Writing Expository Paragraphs
Using the Step Up to Writing Method
It’s Just a
Formula!!!
• Riddle me this… what • For expository paragraphs…
there is also a FORMULA!
is the FORMULA for
Yay!
finding the area of a • It is the same most every
time
rectangle?
– L x W=Area
• Does that formula
ever change?
• Nope!
• The formula goes like this…
1. Topic Statement (Thesis
Statement) restates the
question
2. Reasons/Facts (Answer the
question)
3. Three Es: Explain, Example,
or Elaborate (give detail)
4. Conclusion
S
T
E
P
Step Up to Writing Is about: the
Writing Process
U
P
Prewriting and Planning
T
O
W
R
I
T
I
N
G
Drafting, Revising, and Editing
Creating a Final Copy,
Proofreading, and Sharing
In order to help
you remember
the order and
purpose of each
sentence in your
paragraph…
Go!
TOPIC SENTENCE: This sentence should
tell the reader where you are going to
“go” with that TOPIC.
Slow
Down!
Answer the question. (Provide a reason or fact if necessary)
I have
assigned
colors to
each type
of
sentence.
Stop!
Three Es: Explain, Elaborate or give an Example
about your reason, detail or fact
Go Back!
Remind the reader of your topic. Answer the question for the
reader, “So what? Why is it important to understand this?”
S
T
E
P
Topic
Reason/Fact (Answer)
U
P
Three Es: Explain, Elaborate,
Examples
T
O
W
R
I
T
I
N
G
Three Es: Explain, Elaborate,
Examples
Conclusion
Remember! You can’t
have YELLOW without
RED!!
Also, don’t forget!!
The more RED you
have, the better
your paragraph
will be!!
Topic Sentence:
• Green means “go;” it asks the writer to decide:
“What am I going to prove?”
“What am I going to explain?”
“What information will I share?”
Reasons/Facts (Answer):
• Yellow means “slow down.”
– Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence. (Answer the question)
Three Es: Explain, example and elaborate
• Red means “stop and explain.”
• Present evidence.
• Provide explanation and examples.
• The more explanation you have for each Reason/Detail or Fact, the better
your paragraph
Conclusion:
• Green means “go back to your topic.”
• ANSWER the following question for your READER, “So what? Why is it
important to understand this?”
• Restate the topic and the position.
• Do not introduce new information.
• Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.
AVOID THE FOLLOWING:
Expository writing is generally considered “Formal”. You want to try to write it in a way that
you think would IMPRESS your parent, teacher or future teacher. Follow the suggestions
below to help you achieve this.
•
AVOID using, I, we, me, you, us, our
•
AVOID using the same word over and over… use a thesaurus to help make your writing
more sophisticated… bigger words, when used correctly, make you sound smarter!
•
AVOID the following words NEVER belong in your paper: STUFF, THINGS, COOL, ANY
TEXTING ABBREVIATIONS (omg, lol, tmi, idk, etc.)
•
AVOID contractions (don’t, can’t, doesn’t, couldn’t, etc.)
•
AVOID giving your opinion unless the assignment specifically asks for it… STICK TO THE
FACTS
•
AVOID exclamation points (they do not belong in these papers)
•
AVOID making stuff up… make sure your paper is factual and that if I ask you where you
found a piece of information you can point to that fact in the book or another source
STANDARD FORMAT FOR HANDWRITTEN
PARAGRAPHS AND PAPERS IN TEXAS HISTORY:
• Full heading in the top right hand corner of the
paper
• A Title that summarizes the topic of the paragraph
(in 4 words or less)
• Indented paragraphs (use the two finger method if
necessary)
• NEAT, readable FINAL COPY handwriting (if I cannot
read it, I cannot grade it)
STANDARD FORMAT FOR TYPED PARAGRAPHS
AND PAPERS IN TEXAS HISTORY:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial, size 12
Double-spaced
Indent your paragraphs (hit the tab key once before you start typing)
Your full heading should be in the top right and corner of the page
A TITLE that summarizes the topic of the paper (in 4 words or less)
Your heading and TITLE should be in the “header” of the paper. To
use the header, do the following:
–
–
–
–
–
–
In Microsoft Word, go to “View” and select “Header and Footer”
Change the alignment to “Align Right” (either click the shortcut button in the bar at the top of the page or go to “Format” then
“Paragraph” and when the box pops up change the “Alignment” to right)
Type your full heading (Full name, TX History, class period and date)
Hit Enter
Change the alignment to center and type the Title of the paragraph/paper
Click “close” on the header and footer menu bar