Assignment 1.5: Outside the Box

1. Learning Targets

2. Examples of Expository Writing

 Exposition, or expository writing, is used to explain, describe, give information or inform your audience.  Although we do focus on the written form of exposition, we can find it in many places. Here are some examples found in the 5 streams of ELA11.

• New Media - news cast, infographic, video
• Composition - instruction manuals, exposition in an argumentative article
• Creative Writing - exposition in classic literature, in dialogue, in prose
• Literary Studies - exposition in classical literature
• Spoken Language - video of speech, lecture

3. ASSIGNMENT 1.5: Outside the Box FORUM

Task:

Find or create an example of expository writing and share it with the class. Be sure to include the following:

1. Chosen Example
2. Short Explanation of your choice.  How does this fit the category of exposition/expository writing?
3. Works Cited in MLA format.  There will be one citation.

Use some of the examples you just read about on page 2:  Examples of Expository Writing".

Don’t feel limited by them, however.   You can use them to get you started.

Take a look at what has already been submitted and try to think outside the box. You will be uploading your examples/assignment to a forum to share with the class.  Go to the main page of the course to access the forum.

Be sure you:

1. Post your example in the 1.5 FORUM:  Outside the Box found on the main page of the course by clicking Add a New Discussion Topic. Use the title of your selection of writing as your title.
2. Reply/Respond to your classmates' examples by clicking on their topic and selecting Reply.  Try using the following prompts to guide your response to another post:  "I wonder...", "I know...", "I can...". 
3. Complete this forum self-assessment and submit to 1.5 FORUM:  Outside the Box Self Assessment on the main page of the course.

Click here for the pdf version of the self-assessment rubric. 

Click here for the Word version of the self-assessment rubric.

Assessment: Below you will find the 4 criteria used to self-assess the assignment.   Consider them as you respond to the prompt.

1. Follows Instructions

2. Thoughtfulness of response

3. Support for stated position

4. Response to another discussion

Estimated Allotted Time: 30 min.

4. Grammar Check Up

Grammar skills are important in many aspects of our life from education to our employment from our social life to our home life. Grammar lays the ground work for effective communication.  When you use your cell phone to call a friend and you have bad reception, you will most likely find that the intent of your conversation will be greatly affected.  Your friend may not understand what you are trying to speak to them about.  The same can be said for our understanding of proper grammar.  Improper grammar can greatly affect the meaning and clarity of our intended message. 

1.  Click on the links below to learn the following grammar lessons:

Solving Sentence-Fragment Problems

Solving Run-On Sentence Problems

2.  Complete these self-marking quizzes to ensure your understanding of the lessons:

Practice Test: Fragments

Practice Test: Fragments and Run-Ons

These assignments DO NOT need to be submitted to your teacher.  Your understanding of these concepts should be displayed in every assignment you submit and your lack of understanding will result in lower grades throughout the course.  They will also be formally assessed on the final exam.  

Go to the main page of the course and write the Grammar Check Up:  Sentence Structure practice quiz.