Expository Writers Craft

Transcription

1 Expository Writers Craft 1.) Your teacher wants you to write a report giving information about summer. Create a pre-writing plan (summarizing framework) showing your topic and main idea. Ex. TOPIC: Summer Main Idea #1: weather Main Idea #2: outdoor activities Main idea #3: changes in nature Main idea #4: annoying things about summer 2.) Add a definitive word or phrase to the following sentence: Mom will not be pleased. Ex. Mom will, without a doubt, not be pleased. 3.) List four definitive words or phrases and then add one to the following sentence: It has been a beautiful spring! Ex. surely definitely certainly clearly without a doubt It has certainly been a beautiful spring! 4.) Write a quote expressing some advice your mom or dad have given you. Be sure to use quotation marks properly. Ex. At least once a week my dad reminds me, If you don t do your chores, there won t be any allowance. 5.) Write a quote expressing some advice your teacher has given you. Be sure to use quotation marks properly. Ex. Ms. Uzzilio always says, Be sure to come to class prepared! 6.) Write an anecdote about a time when you lost something. Ex. I ll never forget the time I took off my brand new mittens in the car. When I got out I must have dropped them in the parking lot. I never saw them again! Next time I ll clip my mittens to my sleeves!

2 7.) List at least four informative verbs and use them to write a topic sentence for the following report: TOPIC: Our School in Idea #1: Teachers Main Idea #2: Specials (music, art) Main Idea #3: After School Activities Ex. learn about, discover, explore, discuss You ll learn about our teachers, explore specials such as music and art, and discover the range of after school activities here at Wilson School. 8.) Use the detail generating questions, What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate on the following fact: Giraffes have long necks. Ex. Giraffes have long, powerful necks that allow them to reach into tall trees and eat leaves. 9.) Use the detail generating questions, What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate on the following fact: It s important to wash your hands. Ex. It s important to wash your hands with warm water and soap to prevent the spread of disease. 10.) Use the detail generating questions, What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate on the following fact: You should have an umbrella. Ex. You should have a sturdy, collapsible umbrella to protect you in an unexpected rain shower. 11.) Here is the title of a student s expository report. What do you think the topic is? World s Tallest Trees Ex. sequoia (or redwoods)

3 12.) Imagine you are writing a report about our president. What might your pre-writing plan, including topic and main ideas, look like? Ex. TOPIC: Our president Main Idea #1: early life Main Idea #2: college and young adult life Main Idea #3: political campaigns/election Main Idea #4: accomplishments in office 13.) Make a list of at least three definitive words or phrases and use one of them in a sentence. Ex. clearly, certainly, of course, definitely, without a doubt Without a doubt, this has been the worst winter we ve seen in recent years. 14.) Think of advice your mom or dad have given you. Use a direct quote to communicate this advice. Ex. My dad always says, I don t care if you fail, as long as you tried your best! 15.) Write a personal anecdote to illustrate the following sentence: It s important to write down assignments. Ex. Just last month I didn t bother to write down the date of our science test and I forgot to study! I could have done much better and raised my grade if I d written down the date. 16.) Make a list of at least four informative verbs and use two of them in a single sentence. Ex. discover, learn, uncover, disclose, illustrate, show, teach, explore, examine We will examine owl pellets to discover what these birds of prey eat.

4 17.) Use What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate on the following sentence: Drink fluids when you have a fever. Ex. Drink plenty of clear liquids when you have a fever to stay hydrated. 18.) Use What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate on the following sentence: Dress warm in winter. Ex. Wear warm socks and gloves and a heavy down coat to keep you warm and stay healthy in winter weather. 19.) Carolina is writing a report about George Washington. Use word referents to create a title for her report. Ex. Our First President, Father of America, General, Founding Father, President 20.) Rewrite this paraphrased statement as a direct quote. Be sure to use quotation marks and a tag line. Ms. Parker tells us to get outside and excerise. Ex. Ms. Parker says, "Get outside and exercise!" or "Get outside and exercise," shouts Ms. Parker. 21.) Use the questions 'What does it "look" like? Why is it important?" to elaborate on the detail sentence, below: Elephants have long trunks. Ex. Elephants have long, flexible trunks to assist them in eating. 22.) Rewrite this paraphrased statement as a direct quote. Be sure to use quotation marks and a tag line. Ms. Parker tells us to get outside and exercise. Ex. Ms. Parker says, "Get outside and exercise!" or "Get outside and exercise," shouts Ms. Parker.

5 23.) Rewrite this title using word referents: My Grandmother Ex. My Favorite Elder or My Mom's Mom or The Best Kind of Wonderful 24.) Look at the main ideas in this student's expository report. Name the topic! TOPIC: M.I. #1: many different breeds M.I. #2: excellent companions M.I. #3: help people in many ways M.I. #4: adoption 25.) Add a definitive word or phrase to the following sentence: Doing well in school takes some effort. Ex. Clearly, doing well in school takes some effort. (Without a doubt, Certainly, etc.) 26.) Use an anecdote to illustrate the following sentence: It s good to dress in layers when the weather is changing. Ex. Just last week it was about forty degrees when I left my house in the morning. By noon it was seventy degrees. I was glad I d worn a short-sleeved shirt under a sweater. At lunch I just whipped off the sweater and was dressed appropriately for the temperature! 27.) Revise this using a direct quote: My sister says that the days are getting shorter. Ex. My sister says, The days are getting shorter.

6 28.) Use the questions: What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate on the following information: The turtle has a hard shell. Ex. The turtle has a hard black and brown ridged shell to protect its body from predators and camouflage it in its habitat. 29.) Revise this sentence using informative verbs: This report is about migrating birds and the routes they take. Ex. We ll learn about migrating birds and discover the routes they take. 30.) Imagine you re writing an expository report on transportation. Write an interesting title for your report: Ex. Getting from Here to There By Land, Sea, and Air 31.) Revise this topic sentence using informative verbs: This report is about planets, moons, and stars. (Ex. We ll learn about planets, explore moons, and discover the characteristics of stars.) 32.) Revise this sentence using informative verbs: We ll read about ancient Rome - its history and myths. Ex. We ll read about ancient Rome - exploring its history and discovering its myths. 33.) Revise this sentence, showing rather than telling through the use of an anecdote: You shouldn t leave personal belongings where a new puppy can get at them. Ex. My friend Sean left his new baseball mitt on the floor beside his bed. His golden retriever puppy confused it with a rawhide toy and chewed it up! If Sean had put his glove away he and his puppy would be happier!

7 34.) Revise this conclusion sentence using a definitive word or phrase: Abe Lincoln was a great American. Ex. Without a doubt, Abe Lincoln was 35.) Revise this sentence using the questions, What does it look like? Why is it important? : You should wear a helmet when you ride your bike. Ex. You should wear a properly fitted helmet when you ride your bike to prevent serious injuries in case of a fall or an accident. 36.) Revise this sentence using informative verbs: We ll read about ancient Rome - its history and myths. Ex. We ll read about ancient Rome - exploring its history and discovering its myths. 37.) Rewrite this boring report title using word referents: All About Coyotes Ex. Wild Dogs in our Midst 38.) Revise this sentence using an anecdote that shows, rather than tells: I remember how much fun it was to go swimming. Ex. Last summer my best friend Luke and I played water basketball in his built-in pool. We d follow that up with a game of Marco Polo. 39.) Add a definitive word or phrase to add a little punch to this conclusion sentence: Derek Jeter is a great baseball player. Ex. Derek Jeter is, without a doubt, a great baseball player.

8 40.) Read this topic sentence. Write out the author s pre-writing plan using the summary form, below: We will examine the muskrat s appearance, explore its habitat, and study its behavior. TOPIC: TOPIC: Muskrat Main Idea #1: Main Idea #1: appearance Main Idea #2: Main Idea #2: habitat Main Idea #3: Main Idea #3: behavior 41.) Write two different word referents for the following topic word: ipod Ex. instant music device portable music library 42.) Apply the questions, What does it look like? Why is it important? to the following detail sentence: It s good to have a flashlight. Ex. It s important to have a sturdy flashlight with new batteries to provide light in an emergency situation. 43.) Revise this topic sentence using informative verbs: This report is about planets, moons, and stars. Ex. We ll learn about planets, explore moons, and discover the characteristics of stars. 44.) Revise this sentence using specific examples: It s fun to play board games. Ex. Who doesn t enjoy a game of Monopoly, Sorry, or Scrabble?

9 45.) Write an anecdote to illustrate this sentence: Playing with a dog can be fun. Ex. Whenever I go to my friend Lisa s house we play tug-of-war with her dog Jasper. Not only is it great exercise, but we laugh until we cry watching him growl and pull with all his might! 46.) Use a definitive word or phrase to add some Umph to this sentence: Carpooling is one way to cut down on pollution. Ex. Carpooling is certainly/definitely/absolutely 47.) Rewrite this sentence from a science report using What does it look like? to help elaborate: Whales are ocean-dwelling mammals. Ex. Whales are huge ocean-dwelling mammals that resemble fish. 48.) Rewrite this sentence from a science report using Why is it important? to help elaborate: Toads are brownish land-dwelling amphibians. Ex. Their brown color helps camouflage them in their habitat. 49.) Write an anecdote to illustrate the following sentence: Studying for a spelling test is definitely worth the effort! (Ex. I remember the time I studied for a solid hour and scored 100% on my test!) 50.) Revise this sentence using the question: What does it look like, why is it important? We have to put our Christmas lights around the front door. ( Ex. We have to hang strands of multi-colored, blinking Christmas lights around the front door to add a bit of holiday cheer.) 51.) Write a direct quote for the following: My mother says that eating breakfast is important. (Ex. My mother says, Eating breakfast is important! )

10 52.) Write an anecdote to demonstrate the following: Family gatherings are fun. (Ex. I look forward to Thanksgiving each year when my cousins and I play touch football in the yard.) 53.) Revise the sentence from an expository report. Use the questions What does it look like? Why is it important? to elaborate. The chameleon s scaly skin can change color in a matter of seconds. (Ex. The chameleon's scaly skin can turn from dull brown to dark green in a matter of seconds. This helps to camoflage this lizard from its enemies.) 54.) Read the pre-writing plan for this author s science report. Write a summary for this using informative verbs. Your summary must be written in complete sentences: TOPIC: Desert 1.) climate 2.) plants 3.) animals (The author decribes the desert and explore the climate, plants, and animals in this habitat.) 55.) Here are three informative verbs: learn, explore, discuss Make a list of at least three more. (discover, describes, uncover, delve into, reflect on, read about, etc.) 56.) Use informative verbs to enhance this sentence: The chapter is about dinosaurs. (Ex. The chapter describes and discusses dinosaurs.)

11 57.) These directions are missing something! Write a directive sentence that makes sense between the two given. First, decide what you want on the menu and order it. Save your change so that you can buy an ice cream on your way home. (Ex: Pay for your purchase.) 58.) Write two or three sentences explaining what you did in your last phys. ed class. Be sure to use good sentence variety and powerful word choice. (EX. Yesterday during phys. ed we ran relay races. We formed three teams and practiced passing the baton smoothly. Our team lost the first two races, but won the last race. It was all about working together - teamwork!) 59.) Think about a unit or topic you learned about this year in science. Fill in a summarizing framework explaining the main ideas in this unit: TOPIC: MAIN IDEA #1: MAIN IDEA #2: MAIN IDEA #3: etc. (EX. Topic: Global Warming, Main Idea #1: causes, Main Idea #2: effects, Main Idea #3: world responses)