Expository Writing

How to do Something!

What is expository writing?

- explains anything such as directions or rules- gives knowledge

- expository writing will be: used, mailed, published, produced, read, received, followed, printed, presented, or sung!

Turn to a partner and take turns explaining how you comb your hair.

Explaining things in the correct order, one step at a time, is the best way to make a process clear.

Rewrite the following steps in the order you would use to heat soup.

Making Soup

Choose the most effective transition word to introduce each step in the process, then number each step. First Then Finally After that Next

- Remove the top from the can, and pour the soup into the pan.- Stir the soup over medium heat until it’s hot and ready to eat.- Gather together a can of soup, a pan, and a can opener.- Attach the can opener to the lid of the can, and turn it slowly until the top of the can comes off.- Put the pan on the stove, and turn on the burner to medium.

Now we have super soup for supper!First, gather together a can of soup, a pan, and a can opener.Next, attach the can opener to the lid of the can, and turn it slowly until the top of the can comes off.After that, remove the top from the can, and pour the soup into the pan.Then, put the pan on the stove, and turn on the burner to medium. Finally, stir the soup over medium heat until it’s hot and ready to eat.

Friday, October 10th

Your expository writing project …

How to do something!

You will use the step-by-step process to write directions for how to do something that you will demonstrate in class. Your written paper will be based on these steps. Your project can be preparing something or how to create, do, or operate something.

How will we do this expository writing project?

1st step in the “How to” Formula

A catchy title to “tease” the reader.

Hint: Do not use “How to” in the title; that’s too obvious!Examples: The Best Sandwich this Side of BirminghamWant to Win at Video Games?Flying in Your BackyardJuggling with the Stars

Now … your group’s turn.Take the following ideas and turn

them into catchy titles:

1. How to ride a skateboard

2. How to play football 3. How to get to my house

4. How to do the Cupid Shuffle 5. How to make popcorn

2nd step

in the “How to” Formula

Capture the reader’s attention!

Create a clever “grabber” as your first sentence. Here are some tips and

examples:

1. Use a rhetorical question: Are you tired of the same old after-school snack?

2. Use dialogue: “Score! That’s a 20-pound catfish if I’ve ever

seen one!” or “That was a slam dunk!”

3. Use a mystery statement: When I came home from school, there was a

very odd looking box on the front porch.

4. Use a shocking statement: The best way to make a perfect score

on your next test is to sleep.

5. Use a humorous statement: Making cookies with my sister is like

teaching a monkey to bake!

6. Use onomatopoeia: Crash! Ka-boom! That’s the sound that

came from our basement the first time we built a rocket.

Now it is your turn.

In your groups take one idea and write a “grabber” first line:

1. How to start a dirtbike - rhetorical question2. How to arm wrestle – dialogue3. How to wrap a present - mystery statement4. How to bait a fishhook – shocking statement5. How to braid hair – humorous statement6. How to play a card game - onomatopoeia

Pass Out Transition Yellow Page

• Pick 8 to 10 transition words to use in your writing.

• You may not need all 10, but it is good to have some extra!

Monday October 13th

3rd step in the “How to” Formula

Writing a topic sentence

A topic sentence tells your reader what the passage is going to be about. To write a topic sentence, simply state what your paragraph is going to explain.

Examples:

Main idea: Cleaning out your locker.Topic sentence: I am going to demonstrate how to completely clean and organize your locker.

Main idea: Learning to cook for yourself.Topic sentence: I am going to teach you how to make a simple recipe with no help from an adult.

Now it is your turn …

Read the following main idea statements and create a great topic sentence.

Topic: Making your own kite

Topic Sentence: I am going to teach you how to make a cool kite in five easy steps using only materials you have at home.

Topic: Taking care of a pet

Topic Sentence: Proper grooming, feeding and bathing your pet is essential to keeping your pet healthy for their entire life.

Topic: Finding information on the internet

Topic Sentence: Finding information on the internet is more fun when you search safely using these five tips.

Topic: Learning a foreign language

Topic Sentence: Here is a tried-and-true method for learning Spanish that will convince any Spaniard that you have been speaking it from birth.

Tuesday, October 14th

4th step in the “How to” Formula

Including Details

Authors look at a scene with a critical eye. They notice details and then write descriptively. A good descriptive passage appeals to the reader’s sense of smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste.

For instance, a story about a baseball game at a baseball park might include details with the following words:

Crowds Ball players

Uniforms Grass mowed

Hot dog seller

Announcer

Shouts Diamond Bases Little kids Sunny “thwack”

“Safe!” Peanuts Organ music

Scoreboard Families Stomping feet

Umpires The “wave” “Strike one!”

Autographs Victory Dugout

The press Stomping feet

Cheering “You’re out!” Home plate

Pitching

Bats and balls

Jeering fear Buttery popcorn

Frozen Cokes

sweating

National anthem

Baseball cards

“Strike two!”

glove singing “homerun!”

Now it is your turn . . .

Read the following passage.

I love it when my friend comes over to spend the night on Friday nights. We stay up late and do many things. We have a blast together. We fix snacks and do fun things. Sometimes we go places. I always look forward to the good times we have.

It doesn’t create much of a picture in your head, does it? So make a list of words that refer to DETAILS you might include! Use your five senses to create your list. Put the words into five columns.

Friday Nights at the Funny Farm

Hear See Smell Feel taste

Laughs Moonlight Popcorn popping

Soft pillows

Cinnamon rolls

Now for a little fun, read “Detail Court,” a play where Judge Trudy expects more from a young writer. Listen for details and be careful not to break your funny bone!

Wednesday, October 15th

5th step in the “How to” Formula

Conclude with re-stating the most important message of your writing.

Restating means to say the same thing in different words. Authors restate a point to keep it fresh in the reader’s mind. This is especially true when you are writing a conclusion.

Read the following sentences along with a restated version.

Cycling is a great way to stay in shape and have fun, too.

I never thought I’d enjoy raising earthworms, but I think the worms and I are going to be friends for a

long, long time.

Raising earthworms to sell for bait is an interesting and profitable hobby.

Give cycling a chance, and I think you’ll like it as much as I do.

My sister Ellen and I can’t wait for winter to come so we can build a snowman.

Stop by this winter so you can see the world’s most beautiful snowman

handmade by sisters!

Your Turn!!You will be divided into 4 groups

and given a topic sentence. Your group will use the topic

sentence to write a good conclusion sentence.

Now it is YOUR turn …Read the following topic sentences then write a restatement for a strong, memorable conclusion.

3. A scarecrow is a good way to keep birds from eating your garden.

1. After school, kids should eat healthy snacks instead of junk food.

4. The best way to spend a beautiful spring Saturday is on a hike in the North Alabama mountains.

2. Having a garage sale is a lot of work but a great way to make some money.

We are going to make a class poster to help us remember how

to write a good “How To” expository paper. The same groups that wrote conclusion

sentences will write two reminders. The reminders will be placed together on a poster and

hung in the room.

Reminders• Use correct spelling and punctuation• Use correct paragraph form • Use strong verbs• Use adjectives and adverbs

• Use figures of speech • Use transition, or sequence, words

• Be creative; make it interesting• You’ll be presenting this, so choose something you can do in class

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Example of an Expository Writing/How-to Project

Whistling ‘til the Cows Come Home

“Come and get it!” Oh, is that not working for you anymore? I’ve discovered a great way to successfully get everyone to come to the table at the same time and hopefully, while the food is still piping hot. If you don’t know how to whistle, I’ll teach you. It’s as easy as pie, as they say. You can learn to whistle in just five easy steps.

First, wet your whistle! That’s not just an expression, it is really necessary. Gulp a swallow of water so you will have plenty of moisture in your mouth. Next, straighten your two pointer fingers and hold them toward your mouth. Then, place them firmly on the tip of your tongue. Now, you must push your tongue forward and hold the tip against your two straight fingers. Finally, while keeping your fingers straight, blow HARD between your teeth. Remember that everything worth doing requires practice, so I suggest you go outside where no one can hear your screeches and repeat the steps until you have a loud, long, lovely, lingering lullaby for the lips.

Now you can start relaxing about calling everyone to dinner. Your job just became a lot easier because your family will never miss the signal again. Whistling for dinner will get everyone running to the table while the gettin’ is good!

Oct 23, 24, 27 Presentations