Genres
The Expository Pillar
Organization
Irrelevant, Extraneous Details
Misc.
100
The purpose of this writing piece is to inform the reader of a specific topic
What is expository writing
100
This part holds up the entire pillar. That is a lot of weight to hold!
What is the conclusion
100
This means your piece is organized "ok"
What is adequately
100
Making a snowman is fun. You start with a big snowball. Make a smaller snowball. Put this on top of the big snowball. Put a smaller snowball on the top for its head. Use rocks for eyes and a carrot for a nose. You can use sticks for arms. A snowman needs a hat too! Be sure you wear a hat when it is cold. A scarf looks good on a snowman too. Which detail is not needed and what kind of detail is it?
What is be sure you wear a hat when it is cold. Extraneous.
100
We write this in the margin to summarize what each paragraph is about.
What is a blurb
200
This type of writing is to persuade or convince the reader of something
What is persuasive writing
200
This is what hooks the reader to want to read your essay
What is the lead sentence
200
You can do the penny toss game. You can win stuffed animals. You can buy hot dogs. All these "you cans" are examples of what?
What is repetition
200
An unimportant detail. Not necessary to the topic.
What is extraneous?
200
People say dogs are man's best friend. There are many breeds of dogs and they all can be trained to do amazing things! They help us in many ways. Name the main ideas relating to dogs that this essay will discuss.
What is breeds, training, and helping.
300
This type of writing is to entertain the reader
What is narrative writing
300
You should have a minimum of how many ideas when writing your expository essay?
What is three
300
Read the following introduction paragraph. Besides being too short, what is missing from this paragraph that you need according to the expository pillar: It's a Friday night and you have nothing to do. If you're lucky, there's a carnival in town. Carnivals are fun.
What is the topic sentence
300
An unrelated detail to the topic being discussed.
What is irrelevant?
300
Nowadays many people enjoy knitting! In the past, it seemed knitting was something only your grandma enjoyed! But today, teens, both male and female, get into this creative hobby. Many teenage boys who take up knitting are also snowboarders who want to create their own funky, colorful, unique scarves and hats. Fashionable woman's scaves of shaggy wool (called eyelash yarn) are available in a rainbow of colors and can be knitted up quickly on large needles - many young women make one to go with every outfit. This hobby is so popular that cafes from coast to coast now sponsor knitting clubs and evenings for knitting, music, and socializing. This expository piece is either a how to or a compare/contrast piece.
What is a how to piece
400
Pizza can be good for you. You can put vegetables on it. Eating it is easy. You don't even need a fork! It smells yummy in the oven! This is why the school should have pizza every day! This is an example of what kind of writing?
What is persuasive writing
400
You should have a minimum of how many details supporting each main idea?
What is four
400
So while there are certainly fancier places to go than the carnival, I can't think of one place more exciting and fun. For me, the rides, the games, and the food make a night at the carnival better than a night at the Ritz! And a whole lot cheaper, too! When reading this conclusion, according to the expository pillar, what is missing?
What is nothing
400
Traveling by train is easier than driving. It is more enjoyable than driving because you avoid the headache of traffic jams. Instead of worrying about driving you can sit on the train and read, or take a nap! Trains are faster than cars, too. Most trains have a snack bar for refreshments so there's no need to stop to eat. They also provide bathrooms. Planes are faster than cars too, and they show movies as you fly. Planes are faster than cars too, and they show movies as you fly is this kind of detail.
What is irrelevant
400
The following comparison piece is comparing and contrasting what two things? There are some things that all people have in common. One thing is that people everywhere like to have fun! No matter where you live, people like to play games! The Native Americans people played many interesting games. How did the games of the Native Americans differ from the games we play?
What is Native American games to games of today
500
Penguins are interesting flightless birds. They live in very cold places and move easily around the snow and ice. They are strong swimmers. They use their wings like flippers to move through the water. These black and white birds waddle on their webbed feet. This is an example of what kind of writing?
What is expository writing
500
This is something your introduction and conclusion should have in common.
What is restating the main ideas.
500
"My favorite ride is the ferris wheel." The author should write about why this is his or her favorite ride. That detail would be an example of
What is showing, not just telliing
500
Want to avoid a cold? Wash your hands often! Everything you touch is covered in germs and bacteria. Pick up these germs on your fingertips, put your hand near your mouth, and that's it-you're sick! You can't avoid germs, but washing your hands often with soap and water kill germs and washes away bacteria that can make you ill. Very warm water is best, and it's important to rub your hands together and really scrub! A small finger nail brush can clean under those dirty nails and a manicure can make your nails look much nicer. Washing your hands often is the key to preventing the spread of illness. Where, if anywhere, is there an unnecessary detail?
Where is the manicure can make your nails look much nicer.
500
The detail "Some kinds of dogs have curly fur" belongs under which main idea: 1. How many different breeds or kinds of dogs can you name? 2. Everyone loves seeing a dog do a trick 3. Dogs can be trained to help people
What is none. It is an extraneous detail
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