Introductory
Assignments
English 10
Jodie Reeder (jreeder@summer.com)
770-7718 ext.
Read all material
carefully, complete the
included assignments
and send them to the
address above.
Writing Styles Unit
Site:
SD67 Moodle Site v2
Course: English 10 (2012-2013)
Teacher: Jodie Reeder
Overview: In this unit you will :
1.
2.
3.
4.
Review the types of writing
Complete Task #1 -writing prompt paragraphs
Review writing compare and contrast writing
Complete Task #2 - compare and contrast essay.
Types of Writing
I love movies. I love suspenseful movies, with huge twists at the end. I also love comedies, anything
that can make me laugh. Since I was little I have been watching historically based movies with my dad.
Mostly movies based on the two world wars. One of my favorites is "The Great Escape." And a newer
favorite is the "Band of Brothers" series.
Depending on my mood and my mindset I like different genres of movies at different times. To be good
each movie has to take into consideration its audience. When I'm watching a historically based movie, I
want the facts to be correct. However, if I'm watching a comedy, I don't care if TV broadcasters
wouldn't realistically start a brawl behind a building, it's funny.
Writing can also fall into different categories, with different purposes. For English 10 we are going to
focus on four of them:
Expository writing
Descriptive writing
Persuasive writing
Narrative writing
Expository Writing
Expository Writing
Expository writing presents factual information about a subject.
Its main purpose is to inform.
Because expository writing is concerned with presenting facts to the audience, it should be objective
and unbiased.
Expository writing is often used in the sciences, and it is the primary mode used by journalists.
Within academic essays, we use expository writing when we present factual information, such as
background or research findings.
We use expository writing in many different writing tasks:
to report facts
to summarize ideas
to define terms
to explain a process
to give instructions
Descriptive Writing
Descriptive Writing
Descriptive writing paints a picture of a subject through the use of vivid imagery and specific detail.
Descriptive writing tries to convey a particular impression of a person, place, or thing, using strong
“word pictures.”
It is a great way to convey emotion and attitude and may stand alone or be incorporated in other forms
of writing.
Vivid descriptions can be great tools for persuasion and often add interest to introductions or
conclusions.
We use descriptive writing in many different writing tasks:
Narratives or stories
Reports
Personal experiences
Character sketches
Advertising
Poetry
Persuasive Writing
Persuasive Writing
Persuasive writing is used to convince the audience to believe or agree with the writer’s argument or
interpretation.
Most advanced academic writing is done in the persuasive mode.
Persuasive writing relies primarily on logic and specific supporting examples, but it often incorporates
expository, descriptive, and occasionally narrative modes as well.
We use narrative writing in many different writing tasks:
literary analysis
historical analysis
debates
research papers
advertising
Narrative Writing
Narrative writing is used to tell a story.
Narration presents a series of events in order to inform or entertain the audience.
Narrative writing can be both fiction and nonfiction.
The primary goal of narration is to relate a series of events that occurred to real or fictional people.
However, narrative writing will often incorporate the descriptive mode (when describing setting and
characters) as well as the expository mode (when stating background or other information directly to
the reader).
Within academic essays, narrative writing can be used to relate an anecdote, particularly in an
introduction or as part of an example.
We use narrative writing in many different writing tasks:
anecdotes and illustrative examples
personal writing
creative writing
fiction
Your Turn
Task #1 Writing Prompt
As a writer we use these styles together to create our masterpiece. However for this assignment, you're
going to create four very distinct paragraphs. Each paragraph will be based on the same prompt, but you
will address the prompt from the four writing styles. In the end you will hand in four paragraphs
together, but clearly labeled:
An expository paragraph
A descriptive paragraph
A persuasive paragraph
A narrative paragraph
Although it will be hard to keep the paragraphs to their style, in the end you will be able to clearly
identify the difference in the styles. Each paragraph will be marked out of 5 for your ability to stick to
the style.
Here is my example. (Follow this link online to see an example)
S
o Here is your writing prompt...
Take a moment to think about whats going on in the picture and how you could approach each
paragraph.
A) Expository Paragraph: "Just the facts Ma'am"
B) Persuasive Paragraph: You can choose your argument regarding the picture
C) Descriptive Paragraph: Describe the picture in depth
D) Narrative Paragraph: Use your imagination...what is happening?
Compare and Contrast
Have you ever had to make a choice between what movie you want to see, or what item to get on the
menu? Have you ever had to convince someone that Batman was far superior to Superman?
Comparing and Contrasting is something we do daily. Most mornings I start with an internal debate
about how many times I can hit snooze. We weigh the pro's and con's and then make in informed
decision.
In grade 10 you are required to write a compare and contrast essay. Simply put, you need to create a
pro's and con's list for the question, and then convince the reader that you have chosen the correct
answer.
Guide
Click the following link to an online Compare and Contrast Guide.. You may wish to take notes as you go
through the slides. You can use the right and left arrows to navigate the guide.
Take special note of the 3 different ways of setting up a compare and contrast essay. You will find that
you understand one of the formats better than the others. Some fit questions better than others, and it
is up to the writer to decide which format to use.
3 types
There are three strategies to organize comparison and contrast papers. Lets use the example of item #1
versus item #2:
1. Whole-to-Whole, or Block
Introduction
Item #1
Item #2
Conclusion
2. Similarities-to-Differences
Introduction
Similarities between Item #1 and Item #2
Differences between Item #1 and Item #2
Conclusion
3. Point-by-Point
Introduction
Point #1 (eg Characters in Item #1 and #2)
Point #2 (eg Setting in Item #1 and #2)
Conclusion
Which is better?
Generally we use Compare and Contrast essays when we are asked questions like, "Who is a better hero
Batman or Superman?" or "Who is a better leader Trevor Linden or Markus Nasland?"
For questions like these, they want you to make a decision. You should have an opinion and defend that
opinion by comparing and contrasting the two options. You should state your opinion in the intro and
again in the conclusion.
As for which of the three formats is better, its really up to you. You need to look at your argument and
decide which format are you most comfortable with, and suites your argument best.
General writings tips to remember:
Your introduction should grab your readers attention with bold statements and have your stated
opinion in it.
Follow it with the evidence to support your opinion (choose one of the three C and C options).
And end with a strong conclusion summarizing what you have said.
There should be no doubt left in the readers mind that you made the right decision.
Task #2 Cats and Dogs
Now you're going to put your knowledge into action. Which are better Cats or Dogs? This is the debate
of the century, I know I have my argument, but I want to hear yours.
Using what you have learned in the Compare and Contrast section, write a compare and contrast essay
on the question: Which are better cats or dogs?
Your essay will be marked on the standard Making Connection Marking Rubric. Take a look at the rubric
before you submit your work.