Expository 4: The Outsiders

Choose one of the following.  Research the topic.  Write a two paragraph expository response.  Complete a double entry log with facts and interpretations.  Include the url from your research on the blog and in the written response.

1.  Research one of the characters from "The Outsiders" character list on www.sparknotes.com  -  Then write two paragraphs comparing that character of the 1950s to a youth of today.

2.  Research the plot of "The Outsiders" and write two paragraphs showing two events leading up to the climax, and explain what the resolution was to the conflict.

3.  Research the small town where "The Outsiders" took place and compare it to Pinckney - Writing two paragraphs

4.  Research the author of the book "The Outsiders" and write two paragraphs covering his biography and why he wrote the story.

Expository 3: Research and Write

Instructions:  Select one of the following expository topics (do not pick the same one as before).  Then spend 10 minutes researching that topic.  Complete a double entry log showing your research.  Write one paragraph that contains at least three to five facts that answers the why of your topic.  Remember, opinion is not expository - show the facts (truth) and let that be your influence.

1. Explain why you admire a particular person.
   
2. Explain why someone you know should be regarded a leader.
   
3. Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
   
4. If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
   
5. Explain why you especially enjoyed a particular teacher.
   
6. Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
   
7. Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
   
8. Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
   
9. Explain why getting a drivers license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
   
10. Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.

Expository 2: Research and Write

Instructions:  Select one of the following expository topics.  Then spend 10 minutes researching that topic.  Complete a double entry log showing your research.  Write one paragraph that contains at least three to five facts that answers the why of your topic.  Remember, opinion is not expository - show the facts (truth) and let that be your influence.

1. Explain why you admire a particular person.
   
2. Explain why someone you know should be regarded a leader.
   
3. Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
   
4. If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
   
5. Explain why you especially enjoyed a particular teacher.
   
6. Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
   
7. Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
   
8. Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
   
9. Explain why getting a drivers license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
   
10. Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.

Expository 1 - The Perfect Physique

Instructions:  Read the following two expository paragraphs.  Then research a male perspective of the perfect physique.  Retrieve at least 5 - 7 facts (historical thru current).  Then write a third paragraph with the contrast against the male perspective.  Remember, expository is only just the facts.  Only write the third paragraph in your blog entry.

In Pursuit of the Perfect Physique

Throughout history and through a cross-section of cultures, women have transformed their appearance to conform to a beauty ideal. Ancient Chinese aristocrats bound their feet as a show of femininity; American and European women in the 1800s cinched in their waists so tightly, some suffered internal damage; in some African cultures women continue to wear plates in their lower lips, continually stretching the skin to receive plates of larger size.

The North American ideal of beauty has continually focused on women's bodies: the tiny waist of the Victorian period, the boyish figure in vogue during the flapper era, and the voluptuous curves that were the measure of beauty between the 1930s and 1950s. Current standards emphasize a toned, slender look, one that exudes fitness, youth, and health. According to psychologist Eva Szekely, "Having to be attractive at this time . . . means unequivocally having to be thin. In North America today, thinness is a precondition for being perceived by others and oneself as healthy" (19). However, this relentless pursuit of thinness is not just an example of women trying to look their best, it is also a struggle for control, acceptance and success.

Realistic Ficiton Blog 3

Name Date Hour - Write two more paragraphs carrying the story in any direction you would like. I am still looking at details and sentence variety.

Perhaps it was only the clock - but the anxiousness that filled the house was almost tangible. You could almost feel the weight of the time ticking away. Still she had not answered my question, and it is almost by her silence that I knew what she thought. But sometimes, I assume too much. I have been wrong before. But she had to say something. There wasn't much time left. The plane departs at 3 p.m. and it takes an hour to get to the airport. It is almost two. Thinking back over the last three days, things had not gone entirely as planned. It was supposed to be a wonderful time, spending time with her and just relaxing for a change. The job had proven to be much more of a burden than a blessing. I was just glad to spend some time here, but why this, why now?

I started to get up and she placed her hand on my shoulder to stop me from moving. I froze, wanting to hear and not to hear at the same time. . .

Realistic Fiction Blog 2

Instructions: Read the following Realistic Fiction Prompt. Then write a second paragraph of what will happen next. There are no wrong answers, but you are being graded on the detail and variety of sentences used. A paragraph is 5 - 7 sentences long. Looking for mature writing skills at this point.

The reflection in the windshield was weird. If you looked at it from just the right angle, you could see a globe and a hand holding it. But everytime I looked above the glass, there was nothing there. Every day, it was the same thing. You could only see the reflection in the morning, and only when my brother parked his car in the same spot. If I stared at it too long, the glare would become too bright and I would start to see stars floating around. Then I would blink and the image was gone. Once I ran inside to tell my brother that there was a strange reflection on his windshield and pow! He bopped me on the head, thinking I had done something to his precious car. But my excuses were to no avail. He looked his windshield over and realized nothing was wrong, and then he told me, "Walk to school weasel!"

Usually he gave me a ride, but that day I had to walk. Along the way, I noticed another reflection on another car - it looked like . . . .

Realistic Fiction Blog 1

Instructions: Read the following Realistic Fiction Prompt. Then write a second paragraph of what will happen next. There are no wrong answers, but you are being graded on the detail and variety of sentences used. A paragraph is 5 - 7 sentences long. Looking for mature writing skills at this point.


Lately, the bell only reminded me that my stomach was empty and there was no food at home. Begrudgingly, I grabbed my backpack from my locker; slung it over my shoulder and pushed my way through the crowd of students that seemed to endlessly wander in a multitude of different directions at once. It was clear of course, where the money had gone. But don't know if I want to bring that up with mom. There was of course a way for the money to be returned, but I couldn't let mom know that. She thought I was innocent, or maybe she really knew - but these things have a way of working themselves out.

About 30 minutes later my bus pulled up at the mailbox. The flag was down, so the mail was there. Hopefully, there was a letter from . . .