Goal: Researchers will learn how to look for commonalities and differences between nonfiction texts in preparation for their informational essays

Academic Conversation Comparing and contrasting are ways of looking at objects and thinking about how they are alike and different. In what ways are Kalpona and Malala similar? In what ways are they different? What common TRAITS do they share?

Academic Conversation Informational essays, sometimes called expository essays, can be used for many purposes. They can compare viewpoints on a controversial subject as long as they don’t include the author’s opinions. Informational essays should be OBJECTIVE and not SUBJECTIVE. An informational essay may analyze data, like in a cause and effect situation, or educate the audience on ways to do something, like solving a certain kind of problem. The purpose of an informational essay is to EDUCATE and RAISE AWARENESS of the topic to the audience.

Academic Conversation Titles are designed to inform the audience what the topic is about. Titles should be short and sweet. It shouldn’t give EVERYTHING away. It should HOOK the reader. It should be EXCITING and TRUE You can use trigger words to get your point across. Trigger words are words that initiates a process or course of action. Trigger words may include: How, Why, What, When I.E. Equal Education: Why do we need it You can include the SUBJECT of what the essay is going to be about and a BRIEF OVERVIEW of what to expect. I.E. Teen Activism: Overcoming Social Challenges Overcoming Social Challenges Through Teen Activism Teen Activists Raise Awareness on Social Issues

Structure of an Informational Essay Introduction The beginning needs to present the topic and grab the attention of the audience. It needs to include the topic sentence for the entire essay. The topic sentence is essentially your CENTRAL IDEA. It is what your essay is going to be about.

Formulating Our Introduction Thesis statement: Teen activists overcome challenges through perseverance and determination. Teen activists stand up for what they believe in. Malala Yousafzi became a symbol for equal education world wide. Kalpona Akter was determined to change the work force laws in Bangladesh so people who worked in factories would have fair and equal rights.

Introduction Sample Teen activists overcome challenges through perseverance and determination. Teen activists stand up for what they believe in. They protect their beliefs even at the cost of their own livelihood and safety. Malala Yousafzi became a symbol for equal education world wide. Kalpona Akter was determined to change the work force laws in Bangladesh so people would have fair and equal rights. These two women overcame momentous challenges through perseverance and determination.

Structure of an Informational Essay Body paragraphs The middle will be the main bulk of the essay and it will contain all the important facts that you are covering. This is where the audience will get their questions answered. Remember to answer these questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Remember to remain OBJECTIVE. An informational essay is meant to EDUCATE. Provide supplemental information to RAISE AWARENESS. I.E. – Statistics, data, testimonials (quotes), eye witnesses, etc. Refrain from inserting your opinion.

Formulating Our Body Paragraphs Malala Yousafzi became a symbol for equal education world wide. She believed that all children around the world should have equal education. Malala says, "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen, can change the world.“ (Kristin Lewis “Malala the Powerful” 3). She was shot standing up for what she believed in, however she was determined to show the world the value of equal education.

Body Paragraph Sample Malala Yousafzi became a symbol for equal education world wide. She believed that all children around the world should have equal education. Malala says, "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen, can change the world.“ (Kristin Lewis “Malala the Powerful” 3). She wanted to change the social perception and expectations of women world wide. She was shot standing up for what she believed in, however she was determined to show the world the value of equal education.

Structure of an Informational Essay Conclusion The end is a conclusion where you will summarize the essay. It should make the reader or listener want to learn more about the topic. Remember the point of the essay is to ENGAGE the audience, RAISE AWARENESS of the topic, and EDUCATE the audience. WHAT DID WE LEARN? WHAT CAN WE TAKE AWAY?

Formulating Our Conclusion Through preservance and determination, Malala Yousafzi and Kalpona Akter overcame momentous challenges. (REWORD THESIS) Malala Yousafzi was determined to show the world that girls can be more than just a wife that cooks, but someone who can shape the future. Kalpona Akter taught us that even in the face of poverty and starvation, we must stand up for what we believe to better our situation. These girls showed that it just takes one voice to change the world.

Conclusion Sample Through perseverance and determination, Malala Yousafzi and Kalpona Akter overcame momentous challenges. Malala Yousafzi was determined to show the world that girls can be more than just a wife that cooks, but someone who can shape the future. She stood up for what she believed in even with the Taliban threatening her life. Kalpona Akter taught us that even in the face of poverty and starvation, we must stand up for what we believe to better our situation. She was able to change and create laws that would protect factory workers and guarantee fairer wages. These girls showed that it sometimes just takes one voice. They showed us that through perseverance and determination, they were able to change the world.

Informational Essay Outline Introduction: Introduce your thesis (refer to writing prompts) First paragraph: Talk about a teen activist Second paragraph: Talk about a DIFFERENT teen activist Third paragraph: Talk about how they are alike and how they inspire us Conclusion: Tie everything together. How do they serve to help us better the future?

Informational Essay Writing Prompts Teen activists need help from adults such as _________ and __________. Teen activists tend to come from places of extreme __________ such as with _________. Teen activists shed light on difficult experiences such as with _______, ________, and ________. Teen activists face many obstacles such as with ________, _________, and __________. Teen activists overcome challenges through ________ and __________.

Citation Citation is important to any informational or expository writing assignment. It shows the audience WHERE you got your information. It shows the audience how RELIABLE your information is. It shows that you REFERRED to experts in the field to support your work. When citing a quote, put a parenthesis directly after your quote. Include the author’s name if applicable and include the name of the article OR book title as well as the page #. The period is AFTER the parenthesis. Articles are put around quotations. Books are bolded and underlined. I.E. “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” (Malala Yousafzi “Malala The Powerful” 6). “Quote” (Author “Article” #).

Works Cited Works Cited is the LAST PAGE on your paper. It includes ALL THE SOURCES you used to prove your point. It shows the audience WHERE YOU GOT YOUR INFORMATION. It should be listed alphabetically by author’s LAST NAME. Last name, First name. “Title of Article” Title of Magazine. Month. Year. Type. Lewis, Kristin. “Malala the Powerful” Scholastic Scope. September Print. Lewis, Kristin. “Why are your clothes so cheap?” Scholastic Scope. September Print. Lewis, Kristin. “A Child Slave in California” Scholastic Scope. September Print.