Unit 2: Shared Inquiry (Oct 20/21)

LEARNING INTENTION: 

• To complete research portfolio in preparation for shared inquiry next class
• To introduce the formative informative essay

CONNECT: Find someone who is not in your theme group. Share one or two insights that you have about your theme. Provide feedback on insights- what else might you consider?


UNIT 3: Informative Writing

Standard: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Informational/Explanatory: Definition
Informational/ explanatory writing conveys information accurately. The writer’s purpose is to increase the reader’s knowledge, to help the reader better understand a procedure or process, or to increase the reader’s comprehension of a concept. Information writing begins with the assumption of truthfulness and answers questions of why or how. Writers draw information from what they already know and from primary and secondary sources. They must select and incorporate relevant examples, facts, and details.


What are the characteristics of the informative/explanatory text type?
Informative/explanatory writing conveys information accurately. Writings that exemplify this text type include summaries and instructions. The purpose of informative/explanatory writing is to increase knowledge, explain a procedure, or explore a concept in depth. Specific informative writing styles include literature analysis, compare and contrast, cause and effect.

Let's take a look at a sample informative essay (Fact vs Fiction) and grade it using the Informative Rubric.

Formative Informative Essay: 

Write an informative essay that explains how (your THEME) is presented in the text, ‘Columbine’ by Dave Cullen. Your formative essay should be 4-5 paragraphs long and conform to the Informative Rubric.

E.g. The text ‘Columbine’, Dave Cullen highlights the subjective nature of ‘truth’ and how easily it can be manipulated. 

• Supporting ideas  
• The role of the media in constructing society’s understanding of truth (fact and fiction; myth vs reality)
• Impact of personal bias on interpretation of events (Eyewitness accounts)

Work on your research portfolio.

HW- Complete summative portfolio; be ready for summative shared inquiry next class.