Transcript Expository Writing Ms. Wile 6 Grade Language Arts

Expository Writing
Ms. Wile
6th Grade Language Arts
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What is Expository Writing?
Writing intended to inform the reader.
 Writing that explains, describes, gives
information, informs or defines.
 Writing that answers the questions:
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Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
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When to Use Expository
Writing?
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When you want to:
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Tell what happened when…
Write a report on…
Explain how to…
Describe how to…
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Forms of Expository Writing
Non fiction Books
 Textbooks
 Manuals
 Pamphlets
 Magazines
 Journals
 Letters
 Definitions
 Research papers
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Characteristics of Good
Expository Writing
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Focus on main topic.
Use logical,
supporting facts.
Give sufficient
details, explanations,
and examples.
Make sure your ideas
are clear and precise.
Use smooth
transitions.
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Use words that
clearly show what
you are talking about.
Do not assume your
reader has prior
knowledge of the
topic.
Present ideas in a
logical order.
Use strong
organization.
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What are the key words that show it
is an expository prompt?
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Most people enjoy some type of music. Think
about your favorite type of music and explain
why you like that particular type of music.
Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at
times. Explain how you would direct a lost man
to get back to the interstate highway from your
neighborhood.
Tell how to make a hamburger.
YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT
EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.
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Let’s prepare to write an essay!
Here’s the prompt.
There are many good and bad
things about being in the sixth
grade. Explain what these things
are.
What kind of prompt do we have?
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Expository
Organizational
Chart
*Pre-Writing*
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This is an important step!
Don’t try to write your paper
without doing an outline first.
Why?!
•You will be graded on organization.
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Introductions for expository
essays should….
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Grab the reader’s attention and include a thesis statement
– Thesis statement: Presents the central idea of an essay.
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AQQS
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Anecdote
Question
Quote
Statement of Intrigue
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Introduction
Have you ever thought about what are the
good and the bad things in sixth grade? There are
good things like changing classes and more
freedom. Some of the bad things are you have to
stay in school longer, you have SAT tests, and tests
get harder. Stay with me as I explain the good and
bad things about being in the seventh grade.
How does the writer grab your attention?
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Let’s start on the body.
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Each body paragraph must have a topic
sentence
– The topic sentence explains the main idea of a
paragraph and states or explains points related
to the thesis.
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First I will tell you about the good and fun things about
being in the sixth grade.You get to change classes so if
one teacher is like Mrs. Trunchbull in Matilda, you are only
with her for part of the day. If your teacher is like Ms.
Honey you will enjoy a fabulous time with her. Another
thing I enjoy is more freedom. We don’t have to walk in
straight lines as if we were soldiers marching off to war.
Next, you can get your own food instead of having the
lunch ladies get it for you. I like spending time with my
friends so if there are not in one of my classes, I can see
them at lunch.
Transition words help!
Does he explain, give examples, use figurative
language?
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Next I’m writing about the bad things you go through in
sixth grade. First of all you have to take the SAT test. In
elementary school you didn’t have to worry about this
kind of thing. The SAT test is like eating stale food
because it can hurt you and it can be boring. The tests
get harder as you go on. We have so many of them they
can cause major stress and make you feel like your
stomach was just pulled out. At my elementary school we
got out fifteen minutes earlier. Sitting in math class for
those extra minutes makes me feel terrible inside.
Did you find the transitions? What are the
key ideas? How does he explain his key
ideas?
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Finally my next category is going to be things that
come good and bad. First field trips are extremely fun
because you can talk and miss school. However it’s bad if
you go somewhere boring or can’t sit with your friend.
Everybody loves P.E. because we play real sports with
competitiveness. But sadly when we’re leaving PE, my
clothes get sweaty which doesn’t feel good. Everybody
knows the pluses and minuses of Homework! We have so
much homework it just takes the energy out of you, which
is bad. What is good about it is that the more homework
you have, the better chance you have to pull up your
grade.
Did you find the transitions? What are the key ideas?
How does he explain his key ideas?
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In conclusion the sixth grade has good and bad things
involved. Such as more freedom, and changing classes.
Some other things are SAT test, going to school longer, and
quizzes and tests. Homework, P.E., and field trips fall into
both of those categories.
What are your transitions? Does the writer
sum up what he written? Does he refer back
to the introduction?
This paragraph was from an actual essay
written by a student for the state writing
assessment. His organization gave him a four.
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Can you tell which passage is
narrative and which is expository?
Marty and I jumped to our
feet. “Ohhhh.” I heard
Marty let out a frightened
moan.
I started to back away. I
thought maybe I could
scramble out the other side
of the car.
But the snarling, growling
monsters came at us from
both sides. “L-leave us
alone.” I stammered.
A monster covered in
tangled brown fur opened
After Christopher
Columbus’s voyages to the
New World, many Spaniards
came to this continent to
explore. One Spanish
explorer was Ponce De
Leon. He traveled through
present-day Florida to find
the Fountain of Youth. A
second explorer, Coronado
searched for the Seven Cities
of Gold. He and his men
traveled
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Summary
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Identify your prompt
Plan your work with an outline.
Give your work a title with an action word.
Grab interest in the beginning
Build your paragraph with explanations,
examples, & evidence following the topic
statement or key statement.
Use strong action words
Use vivid adjectives
Use figurative language.
Finished? Reread & reread to improve and
clarify.
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