EXPOSITORY WRITING
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What is expository writing? It …
Explains- facts, problems, solutions,
information…
Clarifies- gives more information to
make an idea clear.
Defines- makes information clear.
Describes- steps in a process
Informs- gives facts
Explores- problems or solutions
Proves
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EXPOSITORY WRITING
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ESSAYS are
expository writing!
Expository writing appears
in letters, newsletters,
definitions, instructions,
guidebooks, catalogues,
newspaper articles,
magazine articles, manuals,
pamphlets, reports and
research papers and
more!!!!
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focuses on main topic
Has logical supporting
facts
Contains details,
explanations, and
examples
Has strong organization
Has a logical order
Contains smooth
transitions
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ESSAYS MUST HAVE…
A title
 A topic sentence
 Transitions throughout the writing
 Explanations and Examples
 A conclusion
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SPRING BOARD PG 39
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Pg. 38 Spring Boardbrainstorm
Identify areas in your life that have changed, such as responsibilities,
family relationships, friends, hobbies/interests, school, fears,
physical appearance, etc.. Write each area as a topic on the top
line inside a box.
Brainstorm important details on each topic, and write those below
the line. Then, on the line below each box, write one complete
sentence about the topic that could be used as a topic sentence
(T.S.) for a paragraph.
Remember that a topic sentence controls the content of a
paragraph, contains a subject, and reveals an opinion.
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WRITING PROMPT
Draft a paragraph about an area of change in your life.
Choose one of the areas of change from your graphic
organizer.
Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence.
Provide at least two additional sentences to explain the
topic sentence.
Develop and elaborate upon each of those two
sentences with additional commentary that includes
vivid details, clarification, and concrete examples.
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Remember,
A narrative…
• Tells a story.
• Has chronological order
and sequence of
events.
• Has action.
• Has conflicts or
problems.
• Has dialogue.
• Has characters.
• Has a definite
beginning, middle and
end.
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NARRATIVE
EXPOSITORY
is told from a particular point of view
 makes and supports a point
 is filled with precise detail
 uses vivid verbs and modifiers
 uses conflict and sequence as does any
story
 may use dialogue
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Narratives can be Expository
Writing!
Tells a story- using plot, setting etc…
 Proves a point using evidence and
examples.
 Explains how our experiences lead to some
important realization or conclusion about
our lives or about the world
 Describes lessons learned about ourselves
or others or the world.
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What are the key words that show it
is an expository prompt?
Most people enjoy some type of music. Think
about your favorite type of music and explain
why you like that particular type of music.
Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at
times. Explain how you would direct a lost man
to get back to the interstate highway from your
neighborhood.
Tell how to make a hamburger.
YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT
EXPLAIN, DESCRIBE or TELL.
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NARRATIVE ESSAYS
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When you write a narrative essay, you are telling a
story. Narrative essays are told from from a defined
point of view, often the author's, so there is feeling as
well as specific and often sensory details provided to get
the reader involved in the elements and sequence of the
story. The verbs are vivid and precise. The narrative
essay makes a point and that point is often defined in the
opening sentence, but can also be found as the last
sentence in the opening paragraph. (For test taking
purposes, it can be wise to put if first so that the person
grading does not miss it.
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NARRATIVE ESSAY
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Since a narrative relies on personal
experiences, it often is in the form of a story.
When the writer uses this technique, he or she
must be sure to include all the conventions of
storytelling: plot, character, setting, climax, and
ending. It is usually filled with details that are
carefully selected to explain, support, or embellish
the story. All of the details relate to the main
point the writer is attempting to make.
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Narrative Essays
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To write a narrative essay, we need to think
about a moment worth sharing and to think about
finding the significant point in that moment. To
do this, we should think about the new awareness
we gained for ourselves (insights that might
apply to others as well). Finally, writers
incorporate details which will make the incident
real for readers.
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Sample Introduction
Although I have taken many wonderful
vacations, my trip with my two best friends to
New York City is one I’ll always remember.
This was a fantastic trip because of the sights
we saw, the people we met, the plays we
enjoyed, and the laughs we shared.
What’s the topic?
What’s the plan?
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Some typical story transition
words
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One day
Suddenly
During
Until
Yesterday
Meanwhile
Afterwards
While
Typically transitions
are about time. After,
before, since, later
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How to get your story rolling
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Begin by
describing a
character.
LaDarius Smith,
a star on our
school
basketball team,
is very lucky.
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Get the story rolling with
dialogue
“What’s that smell?”
the class complained.
“Finish your
experiment and we’ll
head outside to get
away from it,” said
their teacher.
What punctuation goes
with the words said?
Did you say quotation
marks? You’re right!
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Get the story rolling
Provide a “where” with
prepositional phrases:
 Near the park
 Below the surface of
the water
 In Chicago
 Throughout the
crowded room
 Inside the lunchroom
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Here’s an excellent beginning...
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It was an early Tuesday
morning in Tokyo Japan.
The sun started to rise
over Juan Lee’s house.
Boom! My friend Juan
Lee and I went to see
what was with all of the
commotion. Then the
door came crashing
down. It turned out that
Juan’s Aunt Lee kicked
the door down.
How does he start his
story? How does he grab
interest?
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Summary
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Identify your prompt
Plan your work with an outline.
Give your work a title with an action word.
Grab interest in the beginning
Build your paragraph with explanations,
examples, & evidence following the topic
statement or key statement.
Use strong action words
Use vivid adjectives
Use metaphors
Finished? Reread & reread to improve and
clarify.
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Think – Brainstorm
P-What is your purpose?
 A- Who is your audience?
 C- Content --What are
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your ideas for
details, facts, or
reasons?
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O- Organization --Think
how you want to
structure your paper.
Jot down these ideas.
NOW START YOUR OUTLINE, OR WEB!
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