Expository Essays
Purpose: to explain, clarify, or provide the readers with information. Well-written expositions have
clear, central focuses that are developed through carefully crafted presentations of examples or
definitions that enhance the reader’s understanding.
R.A.F.T.S.: to help guide you in your writing
Role- what role do I have as the writer?
Audience- who is my reader?
Format- what format do I use to write to my topic?
Topic- what is my topic of writing?
Strong verbs- did I use strong, vivid verbs and descriptive adjectives throughout my
essay?
Role: In designing writing prompts allow students to take on a variety of roles so that they may explore
different points of view. The role designated in the assignment should suggest whom the writer is as
well as the tone of voice and mood used to convey the point.
Suggested Roles: expert, parent, an object, enemy, a character from history or literature, critic, etc.
Audience: Clearly identify the audience for the writer. A student will write what he or she thinks the
teacher wants if that is the only audience he or she writes for. "Role and audience together give you
specifics about your relationship and attitudes which must be included in your writing." (Adler)
Suggested audiences: self, peers, protester, company, a character from literature or history, etc.
Format: Be specific about the format for the assignment. Students will develop stronger writing skills
if they are challenged to write in a variety of formats.
Suggested formats: essay, narrative, letter, speech, editorial, script, memo, dialogue etc.
Topic: The topic of the assignment should be narrow enough for the writer to address without bring
overwhelmed. Focus the topic to include the skills you are evaluating. A well-developed topic will
encourage well-written papers.
Strong Verbs: Use strong verbs to define what the writer is to do. Include the tense you expect the
writer to use. Most students are more proficient in past tense so it is valuable to develop some
assignments that require present tense verbs.
Suggested Strong Verbs: convince, share, assess, prove, persuade, translate, evaluate, etc.
Expository Essays
Getting Started Means Getting Organized
Getting organized is a vital part of the writing process, which requires critical thinking and lots of
practice. It is important to first analyze the information that you have to understand what is being asked
in the assignment. Next, you need to think about the information that you know about the subject and
decide what is relevant to the topic. Then you must decide which information you will use and where it
will be most effective. These are the very basic steps.
The first step is to analyze the assignment and determine what is being required. If it is written, you
are lucky. You can use a highlighter to note the important words that help define the topic and aid in
setting up the organizational plan. For example, let's assume that you have been given this writing
prompt:
Everyone has been given a present that was really memorable. It could have been for an important occasion or just
for no reason at all. Think about one that you received. Tell us about a present you were given and why it was
memorable. Be sure to include the reason it was given, a description of it, and how you felt when you got it.
This tells us you are to write a narrative essay because you are "telling us about a present you were
given," the subject is a memorable present, and the three main subtopics required are:
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the reason it was given,
a description of it,
and how you felt when you received it.
Once you know and understand the scope of the assignment, you need to plan well and quickly. The
better the planning, the better the essay.
There are many organizational techniques that can help. Graphic organizers help students to plan
their writing.
If you need information or want to learn more about various techniques to organize your thoughts, here are some excellent
places to visit for more knowledge.
General Procedures for Writing an Assigned Essay - a good format to use when writing
Sample Outlines - review and examples
Graphic Organizers - explains the basic spider-ing approach
Graphic Organizers - basic models which are good for younger students
Graphic Organizers - explanations and examples
30 Graphic Organizers
10 Ways to Use Venn Diagrams - really helpful information
Organization Patterns - basic guide for the 5 paragraph essay
Graphic Organizers - arranged according to purpose
Graphic Organizers - Most kinds are here with printable versions
An Essay is Like a Journey - good basic information
General Procedures for Writing an Assigned Essay - a good format to use when writing
Decision Trees - could be used for persuasive essays
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/howto.html
Pick a format that fits your learning style, and practice using it. Soon it will become easy to plan. Once
you master good planning, the essay almost seems to write itself.
Now that organization is no problem, let's get to writing the essay.
Writing the Essay
There are things that one needs to know that contribute to excellence in writing. They are not hard to
learn. Once you know them, they do take practice to gain proficiency. That practice makes all the
difference in the world.
Think of the five paragraph essay as having five separate parts. Learn to master each of the parts one
at a time. As you become proficient with one part, work on proficiency in the next. Writing the
introduction and the conclusion are strongly linked. Working on them in sequence will make the job
easier. Then tackle the body paragraphs, one at a time. With the inclusion of transitions, you will get the
feel and flow of the essay. Put them all together, and you will have the first draft of your essay.
Here are some sites that will help you to improve your understanding and technique of paragraph
writing:
Writing Effective Introductions - clear advice with examples
Thesis Statement - be sure to scroll to check for the answers
What not to do in the Introduction - explains why
Writing and Essay - great visual with examples
Writing Vivid Paragraphs- good examples drives home the points made
How Do I Write Body or Support Paragraphs - good basic information
Transitions - discusses the need for and types of transitions
Transitions - Learn which words to use for varying purposes.
Transition Words and Phrases - a great page to print and refer to often made available by the Texas A&M University Writing
Center
Writing Effective Conclusions - good ideas with examples
Strategies for Writing a Conclusion - These are things to consider
Writing conclusions - good examples help you see the points
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/howto.html
Editing, Revising, and Evaluating
It is important the every writer learn to evaluate and edit his or her own work. One always wants to
put their "best foot forward" and have their efforts understood and appreciated. It is amazing how even
little things can detract from the reader's appreciation of the work. So this area is most important.
Editing is far more than correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It is most important that the
writer check that the logic is well crafted so that the reader is drawn to the point that is made. It is
imperative that the reader not be bored by the use of repeating and dull sentence structure, generalities,
and imprecise word choice. This takes time, but it is time that is well spent. By acquiring the skills
necessary and putting in the time and effort, the writer can take something that is just ordinary and turn
it into an essay that is very good. Having your name on a paper that is well crafted, written and logical
can bring a great deal of positive self esteem.
Be aware that even the best of writers usually have pretty bad first drafts.
Once you are finished, evaluation is most important. After all, you are doing the writing, and you
should know if it is good or not according to accepted standards. Here are some sites to visit to help you
learn to evaluate your own essay.
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6 Trait Analytical Model - comprehensive explanation
General Rubric for Writing - uses a five point system
The Rubric Bank - in PFD format
Rubric for a 5 paragraph Essay - covers the most basic elements
Writing Rubric - kid friendly 5 point scale
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/howto.htm
Expository Essay and Prompts
Expository essays require that the writer give information, explain the topic or define something. To
accomplish that, they are best developed by the use of facts and statistical information, cause and effect
relationships, or examples. Since they are factual, they are written without emotion and usually written
in the third person. That means that the use of the pronoun "I" is not usually found within the essay.
Expository essays also have a distinct format.
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The thesis statement must be defined and narrow enough to be supported within the
essay.
Each supporting paragraph must have a distinct controlling topic and all other sentences
must factually relate directly to it. The transition words or phrases are important as they
help the reader follow along and reinforce the logic.
Finally, the conclusion paragraph should originally restate the thesis and the main
supporting ideas. Finish with a statement that reinforces your position in a meaningful
and memorable way.
Never introduce new material in the conclusion.
Expository Essays: the purpose of the expository essay is to inform, clarify, define, explain, or analyze.
THE FORMAL EXPOSITORY ESSAY
1) INTRODUCTION: introduces your topic/thesis and catches the reader's interest. With an essay
relating to history, set the scene (i.e. time period and persons / countries involved). Perhaps use a
rhetorical question.
2) BODY: expands upon your topic/thesis
3) CONCLUSION: summarizes your topic/thesis
HELPFUL HINTS:
- for a test essay, read the essay question very carefully
- remember to indent your paragraphs
- avoid the use of contractions (i.e. instead of "didn't" use "did not")
- avoid the use of the phrase "a lot of"
- avoid the use of slang and colloquial expressions (i.e. expressions used in everyday informal talk, but
not in formal speech or writing eg "they've had it", "it's a cinch")
- do not say in your introduction, "In this essay, I am going to tell you about..." Let your essay speak for
itself.
- throughout your essay, avoid the use of "you", use "one" instead. eg "You need to consider safety
when doing an experiment." Rather, "One needs to consider safety when doing an experiment."
- watch out for run on sentences
e.g.: The teacher put the question on the blackboard, we all began to write.
This run-on sentence could be fixed several different ways: (i.e.)
a) The teacher put the questions on the blackboard. We all began to write.
b) The teacher put the questions on the blackboard, and we all began to write.
c) As soon as the teacher put the questions on the blackboard, we all began to write.
CHECK YOUR SENTENCES BY READING THEM OUT LOUD TO YOURSELF. DO THEY
SOUND RIGHT?
- use effective transitional expressions between your sentences and paragraphs.
EXAMPLES:
a) Addition: moreover, further, furthermore, besides, and, and then, likewise, also, nor, too, again, in
addition, equally important, next, first, second, third, in the first place, in the second place, finally, last.
b) Comparison: similarly, likewise, in like manner.
c) Contrast: but, yet, and yet, however, still, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, even so,
notwithstanding, for all that, in contrast to this, at the same time, although this may be true, otherwise,
nonetheless.
d) Place: here, beyond, nearby, opposite to, adjacent to, on the opposite side.
e) Purpose: to this end, for this purpose, with this object.
f) Result: hence, therefore, accordingly, consequently, thus, thereupon, as a result, then.
g) Summary, repetition, intensification: in conclusion, to sum up, in brief, on the whole, in sum, in
short, as I have said, in other words, that is, to be sure, as has been noted, for example, for instance, in
fact, indeed, to tell the truth, in any event.
h) Time: meanwhile, at length, soon, after a few days, in the meantime, afterward, later, now, in the
past.
C) PREPARE AN OUTLINE FOR YOUR ESSAY
- an essay is a well organized expression of writing, hence you need a plan before you start to write your
essay. There are several different styles of essay outlines, for instance "webbing" is an excellent
technique that many students are taught. Below is an example of another technique.
Introductions and Conclusions
A good introduction accomplishes two things:
1. Grabs the reader's attention and pulls you into the writing
2. Tells you what the writing is about and states the focus of the writing
3. Is appropriate for the topic and audience.
To Start an Essay
A. Ask a Question
B. State a Startling Fact
C. State a Foolish or Incorrect View
D. Use an Effective Quotation. Try:
“Give me liberty or give my death.”
E. Use an Idiom (figure of speech). Try:
Now you’re in a pickle. No food, no water, no shelter. What are going to do?
F. Use an Anecdote (narrative vignette). Try:
I was living in Arkansas the first time I met prejudice face to face.
G. Give a Definition. Try
Metamorphosis means transformation. I found out this can apply to people as
well as to animals.
H. Describe a Setting. Try:
In a small school, tucked up in a hollow in Kentucky, students are discovering the
power of excellence.
I. Write a Riddle. Try:
What do you call an 8-legged weaver?
J. Use an Alliterative Phrase. Try:
Stepping and stomping. Whirling and swirling. Native Americans turn dancing
into an art.
K. Write Words in Capitals, Bold, or Italics. Try:
STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! The safety patrol wants you!
L. Use an Exclamation. Try:
Whew! Any you thought the desert was hot!
M. Use Noises. Try:
Slurp, slurp. Glug, glug. On a hot day the best thing to quench your thirst is a
tasty fruit drink from Holler Hollow Snack Bar.
N. Use a Sentence Fragment. Try:
A rose in full-bloom. Your favorite perfume. A Steak cooking over charcoal. Our
sense of smell tells us plenty.
A good conclusion accomplishes: a final finish. It is a wrap up, tie up all loose ends of
the paper.
To Finish an Essay
A. Use a reminder statement. It should be subtle, not: “I have told you 3 reasons why I
love books.” Try:
1. Be sure to look for the tell-tale rings on the tree …
2. Remember that not all snakes are …
B. Give a quotation concerning the topic. Try:
1. “Let us all join in preserving the …”
2. “I owe my success to …”
3. “I hope you will be inspired by this to …”
C. Give the author's feelings. Try:
1. The thing I liked best about Girl Scout camp . . .
2. I knew then I would always be happy in . . .
3. This valuable information helped me realize my goal …
D. Write a prediction. Try:
1. The next time you go diving, you will know how to . . .
2. In no time at all, you will be able to reach . . .
E. Write a summary statement. Try:
1. To survive, they must . . . . . . . , and . . .
2. No matter how you look at it, the last thing you want . . .
F. Use an invitation to the reader. Try:
1. The next time you are surrounded by darkness . . . look up and imagine.
2. So, if you find yourself in an argument about policy, try . . .
G. Make a reference to find out more on the topic. Try:
1. For more details . . .
2. Send a self-addressed postcard to . . .
3. There are so many more fascinating things to know about insects. You may
want to . . .
H. Raise a further question about the topic or subject. Try:
1. Cobwebs in your next telescope? Not likely, unless you leave the cap off the
lens!
2. Take a look at yourself. Are you a good citizen?
Student Persuasive/Expository Writing Checklist
FOCUS
I set the purpose of my writing with an interesting beginning.
I stay focused on my position or topic throughout.
If I preview, I write about each point.
I have an effective closing.
SUPPORT
I use specific details and examples to explain.
I use specific words.
ORGANIZATION
I use a logical ordering of my ideas.
I use paragraphs appropriately.
Many of my sentences begin differently.
I use interesting words.
CONVENTIONS
I use complete sentences.
I spell words are correctly.
I use subjects and verbs correctly.
I use correct punctuation and capitalization.
INTEGRATION
5 = A fully developed paper for grade level
4 = Appropriate, but not yet fully developed paper for grade level
3 = Bare-bones developed paper for grade level
2 = Beginning and inconsistent use of writing features.
1 = Does not fulfill assignment
Expository Prompts
1.
My Favorite Type of Music
Writing Situation: Everyone has a favorite type of music. It may be rock, country, rap, classical, or some
other kind.
Direction for Writing: Before you begin to write, think about your favorite kind of music and why you
like it.
Prompt: Now explain, in an essay, why this one type of music has become your favorite. Support your
music choice with examples and details.
2.
My Most Important Thing
Writing Situation: Everyone had one item that is important to him or her.
Direction for Writing: Before you begin writing, think about one item that important to you and why. It
could be something you found, made, or had given to you.
Prompt: Now explain, in an essay, why this one item is important to you. Support your ideas with
examples and details.
3.
A New Stamp
Writing Situation: The U.S. Postal Service had honored many individuals from presidents to singers to
cartoon characters by placing their portraits on postage stamps. Whom would you nominate to honor
with a postage stamp?
Direction for Writing: Before you begin to write, think about why this person should have his or her
own stamp.
Prompt: Now write an essay to tell your reader whom you would choose and explain why that person
should be honored with a postage stamp. Support your ideas with examples and details.
4.
An Animal I would want to Be
Writing Situation: If you could choose to be any animal for 48 hours, what would you be?
Direction for Writing: Before you begin writing, think about what kind of animal you would like to be- a
wild animal, farm animal, or household pet.
Prompt: Now explain, in an essay, why you chose this animal. Support your ideas with examples and
details.
5.
My Favorite Season of the Year
Writing Situation: If you had to choose one season of the year as your favorite, which one would you
choose?
Direction for Writing: Before you begin to write, think about the season you have chosen and why it is
your favorite. You might be thinking about the weather, certain activities in this season, or both.
Prompt: Now write an essay in which you explain why this one season of the year is your favorite.
Support your ideas with examples and details.
6.
The Best Day I Ever Spent with my Family
Writing Situation: What is the best day you have ever spent with your family?
Direction for Writing: Think about the best day that you ever spent with your family. Think about the
reasons that made it the best day ever!
Prompt: Write an essay telling about the best day you ever spent with your family. Include at least 3
reasons in your essay that explain what made it the best day. Be sure to use specific details to support
each of your reasons. Use vivid verbs and adjectives to make your essay interesting to read.
7.
The World Would be a Better Place If …
Writing Situation: If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?
Direction for Writing: Think about things you would change in the world to make it a better place.
Think about reasons you would change them.
Prompt: Choose 1 thing to change in the world to make it a better place. Tell your reader several
reasons why it is the most important thing to change in order to make the world a better place.
Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and
descriptions to make your essay interesting to read.
8.
My Favorite Color Is ….
Writing Situation: Everyone has a favorite color.
Direction for Writing: Think about what yours is and why it is your favorite. Think about things that are
your favorite color and how they make you feel.
Prompt: Write an essay explaining the several reasons why ________ is your favorite color. Remember
to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to
make your essay interesting to read.
9.
How do You Feel about Rainy Day?
Writing Situation:
Direction for Writing: Think about what you do on rainy days. Do you enjoy rainy days or dislike
them?
Prompt: Write an essay explaining several reasons why you like or dislike rainy days. Remember to use
specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make
your essay interesting to read. You might want to include a short personal narrative in a supporting
paragraph or as an introduction.
10.
What is Your Favorite Thing to Do?
Writing Situation: Everyone has an activity that they enjoy doing. It might be playing an instrument, or
a sport.
Direction for Writing: Think about what you like to do the most on a rainy day.
Prompt: Write an essay telling what your most enjoy doing and at least 3 reasons why you like this
activity so well. Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting
adjectives and descriptions to make your essay interesting to read. You might want to include a short
personal narrative in a supporting paragraph or as an introduction.
11.
If I could Visit Any Place, Anywhere in the World
Writing Situation: If you could visit any place in the world, where would you want to go?
Direction for Writing: Everyone has thought about trips they might take and places they would like to
visit. Think of all the places, towns, cities, countries, of the world. Think of the reasons why those
places are so great to you. Now choose one place.
Prompt: Write an essay telling where you would go if you could go anywhere in the world you wanted
to. Write at least 3 reasons why you would like to visit this one place. Remember to use specific details
to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your essay
interesting to read.
12.
Which Pet would you Choose?
Writing Situation: Everyone has thought about a pet that they would like to have. What pet would you
really like to have?
Direction for Writing: Think about reasons you would like to have this pet.
Prompt: Write an essay telling about the pet you would like to have most and at least three reasons why
you would choose it. Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use
interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your essay interesting to read. You might want to include
a short personal narrative telling about your experience with an animal lie this to help explain one of the
reasons why you would like this pet.
13.
My Best Friend
Writing Situation: Best friends are special people in our lives.
Direction for Writing: Think about your best friend and reasons that you like him or her. Think about
things that you enjoy doing together.
Prompt: Write an essay telling about your best friend. Include at least three reasons why he or she is
your best friend. Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting
adjectives and descriptions to make your essay interesting to read. You might want to include a short
personal narrative to help explain one your reasons.
14.
The Most Interesting Insect
Writing Situation: Insects share our world with us. They are almost everywhere around us. What kind
of insect do you think is the most interesting?
Direction for Writing: Think about insects that you have learned about, read about, or observed.
Prompt: Write an essay telling about the insect that you think is the most interesting. Remember at least
three reasons why this type of insect is interesting. Remember to use specific details to support and
explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your essay interesting to read.
Try to use at least one simile in your writing to describe the insect.
15.
What is the Most Important Thing that You have ever Learned?
Writing Situation: People learn things in school and in life. What is the most important thing you have
ever learned? You may have learned how to do something. Perhaps you learned a valuable lesson about
how to get along with people.
Direction of Writing: Think about reasons why this lesson was important to you. Remember to tell at
least three reasons why and what you learned was so important.
Prompt: Write an essay telling about a very important lesson you learned. Use specific details to explain
and support your reasons. To explain one of your reasons, you might include a short personal narrative
about how and what you learned that then helped you later. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive
words to make your essay interesting to read.
16.
My Future Career
Writing Situation: Everyone had an idea of what they would like to do when they “grow up.”
Direction for Writing: Think about the career you would like to have when you finish school. Think
about why you would like to have this career.
Prompt: Write an essay explaining what career you would like to have when you “grow up.” Explain at
least three reasons why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and support
your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to read.
17.
A Family Tradition
Writing Situation: Families have many traditions at holiday time. Some families cook special foods.
Others shop for and wrap gifts, decorate the house, and have many other fun times together.
Direction for Writing: Think of all the traditions that your family have at home around the holidays.
Think of how this tradition was started. When does it occur? What is it?
Prompt: Pick one holiday tradition your family has. Write an expository essay to tell your class about
this one tradition that you like to do with your family during holiday time. Give details and examples to
help make your writing more interesting. Explain at least three reasons why this is what you would like
to do. Use specific details to explain and support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and
descriptive words to make your essay interesting to read.
18.
Being Healthy
Writing Situation: There are many things we can do to keep ourselves healthy. We need to eat healthy
foods, keep ourselves clean, get rest and exercise, and many other things.
Direction for Writing: Think about the things you think are important to do to stay healthy.
Prompt: Write an expository essay to share your ideas with your classmates. Explain at least three
reasons why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and support your reasons.
Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to read.
19.
Something Learned in School
Writing Situation: In school, we learn many things. Some of these things are easy to learn; some are
difficult to learn.
Direction for Writing: Think of all the many things you learned in school. Choose one thing you have
learned in school.
Prompt: Write an expository essay telling this one thing you learned and why it was important to learn.
Explain at least three reasons why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and
support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to
read.
20.
Toys!
Writing Situation: Children love toys! If you were to walk into a toy store, you would see many different
kinds of toys.
Direction for Writing: The reason there are so many different kinds of toys is because we all have
different tastes. Think about the toys you have loved.
Prompt: Now choose one of those toys. Write an expository essay explaining what one toy is your
favorite and why it is a great toy. Explain at least three reasons why this is what you would like to do.
Use specific details to explain and support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive
words to make your essay interesting to read.
21.
Homes
Writing Situation: There are many different kinds of homes. Each home has its own unique look and its
own unique family living inside it.
Direction for Writing: Homes are very important to us. They protect us from bad weather and give us a
place to rest.
Prompt: Write an expository essay explaining why homes are so important. Explain at least three
reasons why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and support your reasons.
Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to read.
22.
Our Teachers are Important
Writing Situation: Students depend on teachers for many things. The work teachers do is very important
to all of us. Think about the teachers you have had and the ways they have helped you. Write an
expository paper explaining how teachers are important. Explain at least three reasons why this is what
you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and support your reasons. Use interesting
adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to read.
23.
A Good Class Pet
Writing Situation: Your class is going to get a classroom pet to take care of and enjoy at school.
Direction for Writing: Think of all the different types of pets we could have in our classroom. What one
animal would you choose? Why?
Prompt: Write an expository paper about one animal that would be a good class pet. Explain why you
think this animal would be a great pet for your class. Explain at least three reasons why this is what you
would like to do. Use specific details to explain and support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives
and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to read.
24.
My Favorite Winter Activity
Writing Situation: There are so many things to do in the winter. Someone living in California might
participate in different winter activities than someone who lives in Illinois.
Direction for Writing: Think of all the winter activities that you may do and can do. Choose one thing
you enjoy doing in the winter.
Prompt: Write an expository paper explaining one thing you like to do in the winter. Why it is
enjoyable? Explain at least three reasons why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to
explain and support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay
interesting to read.
25.
What You need to Know in _____________’s Class
Writing Situation: A new student has moved to your school and is in your classroom. What are some
things he will need to know about your classroom that will help him have a good year?
Direction for Writing: Think of all the procedures and rules and bits of knowledge you have gained in
your current classroom.
Prompt: Write an expository paper explaining some things this new student needs to know and why.
Explain at least three reasons why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and
support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your essay interesting to
read.
Prompt #1: The Best Day I Ever Spent With My Family
What is the best day you have ever spent with your family? Think about the best day that you ever spent
with your family. Think about reasons that made it the best day ever! Write a paper telling about the best
day you ever spent with your family. Include at least three reasons in your paper that explain what made
it the best day. Be sure to use specific details to support each of your reasons. Use vivid verbs and
adjectives to make your paper interesting to read.
Prompt #2: The World Would Be a better Place If...
If you could change one thing to make the world a better place what would it be? Think about things you
would change. Think about reasons you would change them. Choose one thing to change and tell your
reader several reasons why it is the most important thing to change in order to make the world a better
place. Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives
and descriptions to make your paper interesting to read.
Prompt #3: My Favorite Color is...
Everyone has a favorite color. Think about what yours is and why it is your favorite. Think about things
that are your favorite color and how they make you feel. For example, if you liked the color blue, you
might write: "Blue always makes me feel calm. It reminds me of the ocean. I could watch the ocean for
hours. When I do, I always feel peaceful. I can almost hear the soothing sounds of the waves upon a
beach when I look at the color blue." Write a paper explaining several reasons why __________ is your
favorite color! Remember to use specific details to support and explain your reasons. Use interesting
adjectives and descriptions to make your paper interesting to read.
Prompt #4: How Do You Feel About Rainy Days?
Think about what you do on rainy days. Do you enjoy rainy days or dislike them? Write a paper
explaining several reasons why you like or dislike rainy days! Remember to use specific details to
support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your paper
interesting to read. Include a short personal story with one of your reasons. This can be started by
explaining a reason for liking/disliking rainy days in a supporting paragraph and then writing something
like this..."I remember one rainy day when there was nothing to do. My brothers and I decided to play
hide and seek....."
Prompt #5: What is Your Favorite Thing to Do?
Everyone has an activity that they enjoy doing. It might be playing an instrument, or a sport. Think
about what you like to do the most. Write a paper telling what you most enjoy doing and at least three
reasons why you like this activity so well. Remember to use specific details to support and explain your
reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your paper interesting to read. Include a
short personal story with one of your reasons. This can be started by explaining a reason that you like
your activity in a supporting paragraph and then writing something like..."There was a soccer game I'll
never forget that is a really good example of team work..."
Prompt #6: If You Could Visit Any Place in the World, Where Would You Go?
Everyone has thought about trips they might take and places they would like to visit. Write a paper
telling where you would go if you could go anywhere in the world that you wanted to. Write at least
three reasons why you would like to visit this place. Remember to use specific details to support and
explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your paper interesting to read.
Prompt #7: Which Pet Would You Choose?
Everyone has thought about a pet that they would like to have. What pet would you really like to have?
Think about reasons you would like to have this pet. Write a paper telling about the pet you would like
to have most and at least three reasons why you would choose it. Remember to use specific details to
support and explain your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptions to make your paper
interesting to read. Include a short personal story telling about your experience with an animal like this
to help explain one of the reasons why you would like this pet.
Prompt #8: My Best Friend!
Best friends are special people in our lives. Think about your best friend and reasons that you like him or
her. Think about things that you enjoy doing together. Write a paper telling about your best friend.
Include at least three reasons why s/he is your best friend. Remember to use specific details to explain
and support your reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your paper
interesting to read. Include a short personal story about your best friend to help explain one of your
reasons. This can be started by using the words: "An example of this is" .... or "I remember one time
when".
Prompt #9: The Most Interesting Insect
Insects share our world with us. They are almost everywhere around us. What kind of insect do you
think is the most interesting? Think about insects that you have learned about, read about, or observed.
Write a paper telling about the insect that you think is the most interesting. Remember to tell at least
three reasons why this type of insect is interesting. Use specific details to explain and support your
reasons. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive words to make your paper interesting to read. Try to
use at least one simile in your writing to describe your insect.
Prompt #10: What is the Most Important Thing You Have Ever Learned?
People learn things in school and in life. What is the most important thing you have ever learned? You
may have learned how to do something. Perhaps you learned a valuable lesson about how to get along
with people. Think about reasons why this lesson was important to you. Remember to tell at least three
reasons why what you learned was so important. Use specific details to explain and support your
reasons. Include a short personal story about how what you learned helped you later, to help explain one
of your reasons why what you learned was so important. Use interesting adjectives and descriptive
words to make your paper interesting to read.
Prompt #11: My Future Career!
Everyone has an idea of what they would like to do when they "grow up." Think about the career you
would like to have when you finish school. Think about why you would like to have this career. Write a
paper explaining what career you would like to have when you "grow up." Explain at least three reasons
why this is what you would like to do. Use specific details to explain and support your reasons. Use
adjectives and descriptive words to make your paper interesting to read.
Prompt #12
Think of something you made with your own hands. How did you do it? What might you do differently
next time? Write an explanation so clear and complete that someone with little to no experience could
follow your directions and make the same thing.
Prompt #13
Write a clear explanation of ONE of the following:
How to change a tire
How to train an athlete for any sport
How to prepare for a vacation
How to drive on a busy freeway
How to write an essay someone will enjoy reading
Prompt #14
Many parents worry about helping their students be successful in school. Create a piece of writing that
could become a how-to brochure for parents: How to Help Your Child Succeed in School.
Prompt #15
Not all drivers pass their driver's test the first time. Many require two, even three tries. Create a piece of
writing that could become a how-to brochure for new drivers: How to Pass Your Driver's Test.
Prompt #16
Inventions are all around us. Think of an invention that has been especially helpful or harmful to people,
and write a paper that explains why.
Prompt #17
Pretend your class is putting together a time capsule. It might not be opened by anyone for 100 years or
more. This time capsule will tell people in the future what life on earth was like in the 1990s. You can
choose one thing to go inside. Explain what you will choose and why.
Prompt #18
Think of the most valuable thing you own that was not bought in a store. Explain why it is important to
you.
Prompt #19
Write about your name.
Prompt #20
Write about what you would bring for show and tell and why.
Prompt #21
Photograph Writing. Students' comments and actions reflected increased insight as they began to see
photography as rhetoric, as language, and to see the analogies between photographic and verbal
expression. That understanding expanded their concept of literacy and encouraged them to explore new
possibilities in their writing.
Write a story from a photograph.
Prompt #22
Writing to a Symphony. Write a story from a selected symphony.
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