Inform and Explain

Chapter 3 of Gallagher's book is all about informing and explaining. The truth is we will not all grow up to be professional writers, but the ability to proficiently write/ express oneself through writing is vital. I know I have personally written letters of complaint, sent friends and bosses emails, written instructions to a friend on how to take care of my turtle while I was out of town. The fact is, we need to know how to write.

Informing and explaining can be anything from the "How to" essay (how to tie a tie, how to make a peanut butter sandwich, etc) to explaining how something works, but if we want kids to write these kinds of essays, we need to make them more interesting. Gallagher starts the chapter with a list of 10 ways to botch something (it's a sarcastic list), and my favorite was to the new teacher (66-67). The list is as follows:

1. Assign, don't teach
2. Beat a topic until it's deader than a doornail
3. Talk and talk and talk
4. Don't explain your grading criteria
5. Come to class unprepared
6. Pretend you know stuff that you really don't know
7. Don't create any of your own lessons
8. Play favorites
9. Try to be "cool"
10. Jam your political views down your student's throats

Gallagher uses the above list as a model for his students, then asks them to make similar lists. Each item below the list has a brief explanation. The idea is to get kids thinking critically, and working towards the ultimate goal, which is the "explanatory" essay.

I also like the lesson, "Sometimes you Can judge a book by it's cover" (pp 72) which has kids explain how their _________ (fill in the blank) reveal(s) who they are. Some samples are cell phone, backpack, shoes, Starbucks order.

Another great one was "How to survive _______(fill in the blank)" (pp 86). This essay has students write explained lists on how to survive something, like a day at Disneyland, or the 9th grade. This list also has explanations below each entry.

The last mini lesson I loved was "Look closely" (pp 86) which has students look at a pictures up close and personal, and try to guess what it is. They will write a short story explaining what the item is.

The point of all these sample mini lessons, and the many more in the book is to get kids exploring the informative and explanatory essays. Gallagher says that it is unlikely kids will grow up and have to write an essay on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, however, they will likely have to explain on a job application why they want the job or write to an insurance agency why the accident wasn't their fault. By giving kids the chance to creatively write explanatory and informative essays, we are doing them a great service.

Until next time, happy blogging!