Lesson Plan: Writing an Expository Essay

Subject: Languages (English) Topic: Writing Curriculum Level: Fourth Level (Scotland) Desired Outcome: I can make appropriate and responsible use of sources and acknowledge these appropriately.

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes

Resources: - Whiteboard or blackboard - Markers or chalk - Handouts with sample expository essay prompts - Internet access (optional) - Printed or online reference materials (optional)

Lesson Objectives: 1. Understand the concept of an expository essay. 2. Identify appropriate and reliable sources for gathering information. 3. Learn how to acknowledge sources appropriately within an essay. 4. Practice writing an expository essay using reliable sources and proper citations.

Lesson Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
   • Greet the students and briefly explain the purpose of the lesson.
   • Discuss the importance of using reliable sources and acknowledging them appropriately in writing.
   • Share the desired outcome: “By the end of this lesson, you will be able to make appropriate and responsible use of sources and acknowledge these appropriately in your expository essays.”
2. Understanding Expository Essays (10 minutes):
   • Define an expository essay as a type of writing that presents information, explains a topic, or provides an analysis.
   • Discuss the characteristics of an expository essay, such as being informative, organized, and focused on facts.
   • Show examples of expository essays or provide handouts with sample prompts for students to analyze.
3. Identifying Reliable Sources (15 minutes):
   • Explain the importance of using reliable sources to support arguments and provide accurate information.
   • Discuss different types of sources, such as books, articles, websites, and interviews.
   • Teach students how to evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources by considering factors like author expertise, publication date, and bias.
   • Provide examples of reliable and unreliable sources, and encourage students to share their own experiences.
4. Acknowledging Sources (10 minutes):
   • Introduce the concept of acknowledging sources through proper citations.
   • Explain the importance of giving credit to the original authors and avoiding plagiarism.
   • Teach students how to use in-text citations and create a reference list or bibliography.
   • Show examples of different citation styles (e.g., MLA, APA) and discuss their purpose.
5. Writing an Expository Essay (20 minutes):
   • Provide students with a prompt for an expository essay (e.g., “Explain the benefits of regular exercise”).
   • Instruct students to brainstorm ideas and gather information from reliable sources.
   • Encourage students to take notes and record the sources they use for later citation.
   • Guide students in organizing their ideas into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
   • Emphasize the importance of using their own words while incorporating information from sources.
6. Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes):
   • Allow students to share their essays or key findings from their research.
   • Recap the importance of making appropriate and responsible use of sources and acknowledging them appropriately.
   • Encourage students to continue practicing these skills in their future writing assignments.

Note: The lesson plan can be adjusted based on the availability of resources and the specific requirements of the Scottish curriculum.