Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
Below is an outline that a student might have written before drafting
an informative essay about capillary action.
I.
Introduction
A. A florist places a white flower in a vase of water and blue food
coloring. A few days later the flowers turn blue.
B. Thesis Statement: Capillary action cause water to flow from
the stem to the petals of a plant.
II. Body
A. Capillary action is the movement of water due to the forces of
cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
B. Plants rely on capillary action to grow.
(continued)
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Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
Below is an outline that a student might have written before drafting
an informative essay about capillary action.
C. This same phenomenon is demonstrated by the carnation
placed in the blue water.
III. Conclusion
A. The carnation experiment is just one example of how capillary
action works in the world.
B. From cleaning up a mess with a paper towel to the ducts that
secrete tears into the human eye, capillary action is a necessary part
of everyday life.
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
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Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
1. Circle the heading for each of the three main parts of the outline.
I.
Introduction
A. A florist places a white flower in a vase of water and blue food
coloring. A few days later the flowers turn blue.
B. Thesis Statement: Capillary action cause water to flow from
the stem to the petals of a plant.
II. Body
A. Capillary action is the movement of water due to the forces of
cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
B. Plants rely on capillary action to grow.
(continued)
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
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Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
1. Circle the heading for each of the three main parts of the outline.
C. This same phenomenon is demonstrated by the carnation
placed in the blue water.
III. Conclusion
A. The carnation experiment is just one example of how capillary
action works in the world.
B. From cleaning up a mess with a paper towel to the ducts that
secrete tears into the human eye, capillary action is a necessary part
of everyday life.
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
4
Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
1. Circle the heading for each of the three main parts of the outline.
The blue text should be circled.
I.
Introduction
A. A florist places a white flower in a vase of water and blue food
coloring. A few days later the flowers turn blue.
B. Thesis Statement: Capillary action cause water to flow from
the stem to the petals of a plant.
II. Body
A. Capillary action is the movement of water due to the forces of
cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
B. Plants rely on capillary action to grow.
(continued)
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
5
Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
1. Circle the heading for each of the three main parts of the outline.
The blue text should be circled.
C. This same phenomenon is demonstrated by the carnation
placed in the blue water.
III. Conclusion
A. The carnation experiment is just one example of how capillary
action works in the world.
B. From cleaning up a mess with a paper towel to the ducts that
secrete tears into the human eye, capillary action is a necessary part
of everyday life.
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
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Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
2. Underline the two places where the thesis statement is specifically
mentioned.
I.
Introduction
A. A florist places a white flower in a vase of water and blue food
coloring. A few days later the flowers turn blue.
B. Thesis Statement: Capillary action cause water to flow from
the stem to the petals of a plant.
II. Body
A. Capillary action is the movement of water due to the forces of
cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
B. Plants rely on capillary action to grow.
(continued)
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
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Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
2. Underline the two places where the thesis statement is specifically
mentioned.
C. This same phenomenon is demonstrated by the carnation
placed in the blue water.
III. Conclusion
A. The carnation experiment is just one example of how capillary
action works in the world.
B. From cleaning up a mess with a paper towel to the ducts that
secrete tears into the human eye, capillary action is a necessary part
of everyday life.
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
8
Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
2. Underline the two places where the thesis statement is specifically
mentioned.
I.
Introduction
A. A florist places a white flower in a vase of water and blue food
coloring. A few days later the flowers turn blue.
B. Thesis Statement: Capillary action cause water to flow from
the stem to the petals of a plant.
II. Body
A. Capillary action is the movement of water due to the forces of
cohesion, adhesion, and surface tension.
B. Plants rely on capillary action to grow.
(continued)
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
9
Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
2. Underline the two places where the thesis statement is specifically
mentioned.
C. This same phenomenon is demonstrated by the carnation
placed in the blue water.
III. Conclusion
A. The carnation experiment is just one example of how capillary
action works in the world.
B. From cleaning up a mess with a paper towel to the ducts that
secrete tears into the human eye, capillary action is a necessary part
of everyday life.
9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning® • Reproduction permitted for classroom use only.
10
Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
3. Why is the first paragraph of the body important?
The first paragraph is the introduction. It introduces the main idea
and contains the thesis statement. In this essay it also explains the
details of the experiment which gives context for the essay.
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Chapter 3 Writing an Informative Essay
Activity 4E Analyzing an Outline (p. 42)
4. Are the main points in the body in logical order? Why or why not?
Yes. First, capillary action is defined and explained. Then the essay
explains how capillary action caused the flower to turn blue.
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