This week in 3/4H...

...we have been busy finishing our portfolios, practicing for our Christmas program and conferences, and working on a new type of writing: expository.

Exposition is a type of oral or written discourse that is used to explain, describe, give information, or inform.  It “expose[s] the reader to something new.” The writer of an expository piece cannot assume that the reader or listener has prior knowledge or prior understanding of the topic that is being discussed. One important point for the author to keep in mind is to try to use words that clearly show what is being discussed rather then just tell the reader what is being discussed. 

For the past week we have been working on our expository  “how to” papers during Writer’s Workshop.  We started by brainstorming ideas. We came up with lots of fun and simple topics from “how to make sunny-side-up eggs” to “how to throw a baseball."

Throughout the process, we have reviewed unique ways to keep our writing from sounding boring. We are using descriptive words like “the gooey mess is now... “ instead of “first,” “second,” or “then.”  We are getting the reader/listener interested by starting with an intriguing beginning sentence. A sentence like “Did you ever wonder how...” gives the reader/listener a reason to want to read more!

We are looking forward to presentation day, which should be sometime next week.  Be sure to ask your child what their topic is. You may be amazed at what they are informing the class about!

Posted on December 4, 2007 10:19 AM | Permalink