HOW TO DEVELOP IDEAS AND WRITE AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY
Expository Writing is educated, thought provoking writing in response to:
•
Quotes-famous quotations by historians, authors, politicians…
•
Adages-short, memorable sayings with meaning attached.
•
Universally Accessible Topic-Food for thought that is not attached to curriculum or studies, but rather
an idea from the experience.
SAMPLE EXPOSITORY WRITING TASK
“A person does not simply “receive” his or her identity. Identity is much more than the name or features
one is born with. True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that
are significant and that require a courageous commitment in the face of challenges. Identity means
having ideas and values that one lives by.”—Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action.
Using examples from literature, history, science, film, or your own experiences, write an essay in which
you develop your point of view as to whether identity is something people are born with or given, or is
identity something people create for themselves.
STEP 1: READING CAREFULLY
Before you write a single word, you must make sure that you will specifically address only the topic you have
been asked to address. Here’s how:
•
First, read the prompt carefully.
•
Then, read the prompt again to clarify your writing task.
•
Finally, identify key words and ideas in the prompt as you read it a third time.
My Writing task:
Decide whether one’s identity is something people are born with or whether people
create their own identifies throughout their lives.
Key words:
Identity: People born with or given; something people create for themselves.
1
STEP 2: NARROW YOUR FOCUS (PREWRITING)
You need to narrow your focus by thinking of two or more examples/supporting details from literature, history,
science, film, or your own experiences to support your point of view on the topic.
Your Point of View: Identity is something people create for themselves.
Examples:
Literature: Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island
Literature: Kevin Kesey’s novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
STEP 3: CHOOSE A THESIS STATEMENT
•
A thesis statement not only lets a reader know your viewpoint; it also helps you to focus on that
viewpoint as you write.
•
Your thesis statement, which should emerge from your prewriting, should present your position as if it
were a fact.
•
So, write it clearly and firmly.
•
Make every effort to make plain for readers what your essay will deliver.
Thesis Statement:
Identity is an earned characteristic of a human being, whether the identity, and the
actions which merit that identity, are good or bad.
STEP 4: THE INTRODUCTION: OPENING STRONG
•
A strong opening to an essay will capture a reader’s attention.
•
In contrast, a dull or confusing opening can put off a reader by creating a negative first impression.
•
A strong introduction should…
1. Begin with a grabbing lead which “hooks the reader”.
2. State/integrate the quote, adage, or topic.
3. Include background information to introduce the question.
4. End with a thesis statement expressing the main idea of the essay.
Introduction: The identity of a person is defined by what he or she creates for himself or herself. “Creating a
name” for oneself comes from the actions and decisions that one person makes. It is entirely up to that one
person to work towards creating a positive identity. Even with a distinguished background, a powerful
ancestor, or a number of other factors, one must use these factors to one’s own advantage solely in creating an
identity of one’s own. Identity is an earned characteristic of a human being, whether the identity and the
actions which merit that identity are good or bad.
2
STEP 5: ELABORATE IN THE BODY
Consider using the following elaborating strategies:
Example(s) from literature, history, science, or film:
•
You can actually study for this part, because themes are UNIVERSAL.
•
Think about some major novels that you have read thus far and/or some historical figures. Figure out
what they stand for, what themes they exemplify, and be ready to work that into whatever prompt
presents itself.
Example(s) from your own experience or observation:
•
You will write this as an explanation, not a narration
•
Do not be tempted to relive the story; speak with an academic voice.
Each paragraph in the body of your essay should:
•
Begin with a topic sentence.
•
Focus on only one idea (one idea/paragraph)
•
Include an example from literature, history, science, film, or your own experience or observation to
explain the quote.
•
Relate to the thesis statement.
•
Be written as an explanation, not narration, and speak with an academic voice.
Example of a Body Paragraph: Finding one’s true identity within themselves is a huge responsibility, and a
challenging task. In Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the young protagonist, Jim Hawkins, desires
an escape from the fruitless and banal existence he leads working in a tavern. When he sets sail on a quest for
lost treasure with a newly acquired map, he must undergo a series of challenges including skirmishes with
pirates
and the making of decisions which will change the fate of the crew. Jim thwarts the evil pirates’ attempts and
saves his shipmates, proving his worth and creating his own identity as a hero. He works against adversity to
gain his true identity.
STEP 6: THE CONCLUSION—FINISH MEMORABLY
Some ways to end your essay memorably:
•
Generate final remarks without introducing brand new examples.
•
Unify and summarize your ideas.
•
Remind the audience of your main point/thesis.
•
Use a satisfactory closing sentence/clincher (could tie back into introduction)
3
Example of a Concluding Paragraph: All human beings have the power to create names for themselves. To
delve into the identity of a person is to witness the character of a person, as well as the actions that person has
performed. As seen in literature as well as in history, a person has the power to gain his own identity by
working against adversity or by challenging society’s bonds and labels to gain a knowledge of oneself. In the
end, we can see the identities of people in the good or bad they do.
STEP 7: PROOFREADING AND REVISION
•
Be sure that all sentences are complete. Avoid sentence fragments (lack subjects, verbs, or both).
•
Fix run-on sentences (two or more sentences that are masquerading as a single sentence because of
incorrect punctuation).
•
Vary sentence types (i.e. declarative, imperative, exclamatory, and interrogative)
•
Vary sentence structures and lengths (i.e. simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentence,
and compound-complex sentence).
•
Vary sentence beginnings (i.e. start with an adverb, prepositional phrase, participial phrase, subordinate
clause, or predicate).
•
Avoid clichés and slang (i.e. clichés are expressions or idioms that have become trite from overuse;
slang, which is composed of newly made-up terms, or new meanings attached to existing terms).
•
Avoid wordy and empty sentences (i.e. when you write, aim for brevity. Avoid wordy sentences.
Choose your words carefully and economically).
•
Avoid choppy sentences (i.e. eliminate a series of short, choppy sentences by combining sentences
using coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and relative pronouns).
•
Use the active voice (i.e. the subject performs the action named by the verb).
•
Use commas, semicolons, and colons (i.e. commas signal pauses; semicolons signal a longer pause
than a comma, but a shorter pause than a period; colons serve as a signal to pay close attention to what
follows. Use one before an extended quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series).
4
“IDENTITY” (MODEL ESSAY)
The identity of a person is defined by what he or she creates for himself or herself. “Creating a name”
for oneself comes from the actions and decisions that one person makes. It is entirely up to that one person to
work towards creating a positive identity. Even with a distinguished background, a powerful ancestor, or a
number of other factors, one must use these factors to one’s own advantage solely in creating an identity of
one’s own. Identity is an earned characteristic of a human being, whether the identity and the actions
which merit that identity are good or bad.
Finding one’s true identity within themselves is a huge responsibility, and a challenging task. In Robert
Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, the young protagonist, Jim Hawkins, desires an escape from the fruitless
and banal existence he leads working in a tavern. When he sets sail on a quest for lost treasure with a newly
acquired map, he must undergo a series of challenges including skirmishes with pirates and the making of
decisions which will change the fate of the crew. Jim thwarts the evil pirates’ attempts and saves his shipmates,
proving his worth and creating his own identity as a hero. He works against adversity to gain his true identity.
Society also attempts to shape our identity. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, many
of the patients on the mental ward are victims of society’s labels. They could leave at any time, but society’s
impression into their identities keeps them from the knowledge of their true selves. It requires the courage of
Randle McMurphy to reveal to the patients their true identities uninhibited by society’s constraints. With his
help and sacrifice, the patients strip the bonds of society to pursue their knowledge of themselves.
Throughout history, people have made names for themselves, for discoveries in science or technology to
events that changed the world. Good events, such as the discovery of the New World or the invention of the
light bulb, have been recorded in history wlong with the people who made them famous. Bad things, as well,
such as the Holocaust, have brought infamy to people such as Adolph Hitler and his followers.
All human beings have the power to create names for themselves. To delve into the identity of a person
is to witness the character of a person, as well as the actions that person has performed. As seen in literature as
well as in history, a person has the power to gain his own identity by working against adversity or by
challenging society’s bonds and labels to gain knowledge of oneself. In the end, we can see the identities of
people in the good or bad they do.
5
Demonstrating outstanding critical thinking, this essay effectively and insightfully develops a point of
view (Identity is an earned characteristic of a human being, whether the identity, and the actions which
merit that identity, are good or bad) and uses clearly appropriate reasons and examples from literature
and history as support. Well organized and clearly focused on the idea that humans “have the power to
create names for themselves,” the response displays clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas
(When he sets sail on a quest for lost treasure with a newly acquired map, he must undergo a series of
challenges....Jim thwarts the evil pirates’ attempts....He works against adversity to gain his true identity.)
The essay exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary (It requires the
courage of Randle McMurphy to reveal to the patients their true identities uninhibited by society’s
constraints), and displays meaningful variety in sentence structure. This essay demonstrates clear and
consistent mastery and merits a score of 6.
6
Explanatory Writing Prompt
Revising & Proofreading
Checklist
INTRODUCTION
Did I remember to …
□
□
□
□
begin with a grabbing lead which “hooks” the reader?
state/integrate the quote, adage, or topic?
include background information to introduce the question?
end the paragraph with a thesis statement expressing the main idea of my essay?
BODY
Did I remember to …
□
□
□
□
□
begin each paragraph with a topic sentence?
focus each body paragraph on one idea (one idea, one paragraph)?
include an example(s) from literature, history, science, film, or your own experience or
observation to explain/support the quote?
make sure each body paragraph relates to the thesis statement?
make sure each body paragraph is written as an explanation, not narration and speaks
with an academic voice.
CONCLUSION
Did I remember to …
□
□
□
□
generate final remarks without introducing brand new examples?
remind the audience of the main idea/thesis of my essay?
unify and summarize/restate some of the key points I made about this main idea?
use a satisfactory close / clincher (could tie back into intro)?
7
New Jersey Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric - HSPA
In Scoring,
consider the
grid of
written
language
Score
Content &
Organization
.
Inadequate
Command
1
• May lack
opening
and/or closing
• Minimal
response to
topic;
uncertain
focus
Limited
Command
2
• May lack
opening
and/or closing
• Attempts to
focus
• May drift or
shift focus
Partial
Command
3
• May lack
opening
and/or closing
• Usually has
single focus
Adequate
Command
4
• Generally
has opening
and/or closing
• Single focus
.
• No planning
evident;
disorganized
• Attempts
organization
• Few, if any,
transitions
between ideas
• Some lapses
or flaws in
organization
• May lack
some
transitions
between ideas
• Ideas
loosely
connected
• Transition
evident
.
• Details
random,
inappropriate,
or barely
apparent
• Details lack
elaboration,
i.e., highlight
paper
• Repetitious
details
• Several
unelaborated
details
• Uneven
development
of details
Usage
• No apparent
control
• Severe/
numerous
errors
• Assortment
of incomplete
and/or
incorrect
sentences
• Numerous
errors
• Errors/
patterns of
errors may be
evident
• Some errors
that do not
interfere with
meaning
• Few errors
• Excessive
monotony/
same
structure
• Numerous
errors
• Numerous
serious errors
• Little
variety in
syntax
• Some errors
• Some errors
that do not
interfere with
meaning
• Few errors
• Very few, if
any, errors
• Patterns of
errors evident
• No
consistent
pattern of
errors
• Some errors
that do not
interfere with
meaning
• Few errors
• Very few, if
any, errors
Sentence
Construction
Mechanics
• Errors so
severe they
detract from
meaning
8
Strong
Command
5
• Opening
and closing
Superior
Command
6
• Opening
and closing
• Single focus
• Sense of
unity and
coherence
• Key ideas
developed
• Logical
progression
of ideas
• Moderately
fluent
• Attempts
compositional
risks
• Details
appropriate
and varied
• Single,
distinct focus
• Unified and
coherent
• Welldeveloped
• Logical
progession of
ideas
• Fluent,
cohesive
• Compositional risks
successful
• Details
effective,
vivid,
explicit,
and/or
pertinent
• Very few, if
any, errors
Expository Essay Prewriting Worksheet
Step 1: Read carefully to clarify your task and to analyze the key words in the prompt.
My Writing Task: _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________Key Words in the
Prompt: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Step 2: Narrow your focus.
My Point of View: ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Examples/Supporting details:______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Step 3: Choose a Thesis Statement.
Thesis Statement: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Things to Consider When Writing the Expository Essay
1. 30 Minute Time Table Breakdown:
Prewriting (Including the Expository Essay Prewriting Worksheet)
10 minutes
Writing Time (Actual time to draft the story)
15 minutes
Editing Time (Find and correct grammar and mechanical errors)
5 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
2. Your essay should be a minimum of 4 paragraphs long. Paragraph breakdown:
Paragraph One:
Introduction
Paragraph 2, 3 or 4
Supporting idea paragraphs
Final Paragraph
Conclusion
3. The introduction should consist of 4 to 6 sentences.
Body paragraphs should consist of 5 to 8 sentences.
The conclusion should have 2 to 4 sentences.
9
4. Supporting ideas:

You can use facts/examples from literature, history, science, film, or examples from your own
experiences or observation.

You can actually study for this part, because themes are UNIVERSAL. Think about some major novels
that you have read thus far and/or some historical figures. Figure out what they stand for, what themes
they exemplify, and be ready to work that into whatever prompt presents itself.

Remember, you will be writing explanation, not narration. If you use a personal experience or
observation, do not be tempted to relive the story; speak about what you write in an academic voice.

Complete the “Examples Charts” prior to taking the HSPA.
10
Writing Task 1
Prewriting Checklist
My Writing Task: _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Key Words in the Prompt: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
My Point of View: ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Examples/Supporting details:______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Expository Writing-Task 1
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
11
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________
12
HISTORY
(FILL IN THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR TWO HISTORY EXAMPLES.)
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
13
CURRENT EVENTS
(FILL IN RECENT EVENTS IN THE NEWS.)
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
14
LITERATURE
(MARK TWAIN IS IN, DANIELLE STEELE AND STEPHEN KING ARE OUT. STICK
TO THE CLASSICS.)
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
15
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
(CHOOSE EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON YOU.)
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
16
SCIENCE
(FILL IN THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR TWO SCIENCE EXAMPLES.)
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
17
FILM
(CHOOSE TWO FILMS/MOVIES THAT HAVE HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON
YOU.)
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
EVENT:________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
DESCRIPTION:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
MAJOR PLAYERS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
BIG IDEAS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
18
PRACTICE HSPA EXPOSITORY ESSAY WRITING PROMPTS:
SAMPLE TASK #1:
"Nothing requires more discipline than Freedom"
Assignment: Using examples from literature, history, science, film, or your own experiences, write an essay in which you
develop your point of view on this statement.
SAMPLE TASK #2:
The principle is this: each failure leads us closer to deeper knowledge, to greater creativity in understanding old data, to new
lines of inquiry. Thomas Edison experienced 10,000 failures before he succeeded in perfecting the lightbulb. When a friend
of his remarked that 10,000 failures was a lot, Edison replied, "I didn't fail 10,000 times, I successfully eliminated 10,000
materials and combinations that didn't work."
Myles Brand, "Taking the Measure of Your Success"
Assignment: What is your view on the idea that it takes failure to achieve success? Using examples from literature, history,
science, film, or your own experiences, write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this statement.
SAMPLE TASK #3:
Many persons believe that to move up the ladder of success and achievement, they must forget the past, repress it, and
relinquish it. But others have just the opposite view. They see old memories as a chance to reckon with the past and
integrate past and present.
Adapted from Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, I've Known Rivers: Lives of Loss and Liberation
Do memories hinder or help people in their effort to learn from the past and succeed in the present? Using examples from
literature, history, science, film, or your own experiences, write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this
statement.
19