Carolyn C. Smith
Expository Writing
Objectives:
The students will be able to:
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1. identify what constitutes expository writing.
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2. distinguish between comparison, contrast, and analogy.
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3. write expository paragraphs.
Vocabulary:
exposition, comparison, contrast, analogy
Brainstorming Questions:
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1. Why do people who are running for public office always make speeches?
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2. If you wanted someone to vote for you, would you make a speech?
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3. What’s the first thing you do when you go to the library to check out a book?
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4. Why do you think all textbooks have a preface or an introductory page?
Procedures:
Introduce and explain the terms above. Complete the brainstorming exercises. Discuss the techniques presented in this unit to develop expository writings. Once the students have mastered those skills, they should be guided to choose one of the comparisons, contrasts, or analogies, using the techniques, to develop an expository paragraph. The less able students may be encouraged to use the restatement technique to write their paragraphs. Some suggested questions are listed below.
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1. Why is it hotter during the summer months?
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2. How do you bake cookies?
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3. Why is a dog a good pet to have?
Related Activities:
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1. Have the students to scan magazines and the newspaper to find expository articles. Share with the class.
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2. Have the students to chart the time of sunrise and sunset for one week. After noting and discussing what has happened, have them to write an expository paragraph telling what they observed.
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3. At random, choose students to give directions to get to certain points in the school or city.