Page 26 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

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WRITING WORKSHOP
Expository Writing: Compare and Contrast
Learning Targets
• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
• With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
• Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
• Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Writing an Expository Essay
The purpose of an expository essay is to communicate ideas and information to specific audiences for specific purposes. Expository essays are often written to define or describe a subject, to provide directions for how to do something, or to compare subjects by exploring how they are similar and different.
To complete this workshop on effective expository writing, you will work with
your teacher and your classmates to construct two model compare-and-contrast expository essays. You will then use these models to write your own compare-and- contrast expository essay.
ACTIVITY 1
Discovering the Elements of a Compare and Contrast Essay
Before Reading
1. Define the terms compare and contrast.
2. The goal of a compare-and-contrast expository essay is to explore the similarities and differences between two subjects. What are some topics that would be interesting or useful to compare and contrast, and why? List several below.
LEARNING STRATEGIES Brainstorming, Think-Pair- Share, Discussion Groups, Sharing and Responding, Marking the Text, Graphic Organizer, Outlining, Drafting, Adding, Deleting, Rearranging, Substituting, Revising Prior Work, Self- Editing/Peer-Editing
Writing Workshop 3 • Expository Writing: Compare and Contrast 1
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