EXPOSITORY WRITING WORKSHOP
EXPOSITORY DEFINITION:
“SERVING TO EXPOUND, SET
FORTH, OR EXPLAIN”
If this is the definition of expository, what do you think the
definition of expository writing will be?
Expository Writing: writing with a purpose to explain a topic or idea
Organizational Styles
1. Compare/Contrast
Definition: explain how 2+
more things are alike/ different
Example: Explain the types of
changes a student may undergo from
middle school to high school.
As a writer you would have to
explain what the student was like
before (in middle school) and what
student was like after (in high school).
Organizational Styles
2. Cause/Effect
Definition: identifies one or
more causes and the resulting
effects
Example: Explain the
importance of being involved in
your community.
As a writer you would have to explain what
are different things that would cause you to
become involved in the community and what
the effects of your involvement would be
(could be for yourself or for the community as
a whole)
Organizational Styles
3. Definition
Definition: describes
characteristics or features
of something
Example: Explain what it
means to be an American.
As a writer you would have to
explain what are the characteristics
that make a person American.
Organizational Styles
4. Explanatory
Definition: explains a writer’s
position on a topic
Example: Explain whether second
chances are important.
As a writer you would need to choose a position to explain.
Example: Explain why it’s
necessary to give someone a
second chance.
As a writer you are given the position to explain.
Organizational Patterns


Read the four published expository essays
provided.
Decide what organizational pattern each article
follows and complete the designated square for the
specific style.
Organizing your Expository essay
Thesis Statements
A thesis statement is crucial to writing a strong essay.
Without a thesis your reader will not understand the
purpose of your writing.
 Definition:
a single sentence that expresses
what you want your readers to understand; the
controlling idea of your essay and road map
for your paper
 Last sentence of your introduction
Organizing your Expository essay
Thesis Statements
What does a thesis look like? (Basic organization of a thesis)
Main idea of paper + transition word + topics/reasons of paper.
Examples:
Prompt: Explain the types of changes a student may undergo from middle school to high school.
Many students undergo changes from middle school to high school such
as becoming more responsible and feeling more stress.
Prompt: Explain the importance of being involved in your community.
Being involved in the community is important because it helps people
stay connected and gives people pride in their community.
Let’s Practice!
Prompt 1: Write an essay explaining
whether second chances are important.
Prompt 2: Write an essay explaining why it
is sometimes necessary to make sacrifices.
How do I prove my claims?
Evidence
Definition: a specific example used to justify/support your answer.
Just like a lawyer wouldn’t go to court without evidence, you can’t write a paper without
something to prove that your ideas are true!
Types of Evidence
1. Facts and Data:
- information that you would research and cite from reliable sources.
Ex: 80% of American households have internet access. (from
Face the Facts USA)
2. Historical or Literary examples:
- using well known examples from history and literature to prove a point
Ex: Rosa Parks demonstrates how one woman’s involvement in her
community impacted not only a single city but an entire country.
3. Personal examples:
- using your own life experiences to relate to your audience
Ex: Having to balance school work and basketball practice was one
element of my high school experience that caused an increased amount
of stress for me.
Let’s Practice!
In the space provided in your expository notes,
brainstorm evidence examples for the prompts below:
Prompt 1: Write an essay explaining whether second
chances are important.
Prompt 2: Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes
necessary to make sacrifices.
How do I prove my claims?
Analysis
Your audience can’t read your mind. It is up to you to explain how your
evidence proves the point you are trying to make.
Definition: explaining to the audience how your evidence connects to your
thesis.
Using the middle school/high school changes prompt:
Good analysis: Many students experience similar juggling acts as I did, trying
to succeed both academically and with extra curricular activities. Many
students lack the time management skills needed to balance all these
activities, leading to an amount of stress that was not experienced in middle
school.
Weak analysis: Trying to keep up with all my stuff was just crazy. It was really
hard to stay focused on all the things I was supposed to do. I don’t remember
feeling that way in middle school.
Let’s Practice!
In the space provided in your expository notes, write
analysis for your evidence:
Prompt 1: Write an essay explaining whether second
chances are important.
Prompt 2: Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes
necessary to make sacrifices.
Body Paragraph Organization
Body paragraphs should follow this basic outline:
1.) Topic Sentence – shows the main idea of the paragraph
2.) Evidence– facts/data, quotes, examples
3.) Analysis– your analysis, explanation, or interpretation
of your evidence.
4.) Concluding/Transition Sentence – wraps up the main
idea of the paragraph, or leads the reader into the idea
of the next paragraph
Body Paragraph Organization
An example of an entire paragraph:
One negative change that many students experience from
middle school to high school is an increased amount of stress.
Having to balance school work and basketball practice was one
element of my high school experience that caused an increased
amount of stress for me. Many students experience similar juggling
acts as I did, trying to succeed both academically and with extra
curricular activities. Many students lack the time management skills
needed to balance all these activities, leading to an amount of stress
that was not experienced in middle school. Even though the increased
stress can be difficult, learning those time management skills are a
valuable life lesson for students.
Strong Transitions
Purpose: Your reader needs to see how your ideas connect or
where your ideas are about to change.
Here is a toolbox of strong transition words to use in your writing
Therefore
Even though
However
Consequently
Furthermore
Thus, Hence