Florida Writes Information - Expository
The students are scored on a rubric from the state of Florida. The four
parts of the rubric are:
1. FOCUS 2. ORGANIZATION 3. SUPPORT 4. CONVENTIONS (spelling and
punctuation)
Lakeview teachers follow the Lewis method for teaching Expository and
Narrative writing which, we believe, has helped raise our scores.
The Lewis four-paragraph format for Expository writing is as follows:
Paragraph 1 - topic sentence (I love my dog, Buck for two reasons)
Paragraph 2 - first reason to support the topic sentence (with lots of
details why he/she loves Buck, including a short, tiny story to show one
time when this reason was true.)
Paragrah 3 - second reason to support topic sentence (with lots of details
and another tiny story.)
Paragrah 4 - conclusion
For both Expository and Narrative - in order to get higher scores, do the
following:
1. Use STRONG verbs (is,are,were,are wimpy verbs!)
2. SHOW, don't TELL! I can't see happy sad, scared, tired, proud etc. WHAT
are you DOING AND SAYING when you are tired, sad, or proud?
3. Make the reader FEEL your tiredness, happiness etc.
4. Use mature language-big words and interesting phrases. Example: Instead
of saying "The moon was shining last night" say: "The moon sparkled in the
night sky like a diamond in a bed of black coal".
5. Use similes and metaphors
6. Organize and Focus!!
Being too picky about conventions, initially, destroys creativity before it
can blossom!