Start with a Narrative: Ideas for Expository and Argument Writing

This lesson brought to you by Our goal is to increase the amount of time you spend writing in all your classes.

Terms we’ll be using: Narrative = Storytelling Expository = Informative Argument = Argumentative = Persuasion Kernel essay: The “seed” or basic idea for a piece of writing; useful in planning

Goal: We will learn how to use our narrative writing to generate ideas for expository and argument writing for the purpose of creating lists for future pieces. Our non-purpose is to finish a piece of writing in this class period. In order to reach our goal, we will watch Mrs. Appel model the process and try it ourselves.

What’s in it for teachers... This lesson was selected because it includes thinking and writing in front of students without preparing the writing ahead of time. Warning: It will get messy!

Let’s begin Gather the facts: What are you writing now? It is recommended we increase the time spent writing informational and argument pieces. If you get your ideas from your narratives, the writing should be more interesting.

Find a narrative Stand up/ Hand up/ Pair up I model filling out the elastic kernel sheet You try it Add more ideas by examining titles

How are expository and argumentative writing different? Is it a good idea to mix personal narratives with expository or persuasive writing?

Debriefing Did we meet the goal of today’s lesson? What parts of the lesson worked well for you? What confused you? What suggestions do you have?