1. Informative/Explanatory Writing
Planning: Brainstorm & Categorize
© Kerry Tracy 2015

2. 7th Grade Common Core Standards
Bold text denotes lesson focus.
Note: 7th grade requires students are not to rely on recalling their own experience, and instead gather relevant information from outside sources for explanatory/informative writing. For brainstorming and making outlines, we focus first on what we can recall. When we develop and prepare to draft, we will incorporate adding in credible, relevant information from outside sources.
Text Types & Purposes
Writing 7.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Production & Distribution of Writing
Writing 7.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

3. Informative/Explanatory Writing
The purpose of informative or explanatory writing is to convey information.
The writer gives information and details to the reader.
Avoids expressing his/her opinions.

4. Examples??
Can anyone give an example of informative/explanatory writing?
textbooks
newspapers/news websites
some magazines
how-to books
nonfiction books
etc.

5. Writing Process The process typically follows this path: Planning
Generate & organize ideas
Drafting Each PARAGRAPH
Before the entire essay is due you will have completed the writing process for every paragraph
Expand and support ideas with facts, details, evidence, and quotes
Revising
Refine and improve writing
Adding/subtracting information & ideas
Editing
Check writing for errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and usage
Publishing
Create a final version to have peer edited for a final time.
Share with the class in the form of a presentation

6. Introduction Introduce the topic Thesis Hook the audience
Give definitions regarding the topic, if needed.
Include a thesis
Thesis
Main idea of the essay
The last sentence in the intro
Guides and controls your paper

7. Transitions
Merge ideas
Makes the essay “flow”

8. Body Paragraphs “Bulk” of the essay
Main points and evidence
Subpoints=body paragraphs
Start body paragraphs with a topic sentence.
A topic sentence is the first sentence in a body paragraph that sums up what the paragraph is about.
Evidence
Facts, details, and information about the topic.
Gives meaning to the essay

9. Conclusion Final paragraph of the essay. Incomplete without it
Refer back to thesis
Concluding Statement
Wraps everything up

10. Essay Format Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion Hook Thesis
Subpoint #1
Subpoint #2
Subpoint #3
Conclusion
Thesis Reference
Concluding Statement

11. Writing Process Writing Process:
Planning
Generate & organize ideas
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing
People often rush the planning phase and try to jump straight into drafting.
When you take the time to plan, you will find you are less likely to get stuck or not know what to write next.

12. Pick a Topic
Bullying
Childhood Obesity
Amazon Rainforest
Homelessness

13. What’s Next?
Brainstorming is how we generate ideas in the planning process.
You will be researching your topic.
As you research please complete the brainstorming activity
Writing Process:
Planning
Generate & organize ideas
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing

14. Writing Your Introduction
Now that you have some information on your topic, it’s time to begin the introduction.
1st: Hook the reader
2nd: Transition sentence
3rd: Thesis statement
Maps the essay for the reader
Identifies the sub-points (body paragraphs)

17. Think-Pair-Share:Hook
Think about where the hook would occur in the paragraph.
Pair up with a neighbor and share your thoughts on what the hook is.
Highlight the entire hook in YELLOW

19. Think-Pair-Share: Transition Sentence
Think about where the transition sentence would occur in the paragraph.
Pair up with a neighbor and share your thoughts on the purpose of a transition sentence.
Highlight the entire transition sentence in BLUE

21. Think-Pair-Share: Thesis
Think about where the thesis occurs in the paragraph (HINT: we’ve discussed this).
Pair up with a neighbor and share your thoughts on the purpose of the thesis and where it is in the paragraph.
Highlight the entire thesis GREEN
What are the sub-points (body paragraphs)?