Empowering+Writers

Writing
In the 5th grade, our writing program is entitled Empowering Writers. Over the next year, we will focus on expository writing, which means to explain or give information about a particular subject. This includes a 5-paragraph essay, which has an introduction paragraph, three main idea paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. However, besides expository writing, we will also work on compare/contrast, fact/opinion, persuasive writing, poetry, writing letters, and answering open-ended questions. In the 3rd and 4th grade, your writing style was more narrative, which meant telling a story.

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__Expository Writing__
**Goal:** Expository writing seeks to inform, explain, clarify, define or instruct. **Characteristics:** **The general characteristics of expository writing include:** Expository writing appears in and is not limited to letters, newsletters, definitions, instructions, guidebooks, catalogues, newspaper articles, magazine articles, manuals, pamphlets, reports and research papers.
 * focus on main topic
 * logical supporting facts
 * details, explanations, and examples
 * strong organization
 * clarity
 * unity and coherence
 * logical order
 * smooth transition
 * Uses:**
 * Exercises:**
 * Write a story about a trip you are going to take and what friend you want to take with you. Explain why this friend would be the best person to go with you.
 * Describe the cause and effects of pollution in the environment. Narrow your topic to one form of pollution, such as something that causes air, water or land pollution.
 * Explain the process of baking a birthday cake.
 * ====Find an example of expository writing; explain the elements that make this a good example.====