1. Ways to develop the topic of your informational writing piece: Ways to develop the topic of your informational writing piece: Relevant facts/concrete details Relevant facts/concrete details Definitions Definitions Quotations Quotations Examples Examples Developing the Topic Activity: Developing the Topic Activity: Compare and contrast the following model paragraphs. At the bottom, explain how the details, definitions, quotations, and examples develop the topic of Anne Sullivan’s perseverance. Compare and contrast the following model paragraphs. At the bottom, explain how the details, definitions, quotations, and examples develop the topic of Anne Sullivan’s perseverance.

2. Anne first displayed her persevering drive by not letting her tragic childhood bring her down. Her mother and brother died. She lived at an institution. She finally went to school.

3. Anne Sullivan became a teacher. Anne was hired as the tutor of Helen Keller, a young girl who was deaf and blind. Helen's inability to interact with the world around her led to wild behavior and a fiery temper. Anne was able to teach Helen to communicate by signing a manual alphabet into her hand.

4. In the details section of your prewriting organizer, add as many relevant facts, concrete details, definitions, quotations, and examples as you can to develop the topic. In the details section of your prewriting organizer, add as many relevant facts, concrete details, definitions, quotations, and examples as you can to develop the topic. Trade prewriting organizers with the person at your table. Check each other’s pieces to see if more details are needed to develop the topic. Trade prewriting organizers with the person at your table. Check each other’s pieces to see if more details are needed to develop the topic.

5. Write down the sentence that is more interesting and then explain why: Write down the sentence that is more interesting and then explain why: “He walked over to receive his award.” “He walked over to receive his award.” “The 6’4” basketball player strutted across the court to receive the MVP trophy.” “The 6’4” basketball player strutted across the court to receive the MVP trophy.” Precise language and domain-specific vocabulary helps inform about a topic. Precise language and domain-specific vocabulary helps inform about a topic.

6. Precise language: words that make a description as clear and sharp as possible Precise language: words that make a description as clear and sharp as possible “Wild behavior and fiery temper” instead of “bad attitude” “Wild behavior and fiery temper” instead of “bad attitude” “Sling” instead of “throw” “Sling” instead of “throw” Domain-specific vocabulary: words that relate to a certain field Domain-specific vocabulary: words that relate to a certain field If the biography is about a doctor, then there would be medical terms. If the biography is about a doctor, then there would be medical terms. If the biography is about a baseball player, there would be baseball terms. If the biography is about a baseball player, there would be baseball terms. If the biography is about a scientist, there would be scientific terms. If the biography is about a scientist, there would be scientific terms.

7. In your rough draft, highlight in green at least three places where you have used precise language or domain-specific vocabulary. If you cannot find any, revise your paper to include some now. In your rough draft, highlight in green at least three places where you have used precise language or domain-specific vocabulary. If you cannot find any, revise your paper to include some now. Hint: Right click on words and choose an interesting synonym. Hint: Right click on words and choose an interesting synonym. Only choose words that you know Only choose words that you know Reread the sentence to make sure the new word makes sense Reread the sentence to make sure the new word makes sense

8. What are transitions? What are transitions? Transitions: words and phrases such as for example, mainly, and in addition that connect ideas in writing. Transitions: words and phrases such as for example, mainly, and in addition that connect ideas in writing. What is the purpose of transitions? What is the purpose of transitions? Transitions connect ideas and make text easier to understand. Transitions connect ideas and make text easier to understand.

9. Transitional Words and Phrases Compare/ Contrast also, however, on the other hand, although, in the same way, similarly, another, like, too, but, likewise, unlike, moreover, yet Cause/ Effect as a result, consequently, so, because, since, therefore Timeabout, finally, often, after, first, second, soon, then, at last, immediately, thereafter, before, later, until, during, meanwhile, when, eventually, next, while Placeabove, beneath, into, across, beside, near, among, between, next, around, by, over, before, down, behind, under, below Supportfor example, for instance, in fact