Explanatory/Informative Writing 2016

Requirements Goal: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. STEPS Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as: definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. Establish and maintain a formal style. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented.

INFORMATIVE or EXPLANATORY Informative essays, can compare viewpoints on controversial subjects. They 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. For example: An informative essay might explain the pros and cons of the death penalty, using statistics on crime rate reduction as a pro and statistics on innocent men being found guilty as a con.  An informative essay might analyze whether lack of education is a cause of homelessness by using statistics and information about the educational attainment of homeless men and women. 

Qualities of Strong INFORMATIVE TEXT Synthesize and analyze ideas from the stimuli (articles, text…) to develop and support a controlling idea Use sources, facts, and details effectively Select appropriate text structure (organizational pattern) Choose a variety of elaboration techniques Vary sentence structures Students must learn to read and write “short” responses for multiple audiences using multiple sources.

for the body paragraphs **Also known as, topic sentence

***includes CONTROLLING IDEA

Levels of Support Bare Extended Layered Elaborated Minimal support/evidence for the writer’s claim. Little if any use of sources, facts, or details. May include irrelevant evidence or citations from the source material Uneven, cursory support/evidence for the writer’s claim. Partial use of sources, facts, and details. May be weakly integrated, erratic, or irrelevant. Adequate support, citing evidence for the writer’s claim that includes the use of sources, facts, and details. Generally integrated and relevant evidence Thorough, convincing, and credible support. Cites evidence from writer’s claim using sources, facts, and details. Smoothly integrated and relevant evidence. Precise references to sources.

Four Levels of Support Nutritional supplements improve health. Bare Extended Layered Elaborated Nutritional supplements improve health. Nutritional supplements improve health because “fats play a vital role in our cardiovascular health”. Nutritional supplements improve health because “fats play a vital role in our cardiovascular health”. For someone who has heart problems, taking healthy fat supplements like omega 3 fatty acids could be beneficial. Nutritional supplements improve our heart health because “fats play a vital role in our cardiovascular health”. For someone who has heart problems, Dr. Ward explained that taking supplements like “monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and the super-healthy fats omega 3 fatty acids, can actually improve the overall health of the heart”. Supplementing your diet with good fats can be beneficial for combatting heart disease.

Evidence vs. Elaboration  Define Evidence: Relevant pieces of text information that support the topic sentence of the body paragraph  Define Elaboration: Explanation of the evidence and how it supports the topic sentence of the body paragraph  Explain the difference between: Evidence Elaboration All topic sentences support the controlling idea!

Sentence Stems Elaboration This shows… To clarify, … Clearly, … This proves… Therefore, … Due to overwhelming evidence, … This illustrates… In other words, … This demonstrates… This suggests that… Evidence In the text, it states… According to the text, … In the article , it explains… The author, , wrote… The graphic shows… One example from the passage is… The author claims… Additionally, …

Cloze Activity School lunches have changed recently to offer children healthier choices. The text states, In other words, . A few examples . Clearly, . Additionally, . These changes illustrate

Role of Reader + Role of Writer Role of the Reader Establish a purpose for reading Unpack the prompt Read and mark text Role of the Writer Create a controlling idea Plan the response Write essay

Key Words to Know Informative/Explanatory Writing Controlling Idea Evidence Elaboration Unbiased Formal Citations Quotes Summaries Paraphrases

Key Words to Know Informative/Explanatory Writing Controlling Idea A type of writing where you inform the reader Controlling Idea The thesis in an informative/explanatory essay Evidence Citations from the given sources that support the controlling idea and the main idea of each body paragraph Elaboration Explanation and interpretation of the evidence Unbiased Showing NO preference Formal Professional and proper Citations A way to let the reader know the information used is not YOUR original thought or work. The following are types of citations: Quotes Direct and exact words from original source Summaries A shortened version of a longer piece Paraphrases Someone else’s statements in the writer’s words

Introduction for an Argumentative Essay ***Copy the following information Set the context –provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic. State why the main idea is important –tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a clear and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon. State your thesis/claim –compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support with logos (sound reasoning: induction, deduction), pathos (balanced emotional appeal), and ethos (author credibility) The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions: What is this? Why am I reading it? What do you want me to do? You should answer these questions by following the steps above:

Body Paragraphs The four elements of a good paragraph (TTEB) A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements:  Transition, Topic sentence, specific Evidence and analysis, and a Brief wrap-up sentence (also known as a warrant) –TTEB!

Counterargument When you rebut or refute an opposing position, use the following three-part organization: The opponent’s argument: At the beginning of your paragraph, you need to state, accurately and fairly, the main points of the argument you will refute. Your position: Next, make clear the nature of your disagreement with the argument or position you are refuting or opposing. Your refutation: Counter the argument and make it clear why it’s not “correct”. This is the knocking off the stool part.

Conclusion Your conclusion should begin pulling back into more general information that restates the main points of your argument. Conclusions may also call for action or overview future possible research. The following outline may help you conclude your paper: Restate your topic and why it is important, Restate your thesis/claim, Address opposing viewpoints and explain why readers should align with your position, Call for action or overview future research possibilities.

Conclusion Your conclusion should begin pulling back into more general information that restates the main points of your argument. Conclusions may also call for action or overview future possible research. The following outline may help you conclude your paper: Restate your topic and why it is important, Restate your thesis(claim or controlling idea), Summarize main points mentioned in the body of the essay, Call for action, final deep thought, and/or tie back to the hook in the introduction.