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Explain Read the following aloud to students: Clouded leopards are different species from leopards; however, they have common characteristics with leopards. For example, clouded leopards also have spots to help them blend into their background. Second, clouded leopards live mostly in the rain forests of Asia along with leopards. Another similarity is the fact that both clouded leopards and leopards are excellent climbers.
Explain that the author uses description to tell about the clouded leopard. The author used signal words and phrases such as for example and second to alert readers about a set of characteristics.
Guided Practice Ask, What is being described? (an animal called the clouded leopard) Reread the second sentence. Ask, What signal phrase alerts you that the writer is listing a characteristic? (For example)
Practice Have students write a short descriptive paragraph of their own about an animal they like. Remind them to use signal phrases such as for example. Ask students to read their paragraphs aloud and have students identify any signal words or phrases.
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