What is expository
writing?
How is expository
writing different from
narrative writing?
Standard and EQ:
ELAGSE6W2: Write informative/explanatory
texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,
concepts, and information through the selection,
organization, and analysis of relevant content.
EQ: How can I write an effective
informative/explanatory text that clearly conveys
ideas, concepts, and information?
By the end of this lesson, students
will know about:
• informative text structures (e.g.,
problem/solution, cause/effect, sequential)
• explanatory text structures (e.g.,
description or definition with causes,
motives, or reasons)
• relevant content that supports or explains
a topic
By the end of this lesson, students
will be able to:
• determine the organizational structure that
is most appropriate for the topic and
purpose
• organize ideas, new information, and prior
knowledge to clearly explain the topic
• analyze relevant content
What is expository writing?
It …
1. gives facts.
2. explains.
3. gives steps in a process.
4. presents ideas in a logical
order or sequence.
What key words show it’s an
expository prompt?
1. Most people like some type of music.
Think about your favorite type of music
and explain why you like that particular
type of music.
2. Tell how to make a grilled cheese
sandwich.
3. Explain how two characters in a story
are similar and different.
Explain and tell how are key words.
Narrative vs. Expository
o
• Tells a story
o
• Has action
o
• Author’s purpose: to
entertain
o
• Has conflict & dialogue
• Has characters & theme o
• Has a definite beginning,
middle, and end
• Key words- Tell about a
time, tell what happened
next, and write a story
• Ex. Folktale, fable, myths,
suspense-filled stories
Provides information
Explanations/ directions
Author’s purpose: to
inform or explain
Has a central idea
(thesis)
Organized by:
compare/contrast, cause &
effect, chronological order,
problem & solution, or
question/answer
o Key words- Explain, tell how
o Ex. Internet, biography,
dictionary, encyclopedia
Which type of prompt is
each?
• Create a story set in the future with aliens
as characters. _______________
• There are many positive and challenging
things about the sixth grade. Explain what
these things are. ________________
Narrative or Expository?
1. Narrative
2. Expository
How did you know?
Graphic Organizer
HOOK
Supporting
ideas
conclusion
details
Introductions (Opening paragraph)
Grab the reader’s attention by:
–Asking a question ????
–Onomatopoeia (Bang!)
–Using some key words from
the writing prompt.
Expository Writing uses:
• a plan of what you are going to be talking
about in the paragraphs.
• Each supporting detail starts a new
paragraph.
Essay needs:
•Introduction paragraph (HOOK &
THESIS)
•Body paragraphs (SUPPORTING
IDEAS & DETAILS)
•Concluding paragraph (RESTATE
SUPPORTING IDEAS)=
4-5 PARAGRAPHS
REMEMBER= 3-4 different TRANSITION
WORDS
NOW: Let’s practice
1.When you think of wars, which one was
the worst? 2.Many people would describe
the American Civil War as the most
bitter war in US history. 3.The Civil War
was the result of many factors. 4. One
cause was the different economies of
the North and South. 5. Another reason
for the war was the dispute over states’
rights.6. Finally, one of the most wellknown causes was the battle over
slavery.
Write on the graphic organizer: the hook, the thesis statement,
and supporting ideas.
Thesis Statement----Sentence 3.The
Civil War was the
result of many factors.
Supporting ideas
HOOK- SENT 1- Uses A
QUESTION
Sent
4.
Sent
5
Sent
6
How do I write a comparison
and contrast essay?
Let’s think about it in relation to
comparing and contrasting a book
and a movie…
Compare and Contrast Essay
Organize your essay using one of the
following methods:
• Point by Point Method
• Block Method or Whole-to-Whole
• Similarities and Differences
Let’s think about it in relation
to comparing and contrasting
a book and a movie…
Point by Point Method
In this structure, you explain one point of
comparison before moving to the next
point. For instance, you would write about
the characters in the book and movie in
one section; then you would write about the
setting in the book and movie in the next
section.
Point by Point Method
Introduction
Point #1 (Characters in book and
movie)
Point #2 (Setting in book and
movie)
Conclusion
Block Method or Whole-to Whole
In this structure, you say everything about
one item then everything about the other.
For instance, say everything about the
characters, setting, and plot for the book
then everything about the characters,
setting, and plot for the movie. Whole-toWhole comparison and contrast uses a
separate section or paragraph for each item
you're discussing.
Block Method or Whole-to Whole
Introduction
Book (Characters, Setting)
Movie (Characters, Setting)
Conclusion
Similarities-to-Differences Strategy
In this structure, you explain all the
similarities about the items being compared
and then you explain all the differences.
For instance, you might explain that the
characters and plot were similar in both the
book and movie in the one section. In the
next section, you could explain that the
settings were different. The book took
place during the summer while the movie
took place during the winter.
Similarities-to-Differences Strategy
Introduction
Similarities
Differences
Conclusion
Transitional Words and Phrases
to Compare/Contrast
Compare
Contrast
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
also
and
another
in the same way
likewise
moreover
similarly
too
although
but
even though
however
on the other hand
unlike
yet