English I: Expository Essay Assignment
I. Prompt: You are a person who has the ability to influence rules or laws—maybe a
public school official, a politician, or a parent (the choice is yours)—and three of your
rules have become rather unpopular. In an essay (at least two typed pages in length) that
addresses those who dislike your rules, identify these unpopular rules, examine possible
reasons for their notoriety, and explain why these rules are beneficial to those involved.
II. Purpose: --Why are you writing this essay?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
--List the three things you must accomplish with this essay:
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
--List six rules (or laws, policies, etc.) that are likely unpopular:
1. __________________________
2.___________________________
3. ___________________________
4. __________________________
5. ___________________________
6. __________________________
--Circle three of those rules that are likely most unpopular:
III. Audience: Identify pertinent characteristics of your audience members. Are they
young, old, educated, poor, related to you, etc.?
1. _____________________
2. _________________________
3. _____________________
4. _________________________
5. _____________________
6. _________________________
IV. Genre:
A. Essay: a writing that presents a thesis statement (an argument backed up by
evidence, details, explanation); this thesis statement guides the direction and
organization of the essay.
B. Expository Essay: a writing that provides explanation: how to do something;
the intent of something; why something is the way it is; etc.
Characteristics of an Effective Expository Essay
I. Title: A word or group of words (center yours at the top of the first page) that very
briefly captures the essence of the essay’s purpose
II. Introduction Paragraph (paragraph 1)
Remember A.C.T.
A. Attention Getter (enticing lead)
* First, in a sentence or two, get your reader’s attention with a question, a
startling statistic, an interesting quote, or a brief bit of action-packed
narration.
B. Context
* Describe the situation, background information that has prompted this
essay.
C. Thesis Statement
* Briefly present your argument—what you believe—concerning each of
the unpopular rules.
III. Body Paragraphs (paragraphs 2-4)
Remember T.E.A.
A. Topic Statement
* At the beginning of each body paragraph, identify one of the disliked
rules that you mentioned in your thesis statement.
B. Explanation of the Antithesis
* In each body paragraph, explain why each rule is unpopular;
provide details and examples.
C. Argument for the Thesis
* In each body paragraph, argue your thesis by explaining why each rule
is warranted (needed).
IV. Conclusion (paragraph 5)
Remember R.S.C.
A. Restatement of Thesis
* Reword your original thesis.
B. Summary of Key Points
* Briefly remind your reader of the unpopular rules and why they are
needed.
C. Completion of the Circle
* Tie up all loose ends with a clever remark, quote, stat, etc. that reminds
the reader of how the essay began—the attention getter—thus completing
the circle.
**Things to Remember:
1. Using formal language that adheres to American Standard English, write in complete
sentences.
2. Avoid slang and the word “you.”
3. Skip a line between each line of writing.
Thomas Jefferson
1st hour
September 27, 2010
Example Introduction Paragraph
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average American citizen will pay
more money to Uncle Sam in his lifetime than what he spends on his home. Though
most Americans would probably agree that some taxation is necessary to keep the State
operational, some taxes are not entirely popular. Among these notorious tolls are taxes
on service members’ benefits, on inheritances, and on online purchases. In cases such as
these, Uncle Sam may seem like a greedy kid, constantly crying, “Give me! Give me!”
Uncle Sam, however, needs these taxes to provide his citizens with essential services,
safety, and sound infrastructures.
More Sample Attention Getters
1. Question:
Will the average American spend more money on taxes than on his house?
2. Quotation:
Gerald Barzan once said, “Taxation with representation ain’t so hot either.”
3. Action-packed narration:
Sprinting to the mailbox after an evening run, I hoped to receive my refund from
the I.R.S. Instead of a refund, I found a bill for $190 because I had not declared some
tuition assistance I had received several years ago.
“Well, how do you like that?” I said with disgust. “You serve your country, and
promised tuition assistance is considered taxable income.”