Expository
Paragraphs
ENG 1P
Objective
O Students will be able to
compose well-organized
expository paragraphs.
What is an Expository
Paragraph?
O A paragraph that gives information on
a topic
O It may explain ideas, give directions,
or proves a point
O An expository paragraph always uses
transition words to help guide the
reader through the explanation
Parts of an Expository
Paragraph
O There are four different components of a
well-organized expository paragraph.
O 1. The Topic Sentence
O 2. The Supporting Details
O 3. Transition Words
O 4. The Concluding or Transitioning Sentence
Topic Sentence
O 1. The topic sentence is the very first
sentence of the paragraph and it should
state the main idea of the paragraph. All of
the other sentences will be about the topic
that you present in the topic sentence. Many
topic sentences will contain a specific or a
general number word.
O For example, "Basketball is my favorite sport
for three reasons" or "There are several
reasons why I want to go to college."
Supporting Details
O 2. The supporting details elaborate upon the
main idea. These sentences, which come
after the topic sentence, should
elaborate upon the main idea by explaining
the main idea more fully, answering
questions the reader might have, or by
giving examples.
STOP!!!
O When including your supporting details
make a note:
O There are always THREE supporting details
in every expository paragraph.
O You should make your POINT, then PROVE it
with an example and then EXPLAIN or
analyze how it relates to the point you made
in your topic sentence.
Structure of an Expository
Paragraph
O Topic Sentence
Argument/Idea #1
- Quotation or other evidence/example and
citation
- Analysis or explain your example and how it
strengthens your point quotation or evidence
Argument/ Idea #2
- Quotation or other evidence/example and
citation
- Analysis or explain your example and how it
strengthens your point quotation or evidence
Argument/Idea #3
- Quotation or other evidence/example and
citation
- Analysis or explain your example and how it
strengthens your point quotation or evidence
Concluding Sentence
Transition Words
O 3. Transition words or phrases should
be used when you present a new
detail. The type of transition words or
phrases you use depend on whether
the sentence is adding more detail,
giving an example, or presenting a
counter-argument .
Concluding Sentence
O 4. The concluding or
transitioning sentence is the last
sentence of the paragraph. It should
either provide a new insight about the
main idea based on the supporting
details, or it should transition into the
next paragraph if you are writing a
longer essay.
Evaluating Paragraphs
O Before you try to write some paragraphs, you
will look at a few examples and evaluate
them based on the rubric above. On each
page, read the paragraph and then use the
response area in the bottom right-hand
corner to type what score you think it should
receive and why.
Example One
O Grand Theft Auto 4 is a better video game than
Spider Man because it is dynamic. You can hijack vehicles such as busses, trucks, boats and
even airplanes. Also, when the cops are in a high
speed pursuit it is so realistic. In Spider Man,
the game, you can’t even drive a car. Another
thing is in GTA 4, you can use a variety of
weapons such as, AR-15, Uzi, M-16, RPG and
more. You can even steal a squad car and
complete vigilante missions.
O LEVEL 2 Paragraph
O Very little explanation
O Repetitive transitions
O Missing concluding sentence
Example Two
O Randy Moss is like the greatest. He's never
been to jail or gotten a strike in history like
other NFL stars. Randy moss played for
about 12 years & was very good. I believe
he was drafted as the first pick, first round
when he came from college.
O
O LEVEL ONE paragraph
O Topic sentence uses text language “like”
O Supporting details are limited and very
unorganized
O Uses improper symbols (&) instead of the
word and
O No transition words
O No concluding sentence
Example Three
O Pittbull raps with Lil' John. Lil' John and
Pittbull sound good together. Pittbull sounds
good by himself; but as a duet they sound
almost perfect. Not to mention, Little John
rocks.
O LEVEL R paragraph
O DOES NOT MEET LEVEL ONE EXPECTATIONS.
O R stands for REMEDIAL and that means your
mark is below a level ONE
Example Four
O The Denver Nuggets are my favorite NBA team for
several reasons. First, I am from Colorado so they are
my home team. I think it is good to show that you are
proud of where you are from by cheering for the home
team. I also like the Nuggets because they have great
players. Chauncey Billups is one of the best point guards
in the league. He's a great leader who knows how to
motivate his team to make everyone better. They also
have Carmello Anthony. Anthony has one of the highest
points per game averages is in the NBA, so you know he
is talented. Finally, I think the Nuggets are great
because they play as a team. Even though they have
good players, they work together and help each other
out. I hope that the Nuggets win the championship
soon.
O LEVEL THREE + paragraph
O Good topic sentence
O Good transitions
O Examples and Explanations could be better
done
O Concluding sentence is good but not great!
REVIEW
O You've just learned how to write an exceedingly excellent
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expository paragraph. Try to always remember that your
expository paragraphs should contain...
1. A topic sentence that states the main idea of the
paragraph so your reader clearly understands what he or
she is reading about.
2. Three supporting details that elaborate upon the main
idea so your reader understands the main idea better.
3. Transition words or phrases that help you move from one
supporting detail to the next in order to help your reader
follow your train of thought.
4. A concluding or transitioning sentence that ties
everything together and provides a sense of closure to the
main idea.
Good luck to you on your future expository endeavors!
Structure of an Expository
Paragraph
O Topic Sentence
Argument/Idea #1
- Quotation or other evidence/example and
citation
- Analysis or explain your example and how it
strengthens your point quotation or evidence
O Transition
Argument/ Idea #2
- Quotation or other evidence/example and
citation
- Analysis or explain your example and how it
strengthens your point quotation or evidence
O Transition
Argument/Idea #3
- Quotation or other evidence/example and
citation
- Analysis or explain your example and how it
strengthens your point quotation or evidence
Concluding Sentence