Unit 1: Extended Writing Project

An informative/explanatory essay examines a specific topic and conveys relevant information about it in a logical way.

An informative/explanatory essay examines a specific topic and conveys relevant information about it in a logical way.

The thesis statement (or thesis) is the most important sentence in an informative/explanatory essay because it tells what the writer is going to say about the essay’s topic.

For example, scientific reports and studies often use a cause-and-effect text structure.

For example, scientific reports and studies often use a cause-and- effect text structure.

Historians and writers of memoirs often use a sequential (or chronological) text structure, discussing events in the order in which they occurred.

Other organizational structures include problem and solution and compare and contrast.

Other organizational structures include problem and solution and compare and contrast.

The introduction is the opening paragraph or section of a nonfiction text.

In an informative/explanatory text, the introduction provides readers with important information by introducing the topic and stating the thesis that will be developed in the body of the text.

In an informative/explanatory text, the introduction provides readers with important information by introducing the topic and stating the thesis that will be developed in the body of the text.

In an informative/explanatory text, the introduction provides readers with important information by introducing the topic and stating the thesis that will be developed in the body of the text.

It is customary to build interest in the topic by beginning the introduction with a “hook,” or a way to grab the reader’s attention.

It’s important to support your topic sentence with evidence. Evidence can be relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

Analysis/Explanation #1: After presenting evidence to support your topic sentence, you will need to analyze that evidence and explain how it supports your topic sentence and, in effect, your thesis statement.

Analysis/Explanation #1: After presenting evidence to support your topic sentence, you will need to analyze that evidence and explain how it supports your topic sentence and, in effect, your thesis statement.

Transitions are connecting words and phrases that clarify the relationships between (or among) ideas in a text.

The conclusion is the final paragraph or section of a nonfiction text.

Sources are the documents and information that an author uses to research his or her writing.

A primary source is a firsthand account of thoughts or events by the individual who experienced or witnessed them.

A secondary source analyzes and interprets primary sources.

Citations are notes that give information about the sources an author used in his or her writing.

Whether sources are primary or secondary, they must be credible and accurate.

Whether sources are primary or secondary, they must be credible and accurate.