ELA.8.C.1.5 8.T.SS.1.b 8.10.B

Elements of Writing: Structure and Development 8th Grade

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS): 8.10.B
develop drafts into a focused, structured, and coherent piece of writing by: organizing with purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, coherence within and across paragraphs, and a conclusion; and developing an engaging idea reflecting depth of thought with specific facts, details, and examples;
Florida - Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking: ELA.8.C.1.5
Improve writing by planning, editing, considering feedback from adults and peers, and revising for clarity and cohesiveness
Georgia Math and ELA Standards: 8.T.SS.1.b
Design texts, flexibly employing a variety of text structures and text features to convey information and add style, as appropriate to purpose and audience. (C)

Elements of Expository Writing

Expository writing is nonfiction writing that explains and informs.

Expository texts could explain —

Expository texts can be ORGANIZED in different ways:

Elements of Expository Texts

INTRODUCTION

Notice how the above introduction —

introduces the topic in an interesting, engaging way — "bizarre-looking creature" and "miniature armored alien"

defines the nine-banded armadillo — a mammal that is the official state small mammal of Texas

previews the content and structure — "fascinating" information about the armadillo.

BODY

transitions between ideas and paragraphs to guide the reader's understanding and connect the ideas in a meaningful way.

Notice how the body of the article —

develops four key ideas that are all "fascinating facts" about armadillos; —
- recent immigrants to Texas;
- insectivores with armor to protect them from brush and predators;
- have built-in "life preservers";
- give birth to quadruplet clones.

includes transitions between the ideas in the paragraphs to connect them together and guide the reader's understanding —
- example: Paragraph 2 discusses how the armadillo is protected by its armor. Paragraph 3 discusses how the armor makes the armadillo sink in water, so it uses its built-in life-preserver to float. The sentence at the beginning of Paragraph 3 connects the ideas in these two paragraphs: "While the armadillo's armor can be helpful, it can also be a hindrance."

CONCLUSION

Notice how the conclusion of the article —

briefly summarizes some key ideas — They are not originally from Texas; they eat ants, termites, and other pesky insects; they are adaptable survivors with a unique appearance and behaviors.

gives a sense of closure and completeness — by bringing the topic back to the armadillo's connection to Texas; the alien appearance of the armadillo ("Xenarthan alien"); and the overall topic encapsulated in the title, "The Amazing Armadillo."

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Go to the next page to practice working with the elements of expository texts.

Elements of Writing: Structure and Development