Expository Test/Creative Writing

We will take this test online. Make sure you read each question and all of the answer choices carefully. See the directions below:

• Click on the link below
• Enter the room number posted on the board
• Type your name: (last name, first name) 

Socrative-Expository Elements Test

Once you finish your test, you will work on a creative writing narrative. Students are required to write their story from this picture prompt and tell the story behind this picture. This picture may represent the beginning, middle, or end of your story. It should include characters, a good plot, and avoid "dead" verbs whenever possible. You may be able to use some suspense strategies, too! Your story should have the proper English heading and be titled "Creative Writing-Gray" with your own creative title underneath.The story should be at least 2 pages in length. 

You will have time to finish this story on Friday after the ELA benchmark test. 

Caught Ya Grammar

If you misplace the CYG sheets given to you in class, you can print out new ones from the links below.

Caught Ya Grammar 2/27-3/6
Caught Ya Grammar 3/13-3/20

We took notes on expository elements a few weeks ago. We will have a test on it tomorrow. If you misplaced your notes, you can print a new copy below.

Expository Text Notes

Checklist and Rubric

 The final book is due on Monday, March 13th. 

We will have a day in the computer lab to print our books on Thursday, March 9th. If you are not ready to print on this day, you will need to find another time/place to print on your own.

We are so close to having our books complete!! I can't wait to see everyone's final product!

This is a link to the Expository Book Checklist that we will use in class today. We will use this checklist  to ensure we have every requirement complete. The checklist I gave to you will need to be turned in with your book on the day it's due. If you misplace the checklist given to you in class, you can print it out from this link.

Expository Book Checklist


This is a link to the rubric that will be used to grade your expository book. I will use this rubric to grade your book when it is submitted. We have gone over each aspect of the requirements together in class. If you have a question about anything on the rubric, let me know.

Expository Book Rubric

Table of Contents

Once you have finished your text features, you can make your Table of Contents. Do not just look at what page the information is listed in your Google document, consider how you want your book set up. For a cleaner look, you may want each chapter to begin on the right-sided page. Also, don't forget that each chapter must have a creative title (beyond just naming the topic) at the beginning of the chapter AND in the Table of Contents. 

**The Table of Contents should be the first page after your cover. Remember, to add a new page press Ctrl + Enter at the end of the page you want in front of your new page. See me if you need help with this!

Below is an example of a Table of Contents for this book. You should have a creative title with each chapter. 

                                            Table of Contents

Introduction…………………….......………………....……………..….……………1

Chapter 1 (Creative Title) ……………………………………………………...3

Chapter 2 (Creative Title)…… ……………… …………………………..……5

Chapter 3 (Creative Title)………………………………..………………..……7

Chapter 4 (Creative Title)… …………………………… ………………..……9

Chapter 5 (Creative Title)……………………………….. ………….…………11

Glossary………………………………………………......……………....…...………..13

Works Cited.………………………………………………......………….....…………15

Turn It In

Today, we will upload your paper to TurnItIn.com to check for originality and make sure you have paraphrased well.

Uploading a paper to Turnitin.com

1. Go to Turn It In
2.  Create account
3. When it looks like you need an email address, don’t do that. Just click student at the bottom.
4. Enter Class ID and passwor (on the board), your name, your TCS email address (Sally1234@trussvillecityschools.org), password (use the same password you use to log in to Chromebook), Security question. Then click “I agree and Continue.”
5. After you are logged in, click on our class name
6.  click the blue "Submit" button
7. Click on "Cut & Paste" and change it to "Single File Upload"
8. Add your book topic as the submission title
9. Choose Google Drive
10. Click "Allow"
11. Choose the document "Expository Book + Works Cited" and click "select"
12. Click "upload"
13. Once the paper has uploaded, click confirm

You should be able to view your originality report and make changes as needed. 

Expository Book: Intro, Glossary, Cover Page

Introductory Paragraph (Friday, 2/24/17)

Now that the paragraphs are written, we need to introduce them in an engaging way. Today, we will write introductory paragraphs for our entire book. A good “formula” for this introductory paragraph is a topic sentence, five sentences describing each chapter individually, and a concluding sentence. This formula would equal to seven sentences. This is just a suggestion.

Your introduction should accomplish the following:

• Grab your reader’s attention in a good lead with a quote, a scene, or a critical thinking question.  
• Give clues about the topic of each chapter (without saying “chapter two will be about…”).

Lead Option 1: Quote  

Begin your introduction with a famous quote if you are writing about a person, or quote a fact from your research that shares something interesting about your topic.

Lead Option 2: Scene  

Set up a scene that helps your reader picture your topic in action.

Lead Option 3: Critical Thinking Question  

 Ask a question that makes your reader wonder about your topic.  Be sure to avoid yes or no questions and questions that talk directly to your reader. Ex/ Do not say, “Have you ever heard of Abraham Lincoln?”

Here is link that has examples for all of the suggestion above. It also have revising tips for individuals that finish early: Introduction Examples and Revising Tips

Glossary (Monday, 2/27/17)

You will need to create a glossary for your book. The glossary should have at least eight words used in your book that are specific to your book topic. You need to choose words that the reader may not know on his/her own. Here are the steps to follow for your glossary:

1. Find eight words that are in your chapters that the reader may not know. If you cannot find eight good glossary words, you may need to revise your chapters and use higher level vocabulary. 
2. Make the eight words you find bold font and underline them in your chapters.
3. List each word in alphabetical order in your glossary with the definition of the word. There is already a page for your glossary on your "Expository Book + Works Cited" Google Doc. 

Cover Page (Thursday, 3/2/17)

You will need to create a Title Page for your book. The cover page should be colorful, have a creative title, and have your name as the author.

Roots Test

We will have a roots test tomorrow in reading class. You can use this quizlet, in addition to your notes, to study for the test. Roots Quizlet