W13D1 Writing

Introduction

Students write informational (based on facts)/expository (explains something or a process) paragraphs based on text. Oftentimes, you will write to a prompt which requires you to use information from a text to gather facts, examples, and other information. 

Whether or not the prompt is text based, writers should still use all the elements of a S’more paragraph practiced earlier. Notice that since we are using text(s) to gather information, writers must include attributions (words that give credit to the text or the author of text).

 

S'more Informational Writing handout Download S'more Informational Writing handout

 

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Example of an Informational Paragraph

Read the article again:  Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood? Download Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?

Then, think about the prompt:

What is a shark? Use information from the text to write a paragraph to explain the characteristics of a shark. 

How you could write an informational/explanatory paragraph to answer the prompt? What would you include? 

Now, look at this example of a paragraph that answers the prompt. Note the number of transitions and attributions. Also, notice that the writer puts the information in her own words (paraphrase). The information is copied from the text. Click through the slideshow to see each part of the informational paragraph.

 

 

 

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