Introduce expository writing with a unit that asks writers to craft an essay to explain a belief, value, or priority that is important to them. Mini-lessons within the unit focus on crafting thesis statements and conclusions, selecting...

The beauty of the way this expository writing resource is structured is that the units can be presented as a complete writing workshop or sequenced throughout a course of study

All the tools (and directions) you’ll need  to build an essay are included in a resource designed for learners and educators. The packet can be given to class members or divided into sections and used as part of a series of lesson...

Eighth graders take a stand on a variety of controversial topics with a lesson on argumentative writing. As they view an informative presentation and work with collaborative groups, they decide which side of each argument they want to...

Good discussion questions, quizzes, and tests teach as well as assess. Readers of The Great Gatsby will learn much from the materials in a 36-page packet designed to help students prepare for the AP Literature exam. Included in the...

Students explore three major dramatic concepts using Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. In this dramatic concepts lesson, students research the concepts of universal theme, characterization, and dialogue using the given text. Students...

Students study the speeches of Frederick Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, and Chief Joseph. Students write a story set during the Nineteenth Century Era. Students present their story to the class. Handouts and worksheets are included in the...

This lesson plan serves as an introduction to American literary non-fiction writing and focuses primarily on teaching some basic approaches to recognizing rhetorical strategies adopted for persuasive effect in essays and non-fiction. The...

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] Learn strategies for evaluating and revising an introduction, conclusion, and controlling idea or thesis in an essay.

A screencast lesson defining a conclusion and discussing how to write an effective conclusion. Students learn the traditional conclusion format as well as other formats that may better fit a writer's topic and purpose. Includes a section...

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] Learn strategies for evaluating and revising an introduction, conclusion, and controlling idea or thesis in an essay.

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] This lesson focuses on the introduction which establishes the context for the information that will form the body of the essay, connecting the conclusion to the introduction,...

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] Learn strategies for revising an essay so that it contains an effective introduction, conclusion, and controlling idea or thesis.

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] A learning module that teaches students how to write an organized expository text in five lessons: Introduction, The Type of Burger: The Controlling Idea, Toppings: The...

This lesson introduces conclusions. It is 3 of 5 in the series titled "Conclusions."

This lesson focuses on writing a critical analysis essay over The Crucible by Arthur Miller. It features information about writing the introduction, body, and conclusion; a list of topics to choose from, and the essay requirements. Links...

This is a nine-page PDF entitled "How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay" which explains in detail the parts of a literary analysis and how to write them.

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson, you will learn how to adjust your thesis so it accurately reflects the main idea of your essay. You will learn how to breathe life into a dead introduction...

In this slideshow tutorial, students will review how to write an argument paper. Students will review the parts of the argument paper, which include the thesis, claim, support, and counterarguments. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1, W.11-12.1a...

Notes, a PowerPoint presentation, two videos, a song, an exercise, and a game help students to understand how to write a narrative. Elements of a narrative as well as the use of figurative language and sensory images are introduced and...

In this lesson, students will examine the relationship of man and nature as portrayed in "The Open Boat," based on Crane's suffering from a shipwreck on The Commodore in which he spent thirty hours on a small boat at sea before being...

A series of six screencast lessons explaining the process of argumentative writing. The first [4 min. 22 sec.] focuses on overall structure and purpose. The second [6 mins, 18 secs] explains how to state a claim. The third [6 min. 3...