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The keys to an effective paragraph: Expository paragraphs need: A title A topic sentence Transitions Good explanations and examples A conclusion

The Five Elements of Expository Writing Organization is the key. Topic sentences and thesis statements are the heart. Transitions are the glue. Examples, evidence, and explanations are the meat. Conclusions tie it all together.

Great Expository Paragraphs Organization is the key.

Using Colors to Teach Organization Go Back! Stop! Slow Down Go! Write a topic sentence Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition. Explain. Give an example. Remind the reader of your topic. 2.11

Topic Sentence: Green means “go.” Green asks the writer to decide— –“What am I going to prove?” (reason) –“What am I going to explain?” (detail) –“What information will I share?” (fact)

Reasons/Details/Facts: Yellow means “slow down.” Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence. The main supporting ideas (reasons, details or facts) for the topic sentence. Look for common patterns or categories in the brainstorming. 2.11

Explain: Red means “stop and explain.” Present evidence. Provide explanation and examples. 2.11

Conclusion: Green means “go back to your topic.” Restate the topic and the position. Do not introduce new information. Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember. 2.11

ACTIVITY ONE Cats…

Brainstorm: Ways cats protect themselves Ways cats protect themselves

Accordion Paragraph Fold paper (hamburger, & again) Add colored dots Fill in complete sentences.

TOPIC REASON/DETAIL/FACT EXPLAIN 1-24

REASON/DETAIL/FACT EXPLAIN CONCLUSION

TOPIC Cats protect themselves in two ways. REASON/DETAIL/FACT First, they are able to get away quickly from their enemies. EXPLAIN Cat are fast runners. EXPLAIN They can climb trees, too. 2.8

REASON/DETAIL/FACT Next, cats are good fighters. EXPLAIN Cats’ sharp claws can inflict pain and discourage attackers. EXPLAIN They can also use their pointed incisors to bite their enemies when necessary. CONCLUSION Felines can take care of themselves. 2.8

Other Kinds of Outlines: Shapes Topic=____________________  _______________________  _______________________

Other Kinds of Outlines: Letters Topic=____________________ R (reason)_________________ e (explain)_______________ e ______________________ R (reason)_________________ e (explain)________________ e ______________________

Write on colored strips Write each sentence from the outline on the corresponding colored strip. Green= topic and conclusion Yellow= main supporting ideas (R/D/F) Red= examples, explanations, evidence

Outline to Paragraph If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. time spending it.

Outline to Paragraph If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. time spending it. First, I would go shopping.

Outline to Paragraph If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. time spending it. First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must.

Outline to Paragraph If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. time spending it. First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must. Next, I would travel.

Outline to Paragraph If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. time spending it. First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstrom is a must. Next, I would travel. Visiting Paris has always been a dream.

Outline to Paragraph If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. time spending it. First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstrom is a must. Next, I would travel. Visiting Paris has always been a dream. Being wealthy would clearly provide many interesting benefits.

Fun Being Rich First, I would go shopping. Next, I would travel If I had a million dollars, I would have a good time spending it. First, I would go shopping. A new wardrobe from Nordstroms is a must. Next, I would travel. Visiting Paris has always been a dream. Being wealthy would clearly provide many interesting benefits.

Reasons Outline Safety reasons Social reasons Help yourself Save others Parties Vacations Summertime Topic= Reasons for Learning to Swim 2.15

Facts Outline Andes Mountains Rocky Mountains 4,500 miles In South America Longest mountain chain Height 10,000 ft. 3,000 miles Mexico to Alaska Made by volcanic activity Topic= Mountain Ranges 2.15

My father is very strict; however, he has good reasons for all his rules. However Statements Creates a compound sentence Independent clauses are joined by a conjunctive adverb The “however” is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.

However Statements Conjunctive Adverbs –As a result -However –Consequently -Therefore –Furthermore -Nevertheless –In fact –Meanwhile –Likewise

“Things Trap” Weak: As I read about Ben Franklin, I learned two things. Better: As I read about Ben Franklin, I learned that his life was filled with challenges.

Expository Paragraphs Need Transitions Transitions are the glue for the key ideas Transitions

Expository Paragraphs Need Transitions Transitions: (Direct attention like a ringmaster of the circus) Without them, it is like beginning to drive a stick shift…jerky! –Introduce new key ideas –Connect reasons, details, or facts –Help the writer and the reader

Placement of Transitions The transition goes with each yellow idea. On your outline, include the transition in the yellow section.

Topic= Advice to a new teacher 4-5,6,7,8,9

(First) Get Organized (Second) Get a mentor First, a new teacher should get organized. Second, a new teacher should get a mentor. Topic= Advice to a new teacher

Common Transition Sets-List A Give students a copy. One way-Another way First-Another-Next First-Second-Third The first-The second One-Then-Another One-Also One example-Another example A good-A better-The best One-Another-Finally First of all-Second- Last First of all-Next-The final First of all-in addition-Finally First-In addition- Equally important

More Transition Sets At first-After One-Equally important The first-The second To begin-Then consequently It started when-As a result-Then-Thereafter At the beginning-Then-Following this-Finally One important-Another important-The most important Initially-Then-After that As soon as-Next-Later-In the end To begin-At the same time-Finally To start-Furthermore-Additionally-Last

Vary Your Transitions First, a new teacher should get organized. Change to: One important idea is for a new teacher to get organized.

Bury Your Transitions Instead of: Second, a new teacher should get a mentor. Try: Getting a mentor is a second key to success.

Vary and Bury Your Transitions Instead of: Second, a new teacher should get a mentor. Instead of: Getting a mentor is a second key to success. –Try: Finding a mentor is another key to success.

Transitional Expressions Transitions for a specific text structure –To explain a cause or an effect Because of As a result Since Consequently

Great Expository Paragraphs Examples, evidence, and explanations are the meat. –Information to back up your reasons, details, or facts.

The “E”s The E’s support your topic sentence. E’s make your writing interesting and believable: -Examples-Events -Explanations-Experiences -Elaborations-Expert opinions -Evidence-Effective Illustrations -Everyday life

Guided Highlighting Creatures of all sizes find ways to keep themselves clean. Large animals like elephants head to rivers to cool off and clean up. After bathing in the cool water the elephant powders itself. Elephants use dust as powder to keep the bugs from biting. Smaller animals like rabbits also take time to clean. They often lick their ears and scrub them to keep them clean. Finally, little creatures like birds enjoy bathing in puddles. When they finish, they comb their feathers. This is called preening. Bath time, it seems, isn’t just for you and me.

Writing Great Conclusions Conclusions tie it all together.

Tips for Writing Conclusions Restate the position using different words. Use the same idea as the topic sentence, but state it differently.

Tips for Writing Conclusions Avoid: (Weakens statement) As I have said As I have proved As you can see

Tips for Writing Conclusions 6.Vary the sentence structure 7.Use a quotation 8.Imitate the professionals (Use literature for examples)

Group Activity: Summing it up T = Tennessee, a great place to live. Get in groups of 6. (One note card for each.) #1- Write topic sentence (Remember to use one of the 3 types) #2 1 st yellow with transition #3 Red for 1 st yellow idea #4 2 nd yellow with transition #5 Red for 2nd yellow idea #6 Writes concluding sentence

Use descriptive Words Charlotte’s Web WHOACTIONFINISH CharlottehelpsWilber Templetoneatsleftovers Wilbersleepsin the straw

Elementary Charlotte’s Web WHOACTIONFINISH CharlottehelpsWilber a brilliant spider, enables, rescues, befriends comforts, encourages to have hope. Templetoneatsleftovers a fat, greedy rat consumes, devoursat the fair. Wilbersleepsin the straw an innocent pig,slumbers, snoozesall day long.

(thesis) Even though Ben Franklin was seventy years old at the time of the Revolution, he still had a lot to do with the independence of the colonies. (plan) Helping the colonists, informing people of the world about the revolution, and serving on many committees were some of the important things that he did. InformingHelpingServingConclusion 4.20

Come to a Smooth Stop Don’t write “THE END.” Instead, finish with a strong sentence that will help your reader Feel a feeling ending –Tori lived in Mobridge for the next fifteen years, and she never forgot the kindness that the children shared that first day. Remember a character ending –No one spoke up, but everyone knew that it was Edgar, the class clown, who gave Mrs. Anderson the flowers and the thank-you card. Get your point ending –The children finally understood what the police officer said about hitchhiking. Think about the story ending –Sometimes it pays to help someone, even if they don’t appreciate it!

Editing with CUPS Capitalization Usage Punctuation Spelling