English 8 Unit 3-3

​English 8 UNIt 3-3

Informational Writing

Writing an INformational Essay​

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3-1 Due Date​ 11/14

3-2 Due Date 11/21

3-3 Due Date 11/28

3.4.2 CST Due Date​ 12/05

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​Objectives

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• Identify and avoid common errors related to punctuation.

• Identify and avoid common errors related to capitalization and spelling.

• Write, revise, and edit an informational essay.

• Participate in peer review.​

​Dashes and commas 3.3.1 page 2

​Both the dash and the comma are used to show a pause in a sentence. Commas indicate a slight pause, while dashes indicate a more dramatic pause.

​Nonrestrictive clauses 3.3.1 page 4

​A nonrestrictive clause is a group of words that adds some extra information about a noun in your sentence. This extra info is helpful, but the sentence works without it.

Multiple Choice

Is a nonrestrictive clause set off correctly by a comma or commas?

Dr. Rodriguez, who always assumes the worst, breathed a sigh of relief.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is a nonrestrictive clause correctly set off by a comma or commas?

Dr. Rpdriguez told me my results look good, which is what I wanted to hear.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is a nonrestrictive clause set off correctly by a comma or commas?

Dr. Rodrigues, who is usually full of doom and gloom was happy today.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is a nonrestrictive clause correctly set off by a comma or commas?

Dr. Rodriguez referred me to Dr. Ruger who is a specialist in feet and toes.

• Yes

• No

​Ellipsis 3.3.1 page 6

​An ellipsis shows that words have been left out of a quoted passage. Ellipses are helpful in highlighting specific information within a quote, while leaving out information that may be irrelevant.

Multiple Choice

Which best revises the original quote below in order to use the ellipsis correctly?

According to the brochure, "Animal behavior is the scientific study of everything animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals, and is a major component of the veterinary degree program."

• According to the brochure, "Animal behavior is the study of everything animals do. . . and is a major component of the veterinary degree program."

• According to the brochure. . . "Animal behavior is the scientific study of everything animals do, whether the animals are single-celled organisms, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals, and is a major component of the veterinary degree program."

• According to the brochure, "Animal behavior is the scientific study of everything animals do. . . whether the animals are single-celled organisms, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptieles, birds, or mammals. . . and is a major component of the beterinary degree program.

​Colons with Lists 3.3.1 page 8

​A colon is a punctuation mark that is often used to introduce a list. Make sure the sentence before the colon is a complete sentence.

Multiple Choice

Are all colons used correcty?

I will invite: Becky, Salvador, and Jonathan.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Are all colons used correctly?

Before I am allowed to watch TV, there are three things I must do: finish my homework, walk the dog, and water the plants.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Are all colons used correctly?

Several good TV shows are on at the same time: Gwen Plus Ten: Fashion Flips and Flops: My Way Cool Homeschool and Chill Out.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Are all colons used correctly?

The teacher says we need certain items every day: pencils, pens, paper, and a binder.

• Yes

• No

​Semicolons 3.3.1 page 10

​A semicolon is a punctuation mark that joins two closely related and complete sentences. Only use semicolons once in a while; try not to overuse them.

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​Use a semicolon to join two complete and closely related sentences.

​Use a semicolon with a transitional word or phrase to help make transitions between ideas easier and show the relationship between the two phrases.

​Use a semicolon to separate items in a list that is already using another form of punctuation, such as commas, to make the separation of each item clear.

Multiple Choice

Which of these examples uses a semicolon correctly?

• I want to get the lead role in the play however; I would be satisfied with a supporting role.

• I want to get the lead role i the play; I play three sports.

• I want to get the lead role in the play; however, I would be satisfied with a supporting role.

​Parentheses and brackets 3.3.1 page 12

​Parentheses and brackets are used to clarify information within a sentence. Parentheses can appear in any type of writing, while brackets are typically used in academic writing to clarify information within quoted material.

​Use parentheses to clarify information, provide further explanation, or make a comment.

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Use parentheses to indicate an acronym or abbreviation of a longer name, especially when referring to the acronym later in the text.

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Adding brackets within a quotation makes it clear that you have added a word or words to the original quote.​

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Using brackets within a quotation indicates that you have changed the original wording of the quote

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Multiple Choice

Identify whether parentheses or brackets are being used correctly or not.

My brother said, "The [chocolate chip] cookies, which were baking in the oven, made the whole house smell good."

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Identify whether parentheses or brackets are being used correctly or not.

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) represents the concerns of doctors-in-training.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Identify whether parentheses or brackets are being used correctly or not.

I'm a member of the ASB [Associated Student Body], which is another name for the student council.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Identify whether parentheses or brackets are being used correctly or not.

Maria (in er usual way made the new student feel welcome.

• Yes

• No

​3.3.2 Study

​Misspelled words distract readers, causing them to take your writing less seriously. Misspelling some words can also change the meaning of what you're writing. pages 1-4

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There, Their and They're​ pages 5-6

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Capitalization of Proper Nouns​ pages 7-10

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​3.3.5 Practice page 2

​The first paragraph of your essay is the introduction paragraph.

​3.3.5 page 3

​The middle paragraphs of your essay are the body paragraphs.

​3.3.5 Page 5

​The last paragraph in your essay is the conclusion paragraph.

​3.3.5 page 6 Get help with Transitions

​Transitions connect one idea to the next so that your essay flows well and is easy for readers to understand.

​You'll find help here using such transitions as

also, another, besides, for example and similarly.​

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But, however, in contrast, on the other hand, and unlike.​

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After, finally, first, last, and next.​

​3.3.5 page 7 REvise Revise Revise

​Remember not to write informally.

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All scholastic writing should use formal style.​

Formal language uses more precise words and follows grammatical rules.​ No slang, no contractions..... avoid cliches.

​3.3.5 pages 8-9

​Editing

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Punctuation​

Spelling

Capitalization​

​3.3.5 pages 10-11 Peer Evaluation

​We will not be doing this...... but it's a helpful tool in face to face settings.

​3.3.5 The assignment

​Draft the introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs of your informational essay that compares and contrasts a book and its movie adaptation. What does the film adaptation include from the book, and what does it leave out? How does the adaptation change the story? Use your outline from the previous assignment to guide you. When you are done, put all your paragraphs together into an essay. Then revise and edit them closely, before you submit the finished essay.

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Be sure to check the rubric to see what it says I must look for.... like transitions!!!!​ (3 points)

​Special Treat today! No Exit Ticket...



I'd rather do the Exit Ticket and eat the Brownie Sundae... You too?