Post on 19-Jun-2015
Informative Writing
Week 5, Part 2
Today
1. Informative Writing: Specifics2. Informative Writing Exercise3. Quiz
Word-of-the-day
Taciturn: silent and reserved by nature.
His taciturn manner was disarming.Everyone thought Shingo was taciturn.
Grammar-rama
They practised twice; therefore, the presentation went very smoothly. They practised twice; therefore, the
presentation went very smoothly. They practised twice, therefore, the
presentation went very smoothly. They practised twice therefore; the
presentation went very smoothly.
Grammar-rama
The novel suggests a “way out” for the narrator, however, she never ends up leaving. The novel suggests a “way out” for the
narrator, however, she never ends up leaving. The novel suggests a “way out” for the
narrator; however, she never ends up leaving. The novel suggests a “way out” for the
narrator, however; she never ends up leaving.
Grammar-rama
Coordinating Conjunctions FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so Combines two independent clauses
Grammar-rama
Conjunctive Adverbs however, therefore, meanwhile, hence,
moreover These don’t change anything!
Subordinating Conjunctions after, although, as, because, before, even though,
if, once, rather, than, since, that, though, unless, while
Turns an otherwise independent clause into a dependent
Grammar-rama
She is standing at the bus, hence, she wants a ride.
Coordinating Conjunction She is standing at the bus, so she wants a ride.Conjunctive Adverb She is standing at the bus; hence, she wants a
ride.Subordinating Conjunction She is standing at the bus because she wants a
ride.
Grammar-rama
The CFO works in Victoria however she often attends conferences in Ottawa.
The CFO works in Victoria, but on occasion, however, she attends conferences in Ottawa.
Grammar-rama
The TV program was quite unsettling, therefore I couldn’t sleep.
Coordinating Conjunction Conjunctive Adverb Subordinating Conjunction
Grammar-rama
The TV program was quite unsettling, therefore I couldn’t sleep. Coordinating ConjunctionThe TV program was quite unsettling, so I
couldn’t sleep. Conjunctive AdverbThe TV program was quite unsettling; therefore, I
couldn’t sleep. Subordinating ConjunctionThe TV program was quite unsettling, which is
why I couldn’t sleep.
Grammar-rama
Quotations: Single or double? When it meets other punctuation?
Apostrophes: Possessive: add one apostrophe and one
“s” Possessive AND plural: add an apostrophe
after the plural “s” and THAT’S IT.
Types of Expository Writing
Process Essentials Causes Effects Comparison/Contrast Classification-Division
Topic Choosing: Problems
How to play piano Safe driving Basics of gardening What makes a good marriage
Topic Choosing: Better
Why truck drivers are the safest Health hazards of gardening How to handle a family argument over
money Six questions to ask your fiance before
walking down the aisle
Process
Process Description How something works No expectation the reader is following
along Example: The steps leading to WWII
Directional Process Step-by-step instructions Expectation the reader is following along Example: recipe
Volunteer
Process
Begins with the intended goal Gives all necessary steps Includes a measurement for results Moves chronologically
Essentials
Includes essential characteristics of a topic
Examples: Essentials of a good R&B song Unusual qualities of Sofia Coppola’s movies Typical problems with overtraining for a
marathon Making it gig
Essentials
Problems children have when parents divorce loss of father/mother figure dealing with parental sorrow/grief feelings of guilt about causing the divorce loss of home if property is sold loss of friends if family moves
Causes
Identifies how an idea became the way it did
Needs to be reasonable causes
Examples: What motivates a person to skydive? What caused the needle exchange in Victoria
to close? What causes the Dr Peter Centre in
Vancouver to remain open?
Causes: An Example
The Computer RevolutionGood: improves business efficiency reduces human errors reduces storage space speeds up communication saves money
Causes: An Example
Bad: Bends the minds of children away from
religion Helps the government gain secret
control of people's finances
Effects
Discusses the consequences of an idea Avoids arguing and suggests reasonable
causes and effects without bias
Examples: Effects of head injury on sibling relationships Effects on a budget of a destination wedding Psychological effects of rat bites When children of divorce marry
Comparison-Contrast
Usually part of the same category Compare: similarities OR differences Contrast: just differences Demonstrates why one is preferred over
the other Demonstrates how one is actually
related to the other Can be subject-by-subject or point-by-
point
Comparison-Contrast
Examples: Tap dancing and pointe: what is harder
on the toes Female school bullying today and in the
1980s Letterman and Jon Gosselin: differences
in media confessions Teaching manners to kids in the US and
in Italy
Comparison-Contrast
Lansdowne and Interurban Food Location Gym facilities
Block
Lansdowne and Interurban
1. Introduction2. Lansdowne’s food, location, and gym
facilities3. Interurban’s food, location, and gym
facilities4. Conclusion
Point-by-Point
Lansdowne and Interurban
1. Introduction2. Lansdowne/Interurban food, 3. Lansdowne/Interurban location, 4. Lansdowne/Interurban gym facilities5. Conclusion
Classification-Division
Breaks a subject into categories Finds sensible, inventive categories that
show underlying qualities that might not be obvious
Classification-Division
Bad: Daydreams and nightmares
Good: Chase dreams Falling dreams Replay-of-the-day dreams
Go further with Chase!
Classification-Division
Education
Bad: Elementary, High School, College
Bad: Good, bad, and average high schools
Classification-Division
Four kinds of excuses to give professors Types of late-night diners at Denny’s
Classification-Division
Keep categories on the same level
Every food server knows the four classes of the obnoxious customer: the commander, the mumbler, the sweet talker, and the vanisher.
Every food server knows the three obnoxious customer speaking styles and, of course, knows the worst of all customers—the one with no speaking style when it comes to paying the bill.
Danger of blot clots: veins, brain, heart, and lungs.
Example “Going for a ride in the space shuttle” “Effects” Narrow thesis: A partner going into space
could negatively affect a marriage. Major points:
Publicity surrounding the launch could turn the family into celebrities (stalkers/dirty laundry).
The uncertainty of the partner’s safety: anxiety/stress
When the partner returns, his/her body image could drastically change (problem for relationship built on looks)
Blogged Work
1. Take your personal preference2. Take your style of informative writing3. Choose a narrow thesis4. Choose three major points5. Fill in the bubble sheet6. Elect someone to put on the blog
1. Your original card and style2. Your thesis3. Bulleted three major points
Insider’s Tips
1. Look at previous feedback2. Come and talk to me!3. No research
Next Class
Peer edit of informative essay due Come with paper COMPLETE See marking sheet on blog
Quiz