Deconstructing an Expository Writing Prompt
1. Read the Prompt and Directions from Start-to-Finish
a. Read everything on the page; this is the only way that students will receive instructions
regarding the essay so make sure and read it all.
2. Draw an X on the Information or Statement in the Box
a. Draw an X on the box as a reminder not to reference what is in the box or use any material
within the box.
3. Read “The Actual Prompt”
a. The majority of what is written is either directions for students or an example. “The Actual
Prompt” from all of the writing below is: “Write an essay explaining the benefits of having
companionship.”
4. Analyze the Prompt for the Task
a. “Write an essay explaining the benefits of having companionship.”
TASK: Explain the benefits of companionship.
Read the information in the box below.
Friendship and companionship are important parts of
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many people’s lives. On the other hand, some people
prefer to be “loners” who mostly keep to themselves.
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Think about companionship and why people feel the need for it.
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Write an essay explaining the benefits of having companionship.
Be sure to
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Clearly state your thesis
Organize and develop your ideas effectively
Choose your words carefully
Edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Thesis Statements
A THESIS STATEMENT is a one-sentence statement that expresses the central claim or argument that you
seek to prove in an essay. It typically falls at the end of the introductory paragraph.
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The thesis should contain two parts –
(1) identification of the topic
(2) an explanation of what your essay will prove/demonstrate about that topic.
A thesis must be an arguable statement. There is no point in proving something that is obviously true.
NEVER use “I think,” “I believe,” “I will prove,” or any “I” statement within your thesis.
Using your prompt, consider the following steps in the construction of an effective thesis statement.
Step 1: Brainstorm Concepts
a. Ideas, Concepts, or Qualities – ideas, concepts, and qualities are intangible nouns that cannot be
experienced through any of the five senses; these ideas, concepts, or qualities do not have to be
limited to single words but can also be phrases.
Ex. “support,” “guidance,” “patience,” “sense of belonging,” “outlet for emotion,” “greed,”
“pride,” “connectedness”
b. You will first need to generate a list of ideas, concepts, and qualities that address the prompt.
Ex. If your task is to explain the benefits of companionship, you would focus on
concepts relating to the BENEFITS of companionship including but not limmited to: love,
belongining, social interaction, help, mental stability, connectedness, advancement, sense of
purpose, protection, security, ect.
Step 2: Logically Combine these Concepts and Establish the Connection between Ideas
a. Depending on the prompt, you will pull two to three ideas that mesh well and form a logical
combination of ideas; make sure that the ideas have a logical relationship and direct connection
to the prompt.
b. After choosing two of the concepts to work with, students need to establish the connection
between the two items they have chosen to write about.
Ex. Love and belonging are emotionally related to one another but not too similar and will
allow me to talk about two distinctly different benefits of companionship.
Step 3: Construct Thesis Statement
a. You will then construct a thesis statement that will contain the ideas, concepts, or qualities that
you have chosen; these items will directly relate to the body paragraphs contained within the
piece. Crafting a thesis statement will require multiple attempts and “constructive struggle.”
Ex. Companionship can have many extraordinary benefits for individuals including making them
feel loved and giving them the sense that they belong somewhere.
b. This essay should:
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Explain the benefits of companionship
Present evidence to support the claim that companionship makes people feel loved.
Present evidence to support the claim that gives people a sense of belonging.