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