E XPOSITORY W RITING Contributions from “Writing to Command Success” Workshop By Mark Diamond

E XPOSITORY / INFORMATIVE WRITING Directions/How tos Reports about: books, people, places, objects, experiments, history, surveys * Goal – give clear information & get somebody excited about your subject.

3 A’ S OF W RITING Attitude – We love mistakes! We’re not afraid to make spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. We will fix those mistakes later!

A TMOSPHERE Eliminate distractions Soft lighting Smooth jazz music – covers distracting noise

A CTIVITIES Write about topics that fascinate you! Favorite tv, movie, music, sport Favorite hobby or pet A special person in your life How to do something you enjoy A report about a SS or Science topic Review a favorite book, movie or play

T OPIC 1 The PTA wants to honor a local hero at their next meeting. They believe that many people in our community are heroes. Write a report about your hero. Think carefully about why this particular person is your hero and be sure to include specific details to support your choice.

T OPIC 2 Everyone has an activity that they enjoy doing. It might be playing an instrument, reading a book, or playing a sport. Think of reason why you enjoy an activity. Write a report about your activity.

T OPIC 3 Some people cherish their pets. Responsibilities and rewards are part of owning a pet. Write a report about your favorite pet, including how to choose and care for your pal.

F IVE S TEPS Step 1 – Planning (How Line) Step 2 – Sloppy Copy Step 3 – Revising Step 4 – Proofread Step 5 – Neat Sheet

T RICK #1 T HE HOW! L INE Without it, your report will ramble & lack direction. Expository Topic: Write a report about your favorite pet, including how to choose and care for your pal.

Beginning Middle End Lead Show Meet Highlight 1 Highlight 2 Highlight 3 How Moment! Really? Closing

T RICK #2 H OW M OMENT ! Fill this out first! Choose your most fascinating & compelling piece of information. Pick a highlight that will rock your readers – Usually it’s about how something happens

How Moment How to teach your bird to talk. Really?

T RICK 3 “SHOW” Relate an experience Interaction/Dialogue to create or recall a short experience that introduces your topic. Make up portions you can’t remember or create a realistic scene, esp. one that will get readers thinking or talking

How momentHow to teach your bird to talk Show Show how people made fun of me having a bird instead of a dog or cat.

T RICK #4 M EET Meet your subject. Help the reader get to know your subject. Provide some basic information and a lead-in to the HIGHLIGHTS that will follow.

How momentHow to teach your bird to talk Show Show how people made fun of me having a bird instead of a dog or cat. Meet Parakeets in parrot family. Can have 1 or 2. Don’t need lots of attention. Tips Follow.

How momentHow to teach your bird to talk Show Show how people made fun of me having a bird instead of a dog or cat. Meet Parakeets in parrot family. Can have 1 or 2. Don’t need lots of attention. Tips Follow. Highlight 1 Choosing the keet. Good store. Puffiness. Get a young one. Color Bars. Active one. Highlight 2Bringing it home. Decorate cage. Radio. Seed and water. Changing cage bottom. Highlight 3 Important safety tip. No drafts! Put cage In corner of busy area. Closing Can’t walk them, but cute & easy. Don’t eat sofas. Don’t mess carpet.