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Expository writing analyzes and explains information to inform or educate your reader.
It requires:•Description•Narration•Emphasis on logic and organization
It is the type of writing you will be doing in college and most likely throughout your career.
Expository Writing
When you enter the workforce, you will find that expository writing is necessary in almost any profession.
Your ability to write exposition requires the same skills necessary to succeed in many careers such as:
• thinking critically •analyzing complex situations•presenting information clearly to coworkers•ability to do good research
An exposition involves good research.
Good research involves using good resources. Good research involves using more than one resource.
RESEARCH
In research, a resource is any reference document, material, person or source you used to acquire information.
What are Resources?
There are 2 types of sources:
1.Primary sources
2. Secondary sources
• Print reference• Electronic reference
•Print references are encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries, atlases, reader’s guides, subject specific books and other special books.
Kinds of EncyclopediasThere are three kinds of encyclopedias.
General Reference• Information on various
subjects arranged in alphabetical order
Specific Reference• Volumes dedicated to a
specific subject.
Special Reference• Like a general
encyclopedia with information, but the subjects may not be arranged in alphabetical order.
• You must use the index volume to locate information on a specific topic.
General Reference Encyclopedias in Byrd Middle School’s Library
World Book Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Americana
The Student Discovery Encyclopedia
Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos
Gran Enciclopedia Hispanica
Compton’s Encyclopedia
Special Reference Encyclopedias in the
Byrd Library Collection
The New Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia
Index re
fere
nce
Specific Reference Encyclopedias
in the Byrd Library Reference Collection • Student Discovery Science Encyclopedia• Encyclopedia of People & Places• Encyclopedia of the Human Body• Encyclopedia of Science and Nature• The Solar System & Space Exploration Library• Biographical Encyclopedia of Scientists• Biographical Connections• America’s Multicultural Heritage• Encyclopedia of America’s Presidents• Encyclopedia of Celebrations and Rituals• Encyclopedia of Myths and Legends• Encyclopedia of Animals of the World• Encyclopedia of Ecology (Make it Work!)• Encyclopedia of Geography (Make it Work!)
NON FICTION BOOKS
These are informational books. They present factual information on specific subjects.
Non fiction books are the best most detailed source of factual information on a given topic.
These books are located in the library according to it’s Dewey Classification.
The AlmanacAn almanac is a handy, desk-size volume packed full of brief facts, statistics, and miscellaneous information on many subjects of the past and present.
The almanac tells about countries, states, governments, population, sports records and champions, academy Award winners, and many, many other bits and pieces of information known as trivia.
YEARBOOKS
A yearbook is similar to an almanac, but it is more likely to be limited to one subject, such as government, or to a definite period of time, such as a single year (such as World Book’s Year in Review or Science Year).
Many encyclopedias are kept up to date with these annual yearbooks which record information about outstanding personalities, developments, and events of the previous year.
THE DICTIONARYA ready reference source that provides information not just on word meaning, but, •pronunciation,•spelling, •parts of speech, •plurals, •synonyms, •antonyms. •It also has illustrations, charts, graphs, tables and lists.
There are many levels and kinds of dictionaries forgeneral use.
There are generally two types of dictionaries available at the library.
1. unabridged- a dictionary that lists nearly all of the words in the English language.
2. abridged- a smaller dictionary that contains only
commonly used words.
AAAN
AND
There are many different kinds of dictionaries:
•Biographical
•Geographical (called a Gazetteer)
•Subject –Related
•Foreign language
Try MeWe are here! We are here! Right on the reference shelf in this library! Come and use me.
Merriam Webster DictionaryWorld Book DictionaryNew Explorer DictionaryThorndike Barnhart Dictionary
Psst, come on over to the computer and try us:
Dictionary.com at http://dictionary.reference.comCambridge dictionary Online at http://dictionary.cambridge.orgOne Look at http://www.onelook.comWord Central. at http://wordcentral.comWriteExpress at http://www.rhymer.com
The Thesaurus
A thesaurus is a special kind of dictionary which lists synonyms and related words. It is especially useful when you are preparing a report or doing creative writing, because it helps you find just the right word.
An atlas will answer your questions about:
•Location: places in the news, rivers, mountains, continents, hemispheres, etc.
•Physical characteristics of the earth: altitude, vegetation, soil, minerals, forests, climate, etc.
•Man-made characteristics: cities and their population, national boundaries, capitals, roads and railroads, mines, crops
•Historical facts: locations of battles and campaigns, growth and expansion of countries and states, changing boundaries, for what the world looked like in the past for example: during the Roman Empire.
Political, physical, subject related, and historical maps for example
this world map during the Renaissance. c.1350-1450
Don’t forget
magazines and
newspapers are
also great print reference sources and will have more up to date
information.
The Internet
• This is the
easiest,• most popular, • most current,• most misused and
abused,• most plagiarized
of all reference sources
To effectively use the internet for retrieving information you should be skilled in:
•Keyword searching (using the right words to find what you need)
Web site evaluation (accurate and updated information)
Search Engines (what’s right for you, your reading level, your grade level)
Wikipedia is a multi-lingual based, free content encyclopedia project.
Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers.
Its articles can be edited by those with knowledge on the subject and is kept current daily.
For example:
•About.com•Aesop.com•All4one•All the Web, all the time•Alta Vista•ASK•Ask for kids•Directhit.com•Dogpile•EducationPlant•EduHound•Excite Netsearch•eZ Find•Find-it!•GoTo.com•Google•Grokker
• Grokker• Hotbot• Ivy• Kids’ Almanac• Kidsites• Lycos• Mamma.com• Metacrawler• MultiCrawl• Northern Light• OneKey• Open directory Project• W3• Webcrawler• Yahoo• Yahooligans
Some common search engines are:
One of the best places to do your internet searches
is through the Los Angeles Unified School District’s
Digital Library
What is the Digital Library?
The LAUSD Digital Library is the second largest school electronic library in the United States.
The Digital Library is a web based library that provides the same information that one can find in a real library, except much more.
The Digital Library gives students, teachers, and administrators access to hundreds of primary print, audio, and video resources that can be used for research projects reports, presentations and assemblies.
A good research paper involves good research.
Good research involves good research skills. There are 6 basic steps in research skills.
These steps are called the “Big 6”.
RESEARCH
What are the Big 6 Research Skills?
•Big 6 Step#1 Task Definition
•Big 6 Step#2 Information Seeking Strategies
•Big 6 Step#3 Location and Access
•Big 6 Step#4 Use of Information
•Big 6 Step#5 Synthesis
•Big 6 Step#6 Evaluation
Fill out Big6 # 1-5 before you begin to work on your assignment.Fill out Big6 #6 before you turn in your assignment. Project Due _______________
Name:__________________________ Teacher: ____________________ Date:_____________
Big6 #1 Task Definition What am I supposed to do? Where do I begin?
What information do I need in order to do this? (Consider listing in question form.)List below information that you feel you need to know at this time. (Attach another sheet of
paper if you need more space.)1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________________
Research Assignment Organizer for Byrd Middle School
by Ms. C.M. Williams, Teacher Librarian
What am I suppose to do? Read and re-read the question or prompt to make sure you understand.
What information do I need in order to do this?
Big 6 Step#1 Task Definition
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
How?
Why?
Magazine(print)____________________
Magazine(electronic)_________________
Video ___________________________
Audiotape_______________________ DVD __________________________ Internet(search engine)_______________IP address_______________________
IP address _______________________
IP address_______________________
Big6 #2: Information Seeking Strategies Where do I begin looking for information? Don’t forget traditional print and human sources as well.Primary sourcesEyewitness _____________________ Historic Document _______________________
Experiment ____________________ Byrd Library ___________________________ Observation ______________________ Other ________________________________
Secondary sources
Book (Nonfiction) _____________________
Book (Fiction)________________________
Dictionary __________________________
Encyclopedia ________________________
Atlas ______________________________
Almanac ______________________________
Newspaper____________________________
If using web sites, how will I know they are good enough for my project?____I will use only those sites evaluated and provided by my teacher or librarian.____I will ask my teacher or librarian for assistance if needed.____I will find my own web sites.
What are the best sources I can use to find the information I am
looking for?
•Reference Books•Subject Specific Books•Electronic Sources•Human Sources
Big 6 Step#2 INFORMATION
SEEKING STRATEGIES
__Other__I can find the sources myself__My teacher__My library teacher__My parents
Big6 #3: Location and Access Where will I find information for my topic?
__Byrd Library __Public Library __Personal Library __Classroom Library __Internet
What are some keywords that I will use in my search for information?
1. ___________________ 2. ____________________ 3. ____________________
4. ___________________ 5. ____________________ 6. _____________________
• Where in the library can I find information about my topic?• Write the Call Numbers, titles, page numbers so I won’t forget them. • Write down web site addresses. • Don’t forget to search Indexes and Tables of Content. (You can do this below or on
separate paper & attach.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Where will I find these sources?•School library•Public library•Internet•Teachers•Other
If using the Internet, list likely key words. See your prompt in Step 1 task definition.
What are some search engines I can use other than Google?
Big 6 Step#3Location and Access
Big6 #4: Use of Information How will I gather and record the information that I find?
__Take notes using note cards
__Take notes on notebook paper
__Take notes using a word processor/computer
__Take notes on a thinking map
__Illustrate concepts
__Use a tape recorder, video camera, or digital camera
__Other: _______________________
__ I will remember to cite my sources using the guide given to me by my
teacher. (You may use Knightcite Citation Service or CiteFast.com)
Big 6 Step#4 Use of Information
How will I record the information I find?
Note cards, notebook paper, graphic organizer, thinking map, illustrations, record.
How will I avoid plagiarism?
Give credit to my sources; paraphrase; write in my own words.
Big6 #5: Synthesis How will I show the results of my research?
__Written paper __Oral presentation
__Multimedia presentation __Other ____________________
How will I give credit to my sources in my final project?Include a written bibliography (“Works Cited” page in MLA format)
After the presentation, announce which sources I used
Other: ____________________________________
What materials or equipment will I need for my presentation?
How much time do I estimate it will take to find the information and complete the project? ___________________________________________________________Timeline for assignment:Ideas for project due by: ________
Information searching and note taking due by: _________
First draft due: _________
Completed project due by: __________
Include here any additional information needed to successfully complete the assignment:
Big 6 Step #5 Synthesis
How will I show my results?
Written paper, oral presentation, performance, multimedia presentation
How will I give credit to my sources?
Works cited page, clusters/chunks, orally if performance.
What materials will I need for my presentation?
Big6 #6: Evaluation How will I know if I’ve done my best?
Before turning in my project, I need to check off all of these items:__What I created to finish the project is appropriate for what I was supposed to do in Big6 #1.
__The information I found in Big6 #4 matches the information I needed in Big6 # 1.
__Credit is given to all my sources in the bibliography MLA format given to me by my teacher.
__My work is neat.
__My work is complete and includes all required heading and other components (name, date, title, margin, spacing, etc.)
__I would be proud to put my name on this work and for anyone to view this work because I know it represents me.
Ancillary notes__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Big 6 #6 Evaluation
How will I know if I have done my best work?
Before submitting assignment, review and:
Create a checklist:•Did I answer the question or complete the task?•Did I give credit to my sources•Is my work neat?•Does my work complete and meet all the requirements of the assignment?•Would I be proud to show this off and put my name on it?
Introductioninventor
Thomas Alva Edison
leader inventions
businessman
contributions&
achievements
family man
Thomas Alva Edison was one of the greatest inventors and industrial leaders in our history.
His most famous and important contributions to the world were his many inventions, such as the telegraph, telephone, electric lighting, and motion pictures.
Not only was he a great inventor, he was also a great business man and leader and had many achievements.
He established many companies still in business today.
Who
BornCity/date
family lifeChild / adult
education jobs
adventures
hobbies
Thomas Alva Edison____________________
Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He was the youngest child. He had 6 brothers and sisters. His mother was a school teacher. His father was a shingle maker and land investor. He had a limited formal education, but because his mom was a teacher, he was taught at home.
Thomas Alva Edison
What
Inventor Inventor
Businessman Businessman
Light bulb phonograph kinetoscope ediphone
General Electric Co. Western Union Motion Picture Patent Co. Manufacturing
Co
When
Thomas Alva Edison____________________
Boyhood 2-11-1847 to 1863
Teen years1863 first invention1868 Boston
Invention years1876- 1915
World War I era – 1920Experimentedbusinesses
Final yearsOct. 1931death
Where
Thomas Alva Edison____________________
born / grew up
JobsPort Huron / Detroit
BusinessmanNew York City
BostonInvention years
Menlo Park1st lab
Final yearshome / deathFort Myers, Florida
How
Thomas Alva Edison____________________
Sold newspapers to earn money for equipment
Read a lot almost everything he could find
Stayed up on currentevents
Interacted with lots of people
Invested in himself
Intellect, ambition,dedication impressed other to invest in him and his ideas
Why
Thomas Alva Edison____________________
Encouraged and supported by family
Wanted to improve quality of life
Wanted to improve on what others had done
Great faith in progress and industry
Valued long and hard work
Quote“Genius is 1 percent inspiration & 99 percent perspiration”