Choosing Informative Writing Topics on Animals

The video tutorial guides students through the process of selecting a topic for informative writing. It emphasizes brainstorming three potential topics, choosing one, and then researching it to gather information. Students are taught to identify distinct subtopics for their main topic, ensuring each subtopic is unique and supported by at least six facts. The tutorial provides strategies for effective topic selection and research, using examples like animals to illustrate the process.

What is the main goal of informative writing?

• To express personal feelings

• To teach the reader about a topic or idea

• To persuade the reader

• To entertain the reader

Which of the following is NOT an example of an informative topic mentioned in the video?

• Space travel

• Cellphone development

• Egyptian Pyramids

• Volcanoes

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

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CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What should you do after brainstorming three topics?

• Ask a friend to choose for you

• Choose the topic you know the most about

• Circle the one you are most interested in

• Write a paragraph about each topic

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CCSS.RI.2.1

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CCSS.RL.1.1

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Where is a good place to start gathering information about your topic?

• Your school library

• A shopping mall

• A local park

• Your friend's house

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CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

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Which website is mentioned as a free source of information for upper elementary students?

• Wikipedia

• Ducksters.com

• Qfiles.com

• National Geographic

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CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Why did the narrator choose to write about giant pandas instead of red pandas?

• The narrator knew less about giant pandas

• Red pandas are not real animals

• Giant pandas are more interesting

• There is more information available about giant pandas

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CCSS.RI.6.1

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CCSS.RI.7.8

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What is a key consideration when choosing subtopics?

• They should be popular topics

• They should be easy to research

• They should be distinct enough to write about separately

• They should be similar to each other

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

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How many facts should you find for each subtopic to write a paragraph?

• At least 6

• At least 5

• At least 4

• At least 3

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What is a good formula to follow when writing about animals?

• Describe its characteristics, its diet, and its predators

• Describe its characteristics, its speed, and its habitat

• Describe its characteristics, its color, and its size

• Describe its characteristics, where they live, and what they eat

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CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What should you do once you have identified your subtopics?

• Start writing immediately

• Look for more subtopics

• Ask a friend to review them

• Have a teacher check to ensure they are distinct enough

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