Page 31 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade6_Flipbook

Writing Workshop 3 (continued)
ACTIVITY 2
Writing an Expository Class Essay
WRITING PROMPT: Think about a piece of technology (e.g., cell phone, MP3 player, computer, TV, video game console, digital camera/video camera) that you could not live without. Choose one, and write a multi-paragraph essay that explains the function of that piece of technology and its significance in your life today. Be sure the essay does the following:
• Presents effective introductory and concluding paragraphs
• Guides and informs the reader’s understanding of key issues in body paragraphs • Includes specific facts, evidence, details, and examples in body paragraphs.
• Uses an appropriate organizational structure
• Uses a variety of sentence structures and transitions to link sentences and
paragraphs and to guide readers
Refer to the Scoring Guide for this writing task to help you understand where to focus your attention and efforts.
Prewriting
1. Reread and mark the writing prompt to clarify the task.
2. As a class, brainstorm ideas for the class-generated essay, and create a list of possible topics.
3. With your class, choose a topic for the essay and write it here.
4. To create an effective draft, you will need a thesis to give focus to the essay. A thesis is not the title of an essay (e.g., Computers) or an announcement of the subject to the reader (e.g., In this essay, I will tell you about computers). A thesis is a writer’s opinion about a topic—the point that he or she is making about it.
Using the sentence stem below, write a thesis statement for the sample expository essay.
Sample response:
The Westie makes a great family pet (topic and opinion) because of its looks, personality, and intelligence (explanation).
4 SpringBoard® Writing Workshop with Grammar Activities Grade 6
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