Top 6 Best Lesson Plans for 'Applying Artistic Techniques in Expository Texts' for Grade 9

I. Exploring the Use of Artistic Techniques in Expository Writing.

1. Review of Expository Texts.

- Expository texts are commonly found in many areas of life, serving to provide knowledge about the characteristics, causes, and other aspects of phenomena and objects in nature and society through explanation and description.

- Expository writing differs from narrative, descriptive, expressive, and argumentative writing because its purpose is not to tell a story, express emotions, or argue; rather, it aims to present objective and factual information about various phenomena and objects for the benefit of the reader.

- Common methods used in expository writing include definition, classification, example listing, enumeration, and comparison.

2. Writing an Expository Text with Artistic Techniques.

- Subject of the exposition: The fascinating natural wonders of Ha Long Bay formed by rocks and water.

- The text introduces readers to the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Through subtle sensitivity, Nguyên Ngọc reveals to readers the astonishing uniqueness of Ha Long Bay.

- The main techniques used in the writing: definition, explanation, enumeration.

- Artistic techniques applied: metaphors, similes, personification, associations: "... our boat is as thin as a bamboo leaf, gently bobbing up and down with the tide", "And the ten species of stone creatures crowded throughout Ha Long Bay, aging, rejuvenating, growing more solemn or playful, sadder or happier…", "... all the stone people hurriedly returned to their positions…".

II. Practice Exercises

Question 1

a.

- The expository nature is evident as the fly species is introduced systematically, covering details about its family, breed, living habits, reproductive traits, and physical characteristics, offering reliable knowledge about flies and raising awareness about hygiene and disease prevention.

- The expository methods used are:

+ Definition: A two-winged insect, netted eyes…

+ Classification: Different types of flies.

+ Statistics: The number of bacteria, the reproductive rate of a fly pair.

+ Listing: Net eyes, sticky feet…

b.

- The artistic techniques used include:

+ Personification

+ Narrative details.

c. The artistic techniques aim to capture the interest of younger readers, providing both enjoyment and learning.

Question 2

This paragraph discusses the owl’s behavior, framed through a childhood misconception that is corrected later in life during education. The artistic technique employed here is using the childhood misunderstanding as the central narrative device.

A. KEY CONCEPTS

To make expository writing more dynamic and engaging, additional artistic techniques such as storytelling, self-narration, metaphorical dialogue, personification, or even verse and narrative forms can be applied. These techniques should be used appropriately to highlight the characteristics of the subject being explained and to capture the reader's interest.

The common methods used in expository writing include:

• Definition and explanation.
• Listing.
• Providing examples.
• Using data.
• Comparison.
• Classification and analysis.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1 (Page 14 – Textbook) Read the text 'The Jade Emperor's Judgment of the Blue Fly' and answer the following questions:

• a. Does the text have an expository nature? How is this nature expressed, and which expository methods are used?
• b. What makes this expository text unique? What artistic techniques has the author used?
• c. Do the artistic techniques in this text help enhance the content and make it more engaging for the reader?

Answer:

The text is essentially an expository piece that provides knowledge about flies.

• The Fly’s explanation covers: General traits of the species, behavior, and physical characteristics.
• The Heavenly Judge’s explanation covers: The harm caused by the blue fly.
• The lawyer’s explanation covers: The anatomical structure of the blue fly.

The methods used for exposition include:

• Definition: Flies belong to the insect family.
• Classification: Various types of flies.
• Data usage: Number of bacteria, reproductive rates.
• Listing: Eyes, feet.

b. The unique aspects of this expository text are:

• Format: It is presented as a courtroom narrative.
• Content: The story of the fly is recounted in a storytelling manner.
• Artistic techniques: In addition to the expository methods, the text is written in the form of a courtroom narration, utilizing storytelling, description, metaphor, and personification.

c. The artistic techniques make the expository text more lively and appealing, offering both a fun narrative and informative content.

Question 2 (Page 15 – Textbook) Read the following passage and comment on the artistic technique used for exposition:

My grandmother used to tell me that the owl's call meant ghosts were near. When I asked why, she explained: 'Don't you hear the owl’s cry coming from the graveyard?' Later, in biology class, I learned this was not the case. The owl is a predatory bird that feeds on field mice, pests that harm crops. The owl is a helpful creature, a farmer's ally. The reason it often visits graveyards is that there are plenty of field mice there. Now, whenever I hear an owl, I am not afraid; instead, I’m happy to know that a friend of farmers is nearby.

Answer:

The artistic technique used here is storytelling: recounting the childhood story of the owl's cry believed to signal the arrival of ghosts. However, as the character learns more in biology class, they gain a clearer understanding of the owl’s actual role in nature.

The text uses the explanatory method of clarification.

I - KEY CONCEPTS TO MASTER

1. The Use of Artistic Techniques in Expository Writing

a) Review the following points to refresh your knowledge on expository texts from the 8th-grade literature syllabus:

• Characteristics and features of expository writing;
• Purpose of expository texts (note the difference from other expressive forms like narration, description, emotion, and argumentation);
• Common expository techniques.

Suggestions:

An expository text is commonly used across various fields and serves to provide knowledge about the characteristics, causes, and other aspects of phenomena in nature and society by presenting, introducing, and explaining them.

Unlike narrative, descriptive, emotional, or argumentative texts, expository writing aims not to tell stories, express feelings, or argue a point but to impart objective, factual knowledge about things in the world in a manner that is helpful to the reader.

To fulfill its purpose, expository writing must be scientific, precise, clear, concise, and engaging.

b) Read the expository text 'Ha Long Bay – Stone and Water' (Literature Textbook, 9th Grade, Vol. 1, pages 12-13) and answer the questions:

• What is the subject of the text?
• Does the text meet its goal of providing objective knowledge about the subject? Does it effectively do so?

Suggestions:

The subject of the text is the endless marvels of Ha Long Bay.

The text offers readers insight into the beauty of this World Heritage site. To truly appreciate the infinite beauty of Ha Long, one must have a refined and cultured sense of perception. It is through this sensitivity that the writer provides us with valuable knowledge about Ha Long's charm.

c) Analyze the expository techniques used in the text 'Ha Long Bay – Stone and Water'. How does the language and style of this text differ from other expository texts you've encountered?

Suggestions: Depending on the subject, an appropriate method of exposition should be chosen to achieve the best communication effect. In the case of 'Ha Long Bay – Stone and Water,' to explain the vibrant, ever-changing beauty of Ha Long, the author can't rely solely on traditional expository methods. The 'endless, sentient, soulful' qualities of Ha Long can't be easily captured with basic measurement, listing, or explanations, but require imagination and association.

Identify metaphors, comparisons, personifications, and associations in the text.

II - PRACTICE EXERCISES

1. Identify the main theme of the text

Suggestions: Is this text an expository text? What knowledge does it provide to the reader?

2. What expository techniques did the writer use in the text 'The Jade Emperor’s Judgment of the Blue Fly'?

Suggestions: How were techniques such as definition, classification, analysis, listing, and data usage applied in the expository text?

3. Did the writer use any artistic techniques in the text? What are they? Analyze the effect of these techniques on the exposition.

Suggestions:

• The use of storytelling as an expository method;
• The extensive use of personification;

How does the use of storytelling help with exposition? What is the purpose of using personification? How do storytelling and personification enhance the text’s appeal as an expository piece?

4. Reread the text 'The Style of Ho Chi Minh' and comment on the artistic techniques used in exposition.

Suggestions: Identify descriptive, comparative elements, and more in this text, and explain how they help depict Ho Chi Minh’s unique blend of national cultural heritage and universal humanistic values, balancing greatness with simplicity.

I. Exploring the Use of Artistic Techniques in Expository Texts

1. Review of Expository Texts

- Expository texts are commonly encountered in all areas of life and serve to provide knowledge about the characteristics, nature, causes, etc., of phenomena and objects in nature and society through presentation, introduction, and explanation.

- Common expository methods include: definition, classification, providing examples, listing, presenting data, comparisons, etc.

2. Writing an Expository Text with Artistic Techniques

- Subject of exposition: The stone and water that create the endless wonder of Ha Long Bay.

- The text provides the reader with an understanding of the beauty of this World Heritage site.

- Main expository methods: definition, explanation, listing.

- Artistic techniques employed: metaphor, comparison, personification, association.

II. Practice Exercises

Answer Question 1 (page 13, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Vol. 1):

a.

- The expository nature is evident in the systematic introduction of the fly species, covering their classification, habits, reproduction, physical features, and general knowledge about the fly, all while promoting hygiene awareness and fly control.

- The expository methods used include:

• Definition.
• Classification.
• Data.
• Listing.

b.

- The artistic techniques used include:

• Personification
• Storytelling elements

c. These artistic techniques make the text appealing to younger readers: both enjoyable and educational.

Answer Question 2 (page 14, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Vol. 1):

The artistic techniques used include: the passage about the owl is intertwined with childhood memories and superstitions. Scientific knowledge has dispelled these innocent misconceptions.

Question 1 (page 12, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Vol. 1):

- An expository text provides objective knowledge about natural and social phenomena. It is factual, scientific, precise, concise, and vibrant in language.

- Common expository methods include:

• Definition and explanation.
• Listing.
• Providing examples.
• Using data.
• Comparison.
• Classification and analysis.

Question 2 (page 12, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Vol. 1):

The text 'Ha Long – Stone and Water':

• Subject of exposition: The stone and water that create the unique beauty of Ha Long Bay.
• The text provides objective, scientific, and accurate knowledge.
• Main expository methods: definition, explanation, listing.
• Artistic techniques used: imagination, personification. Imagination evokes possible feelings from explorations, while personification describes the islands.

Practice Exercises

Question 1 (page 13, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Vol. 1):

a. - The expository nature of the text is seen in the indictment and defense, presenting the characteristics of the fly species (family, genus, habits, reproduction, structure, etc.)

- Expository methods used: definition (insect family), classification of fly types, data (bacteria numbers), listing (compound eyes, etc.).

b. The unique feature of the text: the expository text on the fly takes a narrative form, recounting a trial. It incorporates artistic techniques such as personification, description, and metaphor.

c. These artistic techniques highlight the expository content and make the text engaging, especially for younger readers.

Question 2 (page 14, 9th Grade Literature Textbook, Vol. 1):

- The art of storytelling is used. Childhood misconceptions serve as the starting point for the story, leading into a discussion of the owl's behavior, told in the form of a story the grandmother would tell.

- Expository method: explanation.

I. Understanding the Use of Artistic Techniques in Explanatory Texts

Question 1, Page 12, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1: Review the explanatory text.

What characteristics does an explanatory text have? What is its purpose? What are the commonly used methods of explanation?

Answer:

- Explanatory texts are commonly used in all fields of life to provide objective knowledge about the characteristics, causes, and phenomena of objects and events in nature and society through methods of presentation, introduction, and explanation.
- The purpose of an explanatory text is to provide objective knowledge about the selected object, phenomenon, or issue.
- The commonly used methods of explanation include: definition, examples, listing, using data, classification, and comparison.

Question 2, Page 12, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1: Write an explanatory text using certain artistic techniques.

Read the text "Ha Long Rocks and Water, Textbook 9, Page 12" and answer the following questions:
What object does this text explain? Does the text provide objective knowledge about it? Which method of explanation is primarily used? Additionally, what artistic techniques were employed to make the text more vivid and engaging?
Answer:

- The explanatory text is about “The Wonders of Ha Long”.
- The text provides objective knowledge about the subject.
- The primary method of explanation used is explanation.
- The text employs artistic techniques such as description, comparison, listing, and philosophical statements.
Remember:

- To make explanatory texts more vivid and engaging, artistic techniques such as storytelling, first-person narratives, dialogue with metaphors, personification, and even rhymes can be employed.
- These techniques should be used appropriately to highlight the key features of the object being explained and to captivate the reader.

II. Practice:

Question 1, Pages 13 and 14, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1. Read the text "The Jade Emperor Punishes the Green Fly", Page 14, Textbook 9, Volume 1 and answer the questions:
a) Does the text have an explanatory nature? How is this nature manifested? What methods of explanation are used?
b) What makes this explanatory text special? What artistic techniques did the author use?
c) Do the artistic techniques used serve to engage the reader and highlight the explanation effectively?

Answer:

a) - The text has an explanatory nature.
- This nature is manifested in:
+ Listing types: Green flies, cattle flies, yellow flies, vinegar flies.
+ Identifying habitats: Anywhere there is food.
+ Reproduction and harm caused: “Six million bacteria... ecological environment”.
+ Key features: “Fly eyes like a net... no slipping”.
- Methods of explanation used include: Explanation, listing data, and comparison.
b) - This text is special in:
+ Form: Similar to a courtroom transcript.
+ Structure: Resembling a legal debate.
+ Content: Similar to a story about flies.
- Artistic techniques used include: Storytelling, description, and metaphor.
c) The artistic techniques help make the content more engaging and highlight the key explanation effectively.

Question 2, Page 15, Literature Textbook 9, Volume 1:

Read the following passage and analyze the artistic technique used to explain:
My grandmother often told me that when an owl hoots, it signals the arrival of ghosts. I asked her why, and she explained, "Don't you hear the owl's call from the graveyard?" Later, when I studied biology, I learned that wasn't the case. Owls are predatory birds, often hunting field mice, pests that damage crops. Owls are beneficial to farmers. The reason owls frequent graveyards is that there are mice burrowing there. Now, whenever I hear an owl hooting, I am not afraid; instead, I feel happy, knowing that a friend of farmers is nearby.
Answer: The artistic technique used in this passage is storytelling combined with explanation. It narrates a childhood story about the owl's hoot being linked to ghosts and later explaining the true nature of the owl's role in the ecosystem.