Writing skills particular to the applications listed here may be taught across the curriculum, although some applications may lend themselves more readily to specific content areas. It is imperative that students write in all content areas in order to increase their communication skills, and ultimately to improve their understanding of content area concepts. When appropriate, other content standards are referenced to show interdisciplinary connections.
Concept 2: ExpositoryExpository writing includes non-fiction writing that describes, explains, informs, or summarizes ideas and content. The writing supports a thesis based on research, observation, and/or experience. |
High School: Grade 9 |
| PO 1. Write an explanatory, multi-paragraph essay that:
a. includes background information to establish the thesis (hypothesis, essential question), as appropriate b. states a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) with a narrow focus c. includes evidence in support of a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) in the form of details, facts, examples, or reasons d. communicates information and ideas from primary and/or secondary sources accurately and coherently, as appropriate e. attributes sources of information as appropriate f. includes a topic sentence for each body paragraph g. includes relevant factors and variables that need to be considered h. includes visual aids to organize and record information on charts, data tables, maps, and graphs, as appropriate i. includes an effective conclusion
Example: Write a report of a science experiment that was conducted in class, describing both the process and the scientific conclusions.
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High School: Grade 10 |
| PO 1. Write an explanatory, multi-paragraph essay that:
a. includes background information to establish the thesis (hypothesis, essential question), as appropriate b. states a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) with a narrow focus c. includes evidence in support of a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) in the form of details, facts, examples, or reasons d. communicates information and ideas from primary and/or secondary sources accurately and coherently, as appropriate e. attributes sources of information, as appropriate f. includes a topic sentence for each body paragraph g. includes relevant factors and variables that need to be considered h. includes visual aids to organize and record information on charts, data tables, maps and graphs, as appropriate i. includes an effective conclusion
Example: Discuss three reasons why the bombing of Hiroshima was a controversial act. |
High School: Grade 11 |
| PO 1. Write a multi-paragraph essay (e.g., compare/contrast, cause/effect, process) that:
a. includes background information to establish the thesis (hypothesis, essential question), as appropriate b. states a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) with a narrow focus c. includes evidence in support of a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) in the form of details, facts, examples, or reasons d. communicates information and ideas from primary and/or secondary sources accurately and coherently, as appropriate e. attributes sources of information, as appropriate f. includes a topic sentence for each body paragraph g. includes relevant factors and variables that need to be considered h. includes visual aids to organize and record information on charts, data tables, maps, and graphs, as appropriate i. includes an effective conclusion
Example: Compose an essay on Alexis de Tocqueville’s 1830s observations on American political and social life. Examine other historical documents to determine how accurate the de Tocqueville’s analysis was, and how his views of society reflect the United States today.
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High School: Grade 12 |
| PO 1. Write a multi-paragraph essay (e.g., analysis, deduction/induction, problem/solution, extended definition) that:
a. includes background information to set up the thesis (hypothesis, essential question), as appropriate b. states a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) with a narrow focus c. includes evidence in support of a thesis (hypothesis, essential question) in the form of details, facts, examples, or reasons d. communicates information and ideas from primary and/or secondary sources accurately and coherently, as appropriate e. attributes sources of information as appropriate f. includes a topic sentence for each body paragraph g. includes relevant factors and variables that need to be considered h. includes visual aids to organize and record information on charts, data tables, maps, and graphs, as appropriate i. includes an effective conclusion
Example: Compose an essay explaining how your school’s service learning program has identified and addressed a community problem. |