of the pages.
•
Add page numbers in the Page # of # format.
•
Keep pages in a folder to prevent ripped, wrinkled, and/or bent pages.
•
Do not include the outline.
•
Footnotes go at the bottom of the page.
•
Endnotes go on the page after the end of the writing.
•
Bibliography goes after the endnotes.
•
Staple neatly organized pages in top left corner.
•
Read your work out loud to fi nd any errors
Grading:
Click
HERE
to see how your work will be graded.
Need Help?
•
Talk to Mr. Martocchio.
•
Look at the
Writing Reminders
slide deck.
See the next page for a sample Informative Piece.
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Informative Writing Example - This example is meant to be instructional. It is not
meant to be a template for substituting another topic in place of the Lionel train topic.
Topic: Lionel Trains
Introduction: History of Lionel trains.
• Who started the company?
• Where are they made?
• When did they start the company and are they still in business?
• What kind of trains does Lionel make?
• Does Lionel make anything else besides trains?
Subtopic 1: Lionel trains are fun to play with.
• People of all ages love to play with trains.
• Lionel trains are entertaining.
• A Lionel train under the Christmas tree is enjoyable.
• There are fun things to do with Lionel trains regardless of one’s age.
• Since collecting and using model trains incorporates so many skills,
everyone in the family can fi nd something they enjoy about it.
Subtopic 2: Lionel trains are collectible .
• Many people enjoy collections.
• Some Lionel trains are rare and do special things which makes them
collectible.
• There are many special edition Lionel trains that become collectible
and increase in value over time.
Subtopic 3: Displaying Lionel trains.
• A Lionel train display can make one’s home, offi ce, bedroom more
interesting.
• A Lionel train display can be a discussion starter.
• One can display certain trains that one has a personal connection to
such as a Padre train car or a branch of the military train.
Subtopic 4: Investing in Lionel trains.
• Some model trains will appreciate in value making them an
investment.
Subtopic 5: People can learn how to work with wood when using Lionel trains.
• Setting up a full Lionel train layout requires making a wooden table
for the space available.
Subtopic 6: People can learn about historic events when using Lionel trains.
• One can learn about a lot about history through the subject of trains.
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5
Outline
FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. DO NOT COPY.
• One can learn about the transcontinental railroad, The Big Four, the
importance of trains in building America, etc.
• When setting up a train layout, one needs to know what other items
were present during the times as the types of trains used
in the layout.
Subtopic 7: People can learn about electricity when using Lionel trains.
• One can learn about electricity and wiring.
• Setting up a train layout requires a lot of wiring, switches, lights,
control panels, and power sources.
Subtopic 8: People can learn how to do various forms of art when using Lionel trains.
• One can learn about various forms of art such as painting,
woodworking, backdrops, scenery creation, etc.
Conclusion:
• Recap of Lionel trains.
• Review what can be done with Lionel trains.
• Review the advantages of Lionel trains.
• End with an interesting and memorable sentence.
Title: Playing with Toy Trains is Good for the Whole Family
My Title: Dave Martocchio - Lionel train collector.
Date: February 26, 2024.
Sources: •
https://www.lionel.com/articles/timeline/
•
All Aboard!: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company
•
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Corporation
• The History of Lionel Trains -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVFXjialrCw
• CNN Business - 100 Years of Lionel’s Model Trains -
https://money.cnn.com/gallery/smallbusiness/2013/10/21/lionel-trains/
index.html
• Invaluable Website
https://www.invaluable.com/blog/inside-the-archives-lionel-train-prices/
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FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. DO NOT COPY.
Playing with Toy Trains is Good for the Whole Family
February 26, 2024
Dave Martocchio - Lionel Train Collector
An Introduction to Lionel Trains
Lionel trains have been around for over 100 years. Joshua Lionel Cowen (born
Cohen) and Harry C. Grant started the company in 1900 in New York City. Since
then, many children and adults have enjoyed playing with, collecting, and displaying
Lionel trains. Many people have enjoyed Lionel trains because Lionel trains offer a
wide range of fun and learning. Having Lionel trains opens up the opportunity to;
have fun, learn about electricity and circuits, be artistic when creating displays for the
trains, learn about the history of the trains you buy, work with your family to build and
decorate displays to run your trains on, collect trains, and even invest in trains and the
value of some trains will go up over time.
Joshua Lionel Cowen was born in 1877, just eight years after the fi rst transcontinental
railroad was completed. The United States benefi ted from the transcontinental
railroad because of the new ability to move things and people more easily and quickly
across the country. Trains were a big part of American’s lives. It has been rumored
that when Mr. Cohen was seven he put a steam engine on a wooden train that he
carved. The engine exploded in the kitchen of his parents home.
1
When Joshua
Lionel Cowen started the Lionel Train Company in 1900, trains represented the best in
American technology.
Originally the Lionel Corporation sold electrically powered products such as fans,
and lighting. There is not a consensus as to how Mr. Cowen started making toy trains.
The fi rst Lionel train was made in December of 1900 as a storefront display instead of
a product for sale. Instead of wanting to buy the products for sale, many people seeing
the display wanted to buy the train. In response, Mr. Cowen started making toy trains
to sell.
2
Another story from the New York Times says Mr. Cowen connected a battery
powered fan motor to a model train.
3
By 1919 Lionel Trains was one of the three
biggest toy train companies in America. Lionel trains were manufactured in Hillside,
New Jersey until 1974. In the 1920’s Lionel became the biggest toy train seller in
America.
The Great Depression caused the Lionel Company to go into debt. Lionel overcame
that problem by making a very inexpensive Micky and Minnie Mouse wind-up handcar
and by making more realistic trains. Until then, the trains Lionel made were toys that
did not look like real trains.
During WWII Lionel produced products for the United States Navy. After WWII
Lionel focused on making only more realistic O-Guage trains (1:48 scale, 1/4” on the
toy equals one foot on the real train.). Lionel also added new features such as trains
that made smoke come out of the smokestack, remote-control uncoupling and
magnetic wheels on the engines to give them more pulling power.
By 1953 Lionel had become the biggest toy manufacturer in the world
4
. In only fi ve
years, however, Lionel was losing sales and profi ts. This was due to children wanting to
buy car and space based toys instead of trains. In the United States, cars were
Page
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Title
Date
Name & Your Title
Introduction
FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. DO NOT COPY.
replacing trains as the primary method of transportation. Space became a frequent
topic in movies and life when the Soviet Union launched the fi rst artifi cial satellite,
Sputnik. The United States, in response, rushed to beat the Soviet Union in a race to
be fi rst in space and the moon.
In the 1960’s due to declining train sales, Lionel made
phonographs, science, weather
station
, chemistry, microscope, and biology sets, slot car racing sets
and plastics
engineering kits
to try to boost profi ts. These products did not help the company.
From 1969 to 1993 Lionel operated up to 100 toy stores, at one point being the fourth-
largest toy retailer in America. In 2004 Lionel started making the Polar Express train
set. It has become Lionel’s all time best selling product. In 2007 it was estimated that
95
%
of Lionel sales were of O-Gauge trains and had about 60
%
of the O gauge train
market.
5
In 2010 Lionel partnered with Speedway Motorsports Inc. and International
Speedway Corporation to produce toy cars along with its trains. In 2021 Lionel moved
production from China to Vietnam.
6
Today Lionel has put modern technology into its trains such as apps that allow
control of trains from a smartphone or by voice, using social media, and partnering
with Disney, Warner Bros., and other companies to make trains with various themes.
7
Lionel, now called Lionel LLC (Limited Liability Company), is headquartered in
Concord, North Carolina, employs 146 people, and had over $93 million in revenue in
2023.
8
Buying and Using Lionel Trains has Many Benefi ts
Playing with Lionel trains can be fun and entertaining. It is fun to watch them go
around the track and to see all the different special things the train can do such as
whistle, make smoke, unload and load cargo, etc. Kids really enjoy the experience.
Many adults also like to operate Lionel trains layouts. For some families, setting up a
Lionel train under their Christmas tree is a holiday tradition. San Diego even has two
model train museums, one in Balboa Park, the other in Old Town that have many
Lionel trains. The Balboa Park museum is very popular. The Lionel display is by far
the most popular in the museum.
There are things to do with Lionel toy electric trains for every age and interest.
Many people like to set up a track layout and run the trains on the tracks. People of all
ages enjoy creating a track layout, choosing the trains to buy, and then at their control,
watch them go along the track. One can even set up multiple trains on multiple tracks
and run them at the same time. Lionel trains can even remotely connect and
disconnect train cars, make the whistle blow, make sounds of the railroad, and make
certain cars perform various tasks such as unloading or loading cargo. The options for
layouts is endless and the types of trains one can buy and what they can do is almost
endless. This is fun for everyone of any age.
Some people don’t have space where they live to set up layouts so they collect Lionel
trains that are of interest to them, are rare, and/or are expensive. The collection can
be kept in a small space on shelves or in display cases. Lionel makes a wide variety of
trains from very realistic looking recreations of historic trains, to railroad companies,
to themed trains such as The Polar Express, Harry Potter, Thomas & Friends, Major
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Subtopic 1
Playing with trains.
Subtopic 2
Collecting trains.
Introduction
Continued
FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. DO NOT COPY.
League Baseball, U.S. Military, NASCAR, and many others. There is something to
collect for every interest.
Having Lionel trains for display is also a reason to buy Lionel trains. One might have
a part of a train or a whole train that has a special meaning to them. One engine or car
can displayed on a desk at work, on a dresser at home, or on a shelf in another part of
the house. For example, if you like the Padres, you can buy the Padres boxcar and keep
it in your bedroom. If you like the army you can get an army train and keep it at your
desk at work. There are many types of Lionel trains. I am sure everyone can fi nd one
that is interesting to them to put on display.
One can even make money by buying and selling Lionel trains. Some Lionel trains
are produced in low numbers because there were very few orders for that train or the
company purposefully made very few of a particular. Sometimes those trains become
very desirable. With a lot of demand for a particular train, the resale price can go up.
If one were to buy the train when it was being produced and it becomes popular, one
could sell it for a profi t. Other Lionel trains become highly desirable because of the
theme it has or because it has a particularly popular railroad name, or the train has
some functions that become very popular. For example, Lionel makes many themed
trains sets. One of those sets is NASCAR themed trains. If a movie comes out about
NASCAR auto racing and the movie becomes popular and wins many awards, people
will want to buy products related to NASCAR such as a Lionel NASCAR train. This
will increase the price as demand goes up. Buying and selling Lionel trains can be a
fi nancial benefi t.
People who buy and use Lionel trains can learn a lot about woodworking. To set up a
complete track layout one needs to know about working with wood and the associated
tools. A complete Lionel display involves building a wooden table for the trains to run
on. The process of building a wooden table requires knowledge about types of wood,
sizes of wood, how to cut the wood, how to attach it together, and how to use all the
tools in order to do these things. These skills will be transferable to working on your
home when it needs repairs.
Using Lionel trains will educate you about time periods in history. It is a good idea
to do some research about the history of they types of trains you buy so you can creat a
layout that has the correct details for the time period those trains were used. For
example, if one makes a layout using steam engines, then one would not include Tesla
cars on the roads, NASA launch facilities, or cell phone towers as those
things did not
exist when steam trains were being used.
One can learn a lot about electricity and circuits through Lionel trains. This is
benefi cial in that one can then diagnose and fi x simple electrical problems around the
house or in the car. Setting up an electric train set requires wiring from the power
source to the track. It also requires power to be wired to all the accessories such as
lights, moving crossing gates, etc. One will learn about positive wires, negative wires,
grounding, shorting, and many other aspects of wiring and circuits.
Setting up a Lionel train layout provides a lot of artistic outlets. To make a complete
train layout one needs to add roads, automobiles, landscaping, backgrounds, buildings,
people, street and railroad signs, mountains, valleys, rivers, etc. Creating all of this
requires skills in; model building, painting, paper mache, plaster of paris, and many
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Subtopic 3
Displaying trains.
Subtopic 4
Investing in trains
Subtopic 5
Trains to learn
about
woodworking.
Subtopic 6
Trains to learn
about history.
Subtopic 7
Trains to learn
about electricity.
Subtopic 8
Trains to learn
about art.
FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. DO NOT COPY.
other artistic skills. Anyone interested in art will have a great time creating all these
additions to the train layout.
You now know that Lionel trains offer many opportunities for every personality,
interest, and member of the family. The very young can enjoy watching the trains go
around the track and perform their special operations. Families can enjoy the tradition
of a train running under their Christmas tree. The collector can enjoy fi nding and
collecting certain trains that are of interest to them. Lionel trains can be used as art
on display in one’s home or offi ce. The investor or entrepreneur can buy and sell
trains. The history buff can research the time period of the various trains. The artist
can creat backgrounds, model buildings and cars, various geographical features and
various flora for the train layout. The woodworker can have fun building a nice
wooden table for the trains to run on. The electrician can wire everything so it works
on command. People that don’t have the skills in any of these areas can benefi t from
learning how to do them in the process of building their train layout. Buying,
collecting, and operating Lionel trains has something for every member of the family
to enjoy and learn from. Lionel trains can teach one many things while providing a
great opportunity for a family activity.
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Summary
FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES
ONLY. DO NOT COPY.
