How to start an
expository essay
After-school activities or hobbies give
students an opportunity to do something
they enjoy outside the classroom. Some
students play sports, while others might
enjoy acting or other activities.
 In a well-developed composition, explain
what your favorite activity or hobby is and
why you enjoy it.
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Read the prompt
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Basketball  My topic
Soccer
Softball
Running
Babysitting
Book club
Class officer
Pick: topic-> basketball
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What does it look like? Sound like? Feel
like? Smell like? Seem like? (compare
using similes, metaphors or
personification.)
List: use detail-generating
questions to create a list of details
List
Orange like a pumpkin, sphere, feels like you’re holding the world in your hands,
millions of tiny dots allow me to grip my precious golden sun
Memory: Started when I was 7- basketball camp in the summer time, shooting
hoops in my driveway and at Dean Park, won the Hustle award at Central
Massachusetts Basketball Camp with Mr. D, Mr. Cosenza was my first coach for
Shrewsbury Youth Hoops, then Coach Andre for SMS in 7th and 8th grade, Coach
Bell for JV Basketball
Sweaty, dirty, competitive, dedicated, driven, persistent, tired, find the will
Teamwork: passing, talking, listening, looking, supporting, 5 players,
communication
Knowing and trusting your team mates if the foundation of a team, like
the foundation of a house. You can’t build the structure, the walls, the
windows, the doors unless you have a strong foundation. You can’t
worry about learning man-to-man or different zone defense. You can’t
fuss over plays, three-pointers, break-aways, or trophies until you truly
rely on your team mates and support them. That is the key to a
successful team.
What you need: uniform, sneakers, socks, sweat bands, basketball, music for
warm-up to get in the zone
Learn new positions: point guard, shooting guard, forward, center
Skills: dribble, pass, bounce-pass, chest-pass, shoot, rebound, box-out, steal
the ball
Drills: figure eight, foot-fire, suicides
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Choose Main Ideas - place the blurb
for each main idea on the line.
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Main Idea # 1: what you need
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Main Idea # 2: learning different
positions
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Main Idea # 3: variety of skills
Choose 3 Main Ideas
Plan and organize with the pillar!
Introductory
Paragraph
Body
Paragraphs
Concluding
Paragraph
Lead: engages the reader using a quote,
statistic, anecdote, question, descriptive
segment, or amazing fact
 Overview: background information on the
topic to further engage the reader
 Topic Sentence: ONE sentence that states
the 3 main ideas that will be presented to
the reader
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Introduction: LOTS
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As the blistering, summer sun shines on
my back, beads of sweat drip in my eyes,
and I sprint one more suicide, all I can
think of is winning the Hustle Award! I’ve
come to this basketball camp for four
summers and each afternoon a name is
called and the respected t-shirt is handed
out to a camper that shows true
perseverance. Today the Hustle Award is
mine!
Lead: anecdote

Basketball is a sport that ignites a fire in
me. I began playing when I was sevenyears-old in my driveway and at Dean
Park, shooting hoops with my brothers
and neighbors. As I fell in love with this
sweaty, dirty, fast-pace sport I learned
the importance of teamwork.
Overview
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To be successful at basketball you need
the necessary equipment and clothing, to
learn the different positions, and to
develop a variety of skills.
Topic Sentence
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Body paragraph:
Main idea sentence using sentence starter
Details that are important, showcase the
main idea and tap into your senses
Details are separated into separate
sentences
Transition words or phrases are used to
introduce the next main idea
◦ No one would argue how important having the
appropriate equipment and clothing is to basketball.
First you need a basketball to even think about getting
started. It is covered with millions of tiny dots that allow
me to grip my precious golden sun. My basketball is
WNBA approved and gives off an intoxicating aroma of
leather. Once you join a team you will need to always
wear your uniform to games so you all match. My
uniform is blue, gold, cotton and feels like a million
bucks! It reads Camerato across my back and lets
everyone know who’s house this is. Wearing high-top
sneakers that give ankle support is another top priority.
My white and gold Nike sneakers allow me to sprint,
jump and pivot with comfort and ease. Wearing a sweat
band on your head is an excellent idea if you tend to
perspire quite a bit. I know I do! Matching sweat bands
can be a nice accessory for any team to wear with their
uniforms as well. In addition all of this equipment is
necessary for you to learn the positions.
◦ Furthermore the positions of basketball are vital to
mastering the game.
Restate main ideas
 Leave your reader thinking
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Conclusion RMI-LRT
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Without the appropriate equipment you would not
know where to begin in this crazy game. Clearly
learning the distinct positions is crucial. Without a
doubt, you will be eager to practice the necessary
skills to play hoop! Knowing and trusting your
team mates if the foundation of a team, like the
foundation of a house. You can’t build the
structure, the walls, the windows, the doors
unless you have a strong foundation. You can’t
worry about learning man-to-man or different
zone defense. You can’t fuss over plays, threepointers, break-aways, or trophies until you
truly rely on your team mates and support
them. That is the key to a successful basketball
team.
Conclusion