Expository Writing Project Assignment Choices: Essay, Brochure, or Blurb

Think About Your Purpose and Audience Purpose: What are you going to explain? Audience: Other than your teacher, who do you intend to read this piece?

Getting Ready to Write Are there any vocabulary words that your reader will need explained in order to make sense of your piece? Remember, you are writing about something on which you are the expert.

Follow the Steps of the Writing Process Prewrite (brainstorm) Compose (rough draft) Evaluate (look for errors) Revise (make structural changes) Edit (make grammar corrections) Publish (final draft)

Choice #1 Write a Process Essay A typical 4 - 6 paragraph report explaining how to do something Usually would not have illustrations, etc.

Essay Tips Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction. Write the instructions in a logical order, one step at a time. Use transition words such as first, next, then, when, after, and finally to indicate order. Be sure to include all the steps, and explain each one clearly so the reader will be able to picture it. Remember to end with an interesting conclusion.

Choice #2 Brochure Describes a product, place, or situation using factual information Usually folded in thirds Contains 2-3 descriptive paragraphs plus pictures, illustrations, maps, etc.

Brochure Tips Use eye-catching graphics that enhance the meaning of the writing Write 2 or 3 descriptive paragraphs that fully describe the place, product or situation

Choice #3 Blurb Summarizes the contents of a novel in 3-4 carefully planned paragraphs Designed to appear on a book jacket to help sell the book

Blurb Tips Choose a novel that you have read in its entirety Focus on the first few chapters, the conflict it sets up Analyze the central character and how they enter the plot Plan to leave the audience hanging —do not give away the resolution! Write 3-4 paragraphs—no graphics needed

Choosing Your Expository Project: Essay: several well-written paragraphs that explain step-by-step how to do something Brochure: explains a product, place or situation using paragraphs and pictures, illustrations, etc. (multiple descriptive paragraphs)

Choosing Your Expository Project: Essay: several well-written paragraphs that explain step-by-step how to do something Blurb: several well-written paragraphs that tell a summary of a book—found on book jackets Brochure: explains a product, place or situation using paragraphs and pictures, illustrations, etc. All 3: multiple descriptive paragraphs

Timeline Thanksgiving Holidays — no school Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday November 14 November 15 November 16 November 17 November 18 November 28: Take notes and choose a project. November 29: Planning and Prewriting day November 30: Work on projects in 7th grade computer lab December 1: Work on projects in 7th grade computer lab December 2: Work on projects in the classroom December 5 December 6 December 7 December 8 December 9: Expository Projects Due Thanksgiving Holidays — no school