E
W
What topic are you writing about?
List whatever comes to your mind about your topic:
_________________ _________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
Distinct: Not the same; separate; different in nature; clear

Highlight any that overlap; are similar; not distinct from one another, in the same color.

Circle three that are distinct from one another.
Ambroise Mod. Graphic Organizer
Expository Writing Page 1

Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
Paragraph 1
Details (circled from brainstorming)
1) ______________________
2) ______________________
3) ______________________
Thesis Statement: (A main idea sentence)
 In general, briefly tell what the whole essay will be about.
A sentence that sums up and states your 2 - 3 details.
Introduction; Hook; Lead: First Sentence of Essay
 Grabs the reader’s attention.
 Paints a picture before the thesis statement.
 You may use: an amazing or unusual fact, a brief story,
This is the first sentence of your essay. onomatopoeia, a quotation, or a rhetorical question that gets the reader thinking about your topic, Main Idea sentence starters. (See
Hook Your Reader handout).
Ambroise mod. Expository Writing
Page 2 of 6

Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
Paragraph 2
Main Detail #1
 Topic/Detail Sentence (main idea): This sentence outlines the main idea.
In general (no details) what this paragraph will be about: Main Idea/Detail
#1
Detail Sentences about this main idea
1) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
5) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Conclusion sentence: Sums up this paragraph’s main thought
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Ambroise mod. Expository Writing
Page 3 of 6

Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
Paragraph 3
Main Idea/Detail #2
 Topic/Detail Sentence (main idea): This sentence outlines the main idea.
In general (no details) what this paragraph will be about: Main Idea/Detail
#2
Detail Sentences about this main idea
1) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
5) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Conclusion sentence: Sums up this paragraph’s main thought
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Ambroise mod. Expository Writing
Page 4 of 6

Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
Paragraph 4
Main Detail #3
 Topic Sentence (main idea): This sentence outlines the main idea. In general (no details) what this paragraph will be about: Main Idea/Detail
#3
Detail Sentences about this main idea
1) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
6) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
7) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Conclusion sentence: Sums up this paragraph’s main thought
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Ambroise mod. Expository Writing
Page 5 of 6

Expository Essay Graphic Organizer
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
Sentence #1: Restates the most important
Statement (Paragraph 1 Thesis Statement)
Sentence #2: Restate three main details
Sentence #3: Leave the reader with a final summary thought.
______________________________________________________
Ambroise mod. Expository Writing
Page 6 of 6