6 TRICKS Expository Writing

The 3 Feathers of Writing Persuasive Narrative Informational Persuade Argue Convince Relate A Story Explain Inform Report

Some People Call It: Expository Writing, But… Informational Writing Needs no further definition

directions and “how-to” Reports about : books people places objects experiments history surveys Informational Writing uses…

Informational Writing Writing to Inform or Explain Your goal: To give clear information that GETS SOMBODY EXCITED about your subject!

WAIT! FREEZE! Before heading in, let’s review some Important writing basics, like.....

STEPS OF WRITING 5

PLANNING Step 1 HOW! Line

SLOPPY COPY Step 2 Instead, cross out using one thin line. Use pencil only. Write complete sentences. Write quickly and don’t worry about mistakes. Write on every 2 nd line to leave revising space. No erasing! (You might want to put something back.) No balling up paper and starting over. If you don’t like something, cross it out. Too much good stuff ends up in the trash can.

The SUCCESS Step! Make your writing great! Revising Step 3

PROOFREADING Step 4 ~korekt miss steaks ~kowrecked speling ~uz corek; punkchewashun,? ~uz the rite gramers

Neat Sheet Copy it Over Neatly Use erasable pens for last minute changes. This is NOT the step for making lots of changes or writing new stuff. Input to your computer. Make a book. Add drawings. Step 5

HOW! Line HOW! Moment SHOW MEET HIGHLIGHTS CLOSING The 6 Tricks of Informational Writing

Show Meet Highlight 1 Highlight 2 Highlight 3 WOW! Closing The HOW! Line Trick 1

HOW! Line is the ULIMATE TOOL For Informational Writing planning. Without it, your report will RAMBLE, lack direction and BORE your readers.

Here’s a blank HOW! Line before ideas are jotted down. Beginning Middle End LEAD SHOW MEET HIGHLIGHT 1 HIGHLIGHT 2 HIGHLIGHT 3 HOW! MOMENT CLOSING

HOW! Moment Trick 2 Really??? HOW! Moment How to teach your bird to talk. Fill this out FIRST! Choose your MOST FASCINATING and COMPELLING Piece of information. Pick a highlight that will rock your readers. Usually it's about HOW something happens.

SHOW Trick 3 RELATE AN EXPERIENCE. Use INTERACTION and DIALOGUE to create or recall a short experience that introduces your topic. Make up portions you can't remember or create a realistic scene, especially one that will get readers thinking or talking. Really??? HOW! Moment How to teach your bird to talk. Show Show how people made fun of me having a bird instead of a bird or a car.

Really?!?

HIGHLIGHTS 1,2 & 3 Trick 5 Jot down the FIRST, SECOND & THIRD highlights About your subject, & perhaps more. Place the most interesting highlight last in order. Really??? HOW! Moment How to teach your bird to talk. Show Show how people made fun of me having a bird instead of a bird or a car. Highlight 1 Highlight 2 Highlight 3 Choosing the keet. Good store. Puffiness. Get a young one. Color Bars. Active one. Bring it home. Decorate cage. Radio. Seed and Water. Change cage bottom. Important Safety Tip! No drafts! Put cage in corner of busy area. Parakeets in parrot family. Can have 1 or 2. Don't need lots of attention. Tips follow. Meet

Don’t repeat the same information you’ve already presented. Trick 6 CLOSING Instead use THOUGHTS or FEELINGS to provide either a dramatic of humorous closing. Really?!?