Expository writing explains your thinking in a
clear and complete way.
Expository = Explain
Break down the word: Expository comes from
expose. To expose something means to show
it. Expository writing means to show your
thinking.
In order to classify as expository, an essay needs:
 to explain/discuss a particular subject matter
 a thesis statement at the end of the introduction that answers the prompt
 strong evidence that backs up the thesis statement (in the body
paragraphs)
 a conclusion that makes a final thought for the audience
In your ANSWER DOCUMENT, you have 26
lines to write on for each essay. You must
write your essay on the correct page of lines so
that it is graded.
In your TESTING BOOKLET, you have 2 ½
pages for practice and drafting space. You can
work there, but the essay needs to be written
in your answer document before your test is
picked up for the day.
1. To show good paragraph organization, indent
your new paragraphs. To indent means you start
the new paragraph about ¼ to ½ inch (about 1cm
to 1.5 cm) inside the edge of the paper.
2. Do not skip lines. Start on the top line and use
all the lines until you are done. Remember to
show when you have begun a new paragraph.
3. Try to write 10-12 words per line. If you use 26
lines with 10 words per line, that gives you 260
words to explain your thoughts. It is not
necessary to fill every line, but it is necessary to
completely develop your thinking.
You’ll need:
Well alright then!
A short introduction paragraph
A clear, strong thesis (answer to the prompt)
Body paragraphs explain a clear real-life example
A conclusion paragraph that restates your thesis
using different wording
 Don’t fill up your page with nonsense, but do try
to fill up the page with well thought-out, concise
wording. No wasted words!
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Four total paragraphs
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Introduction (keep it brief, and end with your
thesis!)
Body Paragraph #1 ( example in support of thesis)
Body Paragraph #2 (2nd example)
Conclusion (1-2 sentences to bring your essay to a
close)
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Read the “Write” portion of the prompt first.
The prompt will be presented with a “Read” part first,
a “Think” part second and a “Write” part third, but
you can choose to read the “Write” part first.
Don’t forget to read the other parts, but it might help
you understand more if you start with the “Write” part
and focus on the assignment.
Highlight the words in the “Write” part so that you
know exactly what to do.
Ask for the prompt to be read aloud.
Use a dictionary to help you understand words.
Ask for clarification of the prompt, if possible.
*The expository prompt page on the
STAAR test typically has a lot of text.
Think of expository in this way:
it is logical and informative.
STAAR English I Writing
Sample Prompt for Expository Writing
2011 Release
Read the information in the box below.
In 1955 medical researcher Jonas Salk introduced an
effective polio vaccine. At the time polio was
considered the biggest threat to public health, yet Salk
refused to profit by patenting the vaccine because he
was more concerned with preventing disease than with
personal gain.
Although many people work to benefit themselves, some people choose to put others first.
Think carefully about this statement.
Write an essay explaining whether people should be more concerned about others than about
themselves.
Be sure to —
• clearly state your thesis
• organize and develop your ideas effectively
• choose your words carefully
• edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Turn and Talk: Why do you think the
state created the prompts this way?
Does a Read-Think-Write prompt help
you? How or how not?
Turn and Talk: Why does the state give
you the reminders of “Be sure to…”?
Turn and Talk: What could you write
about that would fit this prompt?
In 1955 medical researcher Jonas Salk introduced an
effective polio vaccine. At the time polio was considered
the biggest threat to public health, yet Salk refused to
profit by patenting the vaccine because he was more
concerned with preventing disease than with personal
gain.
Although many people work to benefit themselves, some people
choose to put others first. Think carefully about this statement.
Write an essay explaining why people should be more
concerned about others than about themselves.
Steps to Complete Before Writing the Expository Essay
Write an essay explaining why people
should be more concerned about others
than about themselves.
1.) Construct a thesis statement that directly answers the
prompt in a single sentence(last sentence of your
introduction).
2.) Create a “hook,” which is the opening sentence you will
use to begin your entire essay.
3.) Brainstorm examples that you could use in the body
paragraph
Although it is important to help others when
possible, it is also essential to put oneself first in
life. After all, we all have one life, and each
person’s main concern is his own choices in life.
Strong or Weak
WEAK
There is no clear thesis statement. This
will lead to a weaker paper.
Helping another person with a difficult task is a
great thing to do. However, most of us are too
busy with our lives to take time for others. Even
though it is easier to mind our own business, it is
honorable and caring when a person goes out of
his way to help another person.
Strong
or Weak
STRONG
Interesting introduction with
a clear thesis statement- we
know what to expect from this
essay!
Sometimes helping others matters more than
one’s personal gain. Although people work to
benefit themselves, they should always put others
first. People should be more concerned about
helping others than themselves because it is the
right thing to do.
Strong
or Weak
STRONG
Good clear thesis statement; there is a
good transition sentence to lead into
thesis statement.
Why should people put others before
themselves? Why should they, who don’t have
everything they want but don’t necessarily need in
their life, stop for someone less fortunate?
Strong or Weak
WEAK
All rhetorical questions; no hook
sentence; no thesis statement – VERY
weak
Brainstorming before
Writing
Brainstorming before
Writing
News/History
World Events
Books/Movies
School/Commun
ity
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Give a specific example that helps explain your
thesis in each body paragraph.
Do not make your whole paper sound like an
introduction paragraph.
Begin your body paragraphs with a topic sentence.
Body paragraphs develop one clear, specific reason
or example for believing your thesis statement to
be true. Convince your reader to see things as you
see them.
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Personal
Historical
Current Event
Movie or book
Popular culture
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You MAY use first-person since you will be using a
personal example. HOWEVER, do not use phrases
like “I think” or “I believe.”
DO NOT use “you.”
DO NOT make your personal example into a
narrative. You aren’t telling a story; you’re simply
referencing something in your own experience to
support your thesis.
DO NOT make up your personal example.
Use five to eight sentences to develop your idea in
each body paragraph.
 Indent each paragraph, but only use a small indent
in order to save space for yourself.
 Make sure that your examples are SPECIFIC.

During September 11th, when the terrorists
attacked the World Trade buildings, Americans of
all races and ages helped each other escape the
crumbling buildings. The fireman and police
worked overtime and put themselves in danger
from the dust and piles of building scraps to help
pull the injured out from under the rubble. These
men and women gave everyone hope in their
heroic, selfless acts. Their actions reveal that it is
admirable to put others first.
It is important to care about others because then
other people will like you. Everyone wants to have
friends. Caring is part of friendship.
This student received a bad
score because the body
paragraph is too vague. What
does that mean?
A nurse will spend most of her or his day caring
for hurting people. Nurses are one example of
people who put others first.
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Too vague! Develop the idea! Your paragraph
must develop the idea of the nurse helping the
sick. This is an okay start, but it’s certainly not
a paragraph.
Please don’t do this to me. . .
The Red Cross is an organization that
helps people in need. For example, they
respond to hurricane or tornado victims
with places of shelter, blankets, clothing,
and food. The Red Cross people are
volunteers that make life bearable in
times of emergencies. It is important to
help people in tough times; one never
knows when he or she will need
assistance.
This should be the look on my face when I read your expository
essay…
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Your essay will be read by two test readers
who will grade it with a number between 1 and
4. The two numbers will be added together and
that is your essay score.
For example, if two test graders both give you
a 2, then your score is a 4. If one test grader
gives you a 2 and one test grader gives you a 3,
then your score is 5.
This is for essays only. Short answers/OERs
are graded differently.
So what is the top
possible score of both
graders together?
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Yes, your control of language counts, but
remember it is part of the overall message.
If you make errors and they do not take away
from the overall message you are
communicating, you can still receive a high
rating.
The idea is that your language choices and use
should add to the overall essay meaning and
presentation.
•
 Turn
and Talk: Why is
language control important?
Thinking about others before you is a nice thing to
think of, but if you think of yourself first it makes you feel
isolated. Caring about others before you isn’t a bad thing,
but thinking about yourself isn’t bad either. To me I think
of others before me. Some people have the good life,
others don’t. I’ll rather put myself in danger than others
being in danger as well. I’m only one person but risking
myself could save more than one life. When your in a
room where there seems to be a fire some people will
think of themselves while others think of the rest. The
doctor could risk himself of getting polio but he could
save hundreds of lifes that currently have polio. To me
people that think of themselves before others are selfish
and maybe greedy, but others that think of others are kind
people.
What would you rate this essay?
1 2 3 4
What would you rate this essay?
E-books revolutionize the way we use literature by making permanent
online copies of books, making books easier to access, and covering a larger
selection of books than a local library would.
Many civilizations throughout history have had vast libraries of
literature with valuable knowledge of their culture. However, many
historians cannot access these collections because many have been ruined
through natural disasters or by human hand, such as libraries being burned
down. These civilizations did not have permanent and indestructible
versions of their texts such as we do today. We can now rest assured
knowing that future generations can see digital copies of our own books by
simply downloading them off the internet.
E-books have helped me on several occasions. We were studying a
novel in school a couple of years ago, and my class was assigned an
essay over the novel. I did not have the novel with me when it was
assigned, and the local library did not have it either. Thankfully, an
online copy of the book was available. I could finish my assignment
confidentally with a copy of the book on my computer. Not only was it
easily accessible, it was readily available even when the library did not
have it.
E-books have changed the way we use literature. All texts and novels
can be permanently saved, easily accessed and unanimous browsed through
the power of the E-book.
What would you rate this essay?
1 2 3 4
What would you rate this essay?
Humanity has a funny way of contradicting itself sometimes. All
children are taught to share and put others’ needs before their own.
Somewhere down the line, there is the realization that the very people
who preach these things to children do not follow their own rules. It is
very important in society today to remember the bigger picture, which
often includes doing things to help others with no benefit to oneself.
People need to realize that volunteering is a worthwhile and
necessary part of life. Some people think to help others means giving
money when really it is about donating time to help others.
Organizations like Houston Food Bank and the American Red Cross are
always in need of volunteers. For these organizations to be successful,
they need people to donate their time. Our society becomes a better place
when people choose to make a difference.
Soldiers know the value of helping others. They are trained to
assess difficult situations and devise the best plan to succeed. Their
willingness to put themselves in harm’s way displays their concern for
others. Because of their sacrifice, the world is a safer place.
Doing something to help others leads to emotional or moral gain.
On the other hand, doing something for monetary gain is just like money
itself: easily expendable and transient. The memories and feelings one
gets from helping others will never go away. It is worth something. Worth
more than money ever could be.
What would you rate this essay?
1 2 3 4
What would you rate this essay?
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Today, technology continues to reach higher levels know
one thought could be reached before. These new ideas and
inventions can have a huge impact on peoples lives.
Now that sounds far fetched, but the reality is that
peoples lives can change completely because of one button
or click.
For instance, with the elderly. Most old people tend to
slip or fall at one point or another, and what if no one is
home and they cant get up? Well, technology has allowed
seniors to get help without moving. They have a button
around there neck and when pushed a ambulense comes
almost imeditly. This could be the diffrence between life
and death for some people!
But with this technology people wont have to worry
about there parents in a retirement home. Or seniors can
have the freedom they want and deserve.
So lives can be changed by technology from little things
to big things.
What would you rate this essay?
1 2 3 4
What would you rate this essay?
Kevin Pearce suffered a violent crash that shattered his
dream of participating in the Olympics and left him with a severe
brain injury, facing long odds of a successful recovery. Pearce,
who was a rising star and considered a favorite to win a medal in
snowboarding at the Vancouver Games, remembers nothing
about that December night in 2009. As he was preparing for the
Olympic trials, something went awry while he was airborne, and
he slammed his head on the lip of the icy halfpipe. He worked
tirelessly at rehabilitation, ultimately regaining his speech and
vision, while trying to reclaim enough balance to one day ride his
snowboard again. That would be his personal Olympics.
“There are bigger things in life than snowboarding,” he
said during a recent interview. “What’s so cool, though, is that
I’ve been able to deal with it.” He recently got back on his
snowboard and his ride was remarkably smooth, his turns crisp.
He smiled a lot and his personality shone. It was a good day on
the slopes, one of the best daysVIDEO
yet.
Some individuals show remarkable strength and
determination when faced with hardships and obstacles
in life.
Write an essay explaining how determination can help
individuals overcome significant odds in the pursuit of a
dream.