Informative and explanatory writing

Informative/Explanatory

WritingMurray Hill Middle School

Donyall D. Dickey, Principal

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant information.

Legenda. Introduce a topic, organize ideas,

concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

c. Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

e. Establish and maintain a formal style.f. Provide a concluding statement or

section that follows from the information or explanation presented.

Informative – a piece that is designed to convey facts or data









Explanatory – Includes a person’s views on something, an experience, an activity or how to do something









Informative – a piece that is designed to convey facts or dataExplanatory – includes a person’s views on something, an experience, an activity or how to do something (without providing argument or criticism)

Group Activity1.Choose type 2.Choose existing activity per grade level pair (i.e. Frog, Declaration of Independence, Romeo and Juliet)3.Compose a grade level – content specific writing prompt.4.What needs to be front loaded for students before they are asked to write (a-f)?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Social Studies

You have been asked to conduct research

on the American Revolution. As part ofyour research, you need to locate

sourceson the internet. Explain how you candistinguish between reliable andunreliable sources on the internet.

English

You’ve just studied Shakespearian plays.

Your English teacher has just announced

you will be going to a local Shakespearian

museum. Explain to the reader yourfavorite exhibit.

Applied Academics

Using what you learned in class, explain

to reader how you produced a door stop

from raw materials.

Science

You just studied parts of the cell. Usingfacts from the textbook, class notes,

etc.,provide information about the function

ofeach part of the cell to a 3rd grade

classat Gorman Crossing.

Reading

A new family has moved into HowardCounty and needs to choose a middleschool for their children. The parentsare concerned as one of their childrencurrently reads below grade level.

Usingfacts and data from the Maryland StateReport Card, inform this family aboutMurray Hill’s performance over the pastfour years.


Introduce (a) and develop (b) a topic










Formal style (e)










By selecting definitions, concrete details, quotations or other information and examples (b)

Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts (c)

Use precise language and domain specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic (d)

Formal style (e)












Include:Formatting (headings)Graphics (charts, tables)Multimedia when useful to aid comprehension (a)


Formal style (e)








Definition,Classification,Comparison/Contrast,Cause/Effect (a)Description *Problem/Solution *Chronological *






Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented (f)

Formal style (e)

Choices along the way throughout text composition*
















Formal style (e)











What needs to be front loaded for students before they are asked to write (a-f)?







Formal style (e)




May need to consider avoiding “I”Be conscious of word choice (use “child” instead of “kid”)Vary sentence lengthAvoid vague words (some, a few)Avoid contractions

____________________________________________________________________________

At last Next Conversely Furthermore However For exampleOtherwise ThereforeIn conclusion First, Second…

__________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Ensure topic completely addresses promptTopic should be concise and focusedEnsure topic is developed throughout writing

____________________________________________________________________________

Writer’s workshop/conferencesContinually re-focus students to topicEdit or revise details or examples that do not support topic

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SCORE Organization and Development Conventions and Language

Introduction of Topic

Organization of Information

Supporting Facts & Details

Relevance of Conclusion

Comprehension Aids

Language Choices

Formality of Style

Command of Conventions

4 Topic is precise, clearly

stated.

Ideas, concepts and information are developed with cohesive

organization and appropriate transitions.

Relevant facts and details are presented to

fully support the topic.

Conclusion clearly connects relevant details to support the

topic.

Includes formatting (headings),

graphics, and/or multimedia to

extend comprehension.

Uses precise language and

domain specific vocabulary

consistently to inform

about/explain the topic.

Establishes and maintains a formal style

and objective tone.

Demonstrates strong

command of the conventions

of standard written English.

3 Topic is precise.

Ideas, concepts, and information are developed based on an

organizational strategy using

appropriate transitions.

Facts and details are

presented to fully support the

topic.

Provides a concluding statement or section that

connects relevant details and the topic.


graphics, and/or multimedia to aid comprehension.


domain-specific vocabulary to

inform about/explain

the topic.

Establishes and maintains a formal style.

Demonstrates command of

the conventions of standard

written English with minimal

errors.

2 Topic is partially stated.

Ideas, concepts, and information

lacks an organizational

strategy.

Facts and details are not

fully developed.

Conclusion is inadequate in its

support in connection to

the topic.

Formatting, graphics, and

multimedia do not aid

comprehension.

Inconsistently uses precise

language and domain specific

vocabulary.

Establishes and maintains a formal style with some

lapses.

Conventions distract the

reader.

1 Topic is ambiguous.


are disorganized.

Facts and details are not relevant to the

topic.

Conclusion does not support the

topic.

Does not include formatting,

graphics, and/or multimedia.

Does not use precise


vocabulary.

Style is informal.

Conventions interfere with

meaning.

Comments:

INFORMATIVE/EXPLANTORY WRITING RUBRIC GRADE 6







Comprehension Aids

Language Choices

Formality of Style



stated, and previews what is to

follow.

Ideas, concepts & information are developed with cohesive organization

using appropriate and

varied transitions.

Relevant, well-chosen facts and

details are presented to fully support the topic.


topic.





domain specific

vocabulary consistently to


the topic.


and objective tone.

Demonstrates strong




stated, and partially previews what is to

follow.


using appropriate transitions.

Relevant facts and details are

presented to fully support the topic.





aid comprehension.


domain-specific

vocabulary to inform






errors.

2 Topic is precise.

Ideas, concepts, & information are developed based on an

organizational strategy.


presented but only partially developed

and support the topic.


support in connection to

the topic.

Formatting, graphics, and multimedia do

not aid comprehension.



vocabulary.


lapses.


reader.

1 Topic is partially stated or

ambiguous.

Development of ideas, concepts, & information

lacks an organizational strategy or is disorganized.

Facts and details are not developed/

relevant to the topic.


topic.





vocabulary.

Style is informal.


meaning.

Comments:







Comprehension Aids

Language Choices

Formality of Style


4 Topic is precise,

clearly stated, and previews

what is to follow.

Organization of complex ideas,

concepts & information are

developed to make important

connections/distinctions.

Well-chosen, relevant and

sufficient facts and details are


Conclusion clearly

connects relevant details to

support the topic.









and objective tone.

Demonstrates strong



3 Topic is precise,

clearly stated, and partially

previews what is to follow.

Ideas, concepts & information are developed with

cohesive organization using

appropriate and varied transitions.

Well-chosen, relevant facts and



connects relevant

details and the topic.






the topic.





errors.

2 Topic is precise.




Relevant facts and details are presented and

support the topic.

Conclusion is inadequate in its support in connection to

the topic.





vocabulary.


lapses.


reader.


ambiguous.

Ideas, concepts, & information are

not fully developed based

on an organizational

strategy.

Facts and details are partially or not developed/ relevant to the

topic.

Conclusion does not

support the topic.





vocabulary.

Style is informal.


meaning.

Comments:




(a)


(a) and (c)


(b)


(f)

Comprehension Aids

(a)

Language Choices

(d)

Formality of Style(e)


(*)


stated.

Ideas, concepts and information are developed with cohesive organization

and appropriate transitions.



Conclusion clearly

connects relevant details to support the

topic.









and objective tone.

Demonstrates strong



3 Topic is precise.




Facts and details are presented to fully support the

topic.








the topic.





errors.




strategy.

Facts and details are not fully developed.


the topic.





vocabulary.


lapses.


reader.



are disorganized.

Facts and details are not relevant

to the topic.

Conclusion does not

support the topic.





vocabulary.

Style is informal.


meaning.

Comments:




(a)


(a) and (c)


(b)


(f)

Comprehension Aids(a)

Language Choices

(d)



(*)

4 Topic is precise,


what is to follow.


cohesive organization

using appropriate and varied transitions.



Conclusion clearly

connects relevant details to

support the topic.









and objective tone.

Demonstrates strong



3 Topic is precise,




cohesive organization





connects relevant

details and the topic.






the topic.





errors.

2 Topic is precise.

Ideas, concepts, & information are developed based


strategy.

Relevant facts and details are presented but only partially

developed and support the topic.


the topic.





vocabulary.


lapses.


reader.

1 Topic is partially stated or ambiguous.

Development of ideas, concepts, & information lacks an organizational

strategy or is disorganized.


developed/ relevant to the

topic.

Conclusion does not

support the topic.





vocabulary.

Style is informal.


meaning.

Comments:




(a)

Organization of Information(a) and (c)


(b)


(f)


Language Choices

(d)



(*)

4 Topic is precise,


what is to follow.



developed to make important

connections/distinctions.




Conclusion clearly


topic.





domain specific

vocabulary consistently

to inform about/explain

the topic.


and objective tone.

Demonstrates strong



3 Topic is precise,





appropriate and varied transitions.








domain-specific







errors.

2 Topic is precise.




Relevant facts and details are presented and

support the topic.


the topic.



comprehension.

Inconsistently uses precise language and

domain specific

vocabulary.


lapses.


reader.


ambiguous.

Ideas, concepts, & information are

not fully developed based


strategy.

Facts and details are partially or not developed/ relevant to the

topic.

Conclusion does not

support the topic.





vocabulary.

Style is informal.


meaning.

Comments:




(a)




(b)

Language Choices

(d)



(f)


(*)


stated.

Ideas, concepts and information are developed with cohesive

organization and appropriate transitions.




Relevant facts and details are presented to

fully support the topic.


domain specific

vocabulary consistently to


the topic.

Establishes and maintains a formal style and objective

tone.


topic.

Demonstrates strong



3 Topic is precise.






aid comprehension.

Facts and details are

presented to fully support the

topic.


domain-specific





connects relevant details and the

topic.




errors.




strategy.



Facts and details are not fully developed.



vocabulary.


with some lapses.


support in connection to the

topic.


reader.


Ideas, concepts, and information are disorganized.



Facts and details are not relevant

to the topic.



vocabulary.

Style is informal.


topic.


meaning.

Comments:




(a)




(b)

Language Choices

(d)

Formality of Style

(e)


(f)


(*)


stated, and previews what is to follow.


using appropriate and

varied transitions.










Establishes and

maintains a formal style

and objective

tone.

Conclusion clearly


topic.

Demonstrates strong




stated, and partially











the topic.

Establishes and

maintains a formal style.






errors.

2 Topic is precise.

Ideas, concepts, & information are developed based on an





presented but only partially

developed and support the topic.



vocabulary.

Establishes and

maintains a formal style with some

lapses.


the topic.


reader.


Development of ideas, concepts, & information

lacks an organizational strategy or is disorganized.





topic.

Does not use precise language

and domain specific

vocabulary.

Style is informal.

Conclusion does not

support the topic.


meaning.

Comments:




(a)




(b)

Language Choices

(d)

Formality of Style

(e)


(f)


(*)


stated, and previews what is to follow.



developed to make important connections/disti

nctions.











Establishes and

maintains a formal style

and objective

tone.

Conclusion clearly


topic.

Demonstrates strong




stated, and partially



using appropriate and varied transitions.








the topic.

Establishes and

maintains a formal style.






errors.

2 Topic is precise.





comprehension.


presented and support the topic.



vocabulary.

Establishes and

maintains a formal style with some

lapses.


the topic.


reader.


Ideas, concepts, & information are not fully

developed based on an




Facts and details are partially or not


topic.



vocabulary.

Style is informal.

Conclusion does not

support the topic.


meaning.

Comments:

Informative and explanatory writing

Education

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