Expository Essay Planning Sheet (Purpose: To INFORM)
I.
Introduction
A.
Interesting Attention-Getter
B. Thesis Statement (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT--See Notes on Essay Writing Steps)
II.
Body Paragraph 1
A.
Transition + Topic Sentence (Address Point 1 from Thesis Statement)
B. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 1
C. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 1
D. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 1
III.
Body Paragraph 2
E. Closing Sentence for Body Paragraph 1
A. Transition + Topic Sentence (Address Point 2 from Thesis Statement)
B. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 2
C. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 2
D. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 2
IV.
Body Paragraph 3
E. Closing Sentence for Body Paragraph 2
A. Transition + Topic Sentence (Address Point 3 from Thesis Statement)
B. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 3
C. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 3
D. Supporting Detail/Fact/Proof for Point 3
E. Closing Sentence for Body Paragraph 3
V.
Reflective Conclusion
A. Connect to Introduction/Attention-Getter in Some Way
B. RESTATE THE THESIS (VERY IMPORTANT!!!)
C. Reflect upon the BIGGEST MESSAGE/LESSON TO LEARN
Expository Essay Writing Steps
1.
Read the prompt CAREFULLY and UNDERSTAND your task.
a. Highlight/underline key words.
 Ex: Write an essay to explain whether getting everything you want is a positive or negative
thing.
2. Write a BREAKDOWN of your THESIS.
a. Remember to break down your Thesis before writing a statement:
TCP3!
 T---TOPIC
 C---CLAIM (POINT OF VIEW—You may have to choose one, or the prompt may give you a point
of view to write from.)
 P---PARAGRAPH FOCUS
1. BODY P 1
2. BODY P2
3. BODY P3
 Example from Class Prompt:
a.
b.
c.
Topic: Getting everything you want
Claim: is a negative thing
Paragraph Focus: because…
i. Nothing new will ever feel special
ii. It would prevent a person from feeling the satisfaction of
hard work to gain personal awards
iii. Would weaken a person’s determination to try hard
3. Write your THESIS STATEMENT in a complete sentence.
a. The Thesis Statement IS THE CONTROLLING IDEA of your ENTIRE ESSAY; therefore, it is the MOST
IMPORTANT idea in the entire essay! You MUST HAVE AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT!
b. Use the word “because” to connect the paragraph focus to the claim.
c. Use commas to separate items in the paragraph focus list.
d. Reword ideas to keep the thesis statement from being too long.
 Ex: Getting everything you want is a negative thing because nothing new will ever feel special, a person would lose
the satisfaction of gaining awards from hard work, and it would weaken an individual’s determination to try hard.
4. Plan your 5 essay paragraphs on a blank page of your STAAR booklet.
 Memorize the 5 parts of your 5 paragraph planning sheet. (See the Expository Planning Sheet
format.)
5. Write a Rough Draft of your essay on a blank page of your STAAR booklet.
6. Write a Final Draft of your essay on the lined paper in your STAAR booklet.
 Keep in mind that the final draft must fit within 26 lines.
Personal Narrative Planning Sheet

I.
 Purpose: To Write a Personal Story
 Focused upon a personal event from your life
 Will have characters, setting, a plot, and a resolution
 Begins with an interesting introduction and ends with a reflective conclusion
 Must include you’re the reasons for your actions and the consequences of those actions
Contains vivid images, energetic verbs, and elevated vocabulary/advanced dictionary synonyms
 Requires only 4 paragraphs but may have 5
 Keep in mind that your final draft must fit within 26 lines.
Introduction
a. Interesting Attention-Getter
b. Connect a Personal Experience to the Prompt
c. Lead into Your Personal Story
II.
Body Paragraph 1
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
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III. Body Paragraph 2
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
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Share the beginning problem and major events or
consequences that take place afterward.
Include the reasons for your actions and the result of those
actions.
Use vivid images, energetic verbs, and elevated vocabulary to
give your story personality and imagery.
Share the middle of the problem.
Continue to give reasons for your actions and the result of
those actions.
Bring the event/story to a close.
Use vivid images, energetic verbs, and elevated vocabulary to
give your story personality and imagery.
IV. Reflective Conclusion
a. Connect back to the prompt.
b. Relate to the Attention-Getter.
c. Reflect upon the BIGGEST, MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE/LESSON LEARNED, ADVICE, OR WARNING.