Introduction

By: Munjiana Padalecki

Sriwijaya University

My Webquest explains a helpful way to produce a written and oral work about a certain topic in an expository format. Students will write a detailed paper about one of the listed topics by explaining, describing, or informing the audience about the topic, and then presenting a visual representation of the paper topic in a how-to format to the class.

Task

How many of you enjoy showing or even telling an audience about something that you are familiar with? I know that as a teacher I receive great joy when I teach someone something new, and now I would like you each to do the same. Each student will choose a topic form the ones that I have listed, and then prepare an essay and speech that explains how to do something in regards to the topic. If a student chooses how to bake a cake, I want not only a written explanation, but a visual representation as well.

Of course, as often as a students think they know all there is to know about a particular topic, they may be surprised to find out that there is much more information out there after researching, that they had never been knowledgable of. Therefore, to insist on the improvement of your knowledge, we will be taking a day of class time,(Monday) to research the topics. Again, if someone chooses how to bake a cake, find out where cakes orignated from, or what type of cakes are available. Be creative! Two class periods will be set aside to write and proofread papers. Finally, two class periods will be set aside to write and prepare speeches, but I insist that you do a lot of this work at home. Visual aids are also a must so that the audience gets to view exactly what it is you are able to do. Oral presentations and the papers will be due one week from Monday, so get started!

WEB QUEST OBJECTIVES

1. Students will choose a topic from the list of topics that they are familair with to present to the class in a how-to-do format slated for a minimum of five minutes.

2. Research will be conducted to produce a high quality paper about facts pertaining to the topic.

3. The paper is to include an introduction, a minimum of three body paragraphs, and a conclusion, resulting in a 3-5 page paper. Some information, but NOT all should be expressed in your speech.

Process

1. Students will choose one of the five topics listed to prepare an expository paper, as well as an expository speech including a visual aid to enhance the speech. Topic Choices Include: How to Juggle, How to Make a Cake, How to Make Guacamole, How to Dance the Salsa, How to Draw a Person

2. Possible Sources for Each Topic:

http://yoyoguy.com/info/ball/index2.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Bake-a-Cake

http://www.ehow.com/how_3213_make-guacamole.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_7826_salsa.html

http://tearain.tripod.com/hp/draw/draw.html

Other articles are available and should be used to make up the four sources necessary for this assignment.

3. Research facts about each topic to produce information relevant to the topic. I would like a minimum of 4 sources total, but more are encouraged.

4. To tie into the conclusion, I would like you to explain why you chose the topic, and what you found out that you did not already now.

5. Writing your Paper

Write a 3-5 page paper in MLA format. Include an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Always double space and maintain a 12 point font. Insert a header with a page number. Include a Works Cited page with all sources properly cited. When completed please have stapled.

If you are having trouble with MLA style please visit:http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

If you are having trouble with MLA Works Cited please visit:http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/09/

5. Speech Writing and Delivery

Using certain information from the paper, produce a 5-6 minute speech showing a how-to-do format about one of the topics. I do not want to hear word for word what the paper includes. I would like you to try to memorize this speech, but note cards are acceptable. Always maintain eye contact. The rubric included will list all categories that I will be observing.

If you are having trouble preparing a speech please visit:http://www.ehow.com/how_3473_write-speech.html

Important steps on how to deliver a great speech:http://www.ehow.com/how_3476_deliver-speech.html

Evaluation

Expository Paper Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Introduction (Organization)	The introduction is inviting, states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper.	The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not particularly inviting to the reader.	The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader.	There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper.
Sequencing(Organization)	Details are placed in a logical order and the way they are presented effectivelykeeps the interest of the reader.	Details are placed in a logical order, but the way in which they arepresented/introduced sometimes makes the writing less interesting.	Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader.	Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing isorganized.
Transitions(Organization)	A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.	Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.	Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.	The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistant.
Focus on Topic (Content)	There is one clear, well-focused topic.Main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information.	Main idea is clear but the supportinginformation is general.	Main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information.	The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Conclusion (Organization)	The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that they understand what the writer is "getting at."	The conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all the loose ends.	The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends.	There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.
Flow & Rhythm (SentenceFluency)	All sentences sound natural and are easy-on-the-ear when read aloud. Each sentence is clear and has anobvious emphasis.	Almost all sentences sound natural and are easy-on-the-ear when read aloud, but 1 or 2 are stiff and awkward or difficult to understand.	Most sentences sound natural and are easy-on-the-ear when read aloud, but several are stiff and awkward or are difficult to understand.	The sentences are difficult to read aloud because they sound awkward, are distractinglyrepetitive, or difficult to understand.
Adding Personality (Voice)	The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them "his own."	The writer seems to bedrawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack ofownership of the topic.	The writer relatessome of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds nothing to the discussion of the topic.	The writer has not tried to transform the information in a personal way. The ideas and the way they areexpressed seem to belong to someone else.
Sentence Structure(Sentence Fluency)	All sentences are well-constructedwith varied structure.	Most sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.	Most sentences are well-constructed but have a similar structure.	Sentences lackstructure and appear incomplete or rambling.
Grammar & Spelling (Conventions)	Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Sources (Content)	All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly.	All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and most are cited correctly.	Most sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly.	Many sources used for quotes and facts are less than credible (suspect) and/or are not cited correctly.

Total Points Possible: 40

Oral Presentation Rubric

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Stays on Topic	Stays on topic all (100%) of the time.	Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.	Stays on topic some (89%-75%) of the time.	It was hard to tell what the topic was.
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Props	Student uses several props (could include costume) that show considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop that shows considerable work/creativity and which make the presentation better.	Student uses 1 prop which makes the presentation better.	The student uses no props OR the props chosen detract from the presentation.
Preparedness	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Time-Limit	Presentation is 5-6 minutes long.	Presention is 4 minutes long.	Presentation is 3 minutes long.	Presentation is less than 3 minutes OR more than 6 minutes.
Posture and Eye Contact	Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.	Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.
Volume	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.	Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most ( 94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Often mumbles or can not be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
Enthusiasm	Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.	Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.
Comprehension	Student is able to accurately answer almost all questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer most questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer a few questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is unable to accurately answer questions posed by classmates about the topic.

Total Points Possible: 40

Grand Total Points Possible: 80

Conclusion

Once research is completed, you will be able to fully understand how to do what your topic entails, as well as learn even more important fact pertaining to the topic that is chosen. You will be aware of how to describe and explain in an expository manner in that of an essay format, as well as become able to showcase this knowledge in a visual format. I hope that you find this entertaining, and learn even more than you thought you would.

Credits

Created By:

Munjiana Padalecki

Feel free to use anything that looks appealing to you!!

Pictures found at:

http://www.1clipart.com/browse.php?p=people|children

http://www.webquest.org/questgarden/lessons/20216-060328160718/credits.htm

Permissions
We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is granted for others to use and modify this WebQuest for educational, non-commercial purposes as long as the original authorship is credited. The modified WebQuest may be shared only under the same conditions. See the Creative Commons Attribution • Non-Commercial • Share-Alikelicense for details.

Teacher Page

Teachers:

Many students have trouble explaining or describing certain topics. Public speaking can be a major conflict as well. With all the instructions listed, students should be able to learn how to properly write a paper, and express their information clearly to the class. Practice makes perfect, and this assignment helps students learn in an entertaining manner.

Expository Essay Assignment (WRITING)