Journal Write
• What is the purpose of an
Expository essay? (Think about how it is
different than a persuasive essay…)
Expository Essay
Elaboration Strategies
Introductions, Body Paragraphs, and
Conclusions
Expository Intros
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Quotations
Scenarios/Anecdotes
Inquiry/Questions
Preparatory Information/Overview
Question
(we’ve seen this one)
Student C ~ example
Why do people consider some experiences as
significant? Is it the lessons learned or the
adventures that were involved? For myself, picking
up a book and reading has been the most important
thing that I’ve ever done. Reading is so beneficial
because my intelligence continues to grow, the
creative juices inside of me flourish, and even my
writing has become more sophisticated.
Expository Body Paragraphs
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Anecdotes
Examples
Definitions
Facts & Stats
Quotes & Dialogue
Descriptive Details
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: ANECDOTE- an
anecdote is a small piece of a story inserted
into an essay that helps make the point. This
sounds like. . .
Once when I was in middle school,
the kids would
always. . .
Lesson 1
Hey, I remember the time when I had
to carry my . . .
Develop your point with an anecdote.
Student sample
You can’t give up, Jack. I
remember one time when I
played on the high school
baseball team. We were losing,
and it was the 8th inning.
Everyone was getting
discouraged, and then the coach
said, “BOYS! You’ve got to RALLY
here! Turn your ball caps
around and GET OUT THERE!”
So, son, turn your ball cap – I
mean ATTITUDE -- around and
get out there!
Lesson 1
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: EXAMPLES - provide
more specific information about something.
This sounds like. . .
The cats were all acting
like they were crazy. For
example, one jumped at
me with all …
Lesson 1
We had an barrage of
different weather last
week: hail, rain, snow,
and sunshine.
My brothers always seem
to pick on me. For
instance, they may hide
my soccer shoes, not
answer the phone.
Develop your point with an example.
Student Sample
The game of golf can be played for an
entire lifetime and also by yourself.
People of any age can go out and play a
round of golf whenever they want as
opposed to team sports. For example,
football, soccer, and volleyball take an
entire team of people to play. How many
times are you going to call up ten or
more of your friends and go play sports?
Lesson 1
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: DEFINITION - a way to
restate an unfamiliar word or tell what it
means…don’t assume your reader knows!
The best part of our hot lunch program is the Ala
Carte. What I mean by Ala Carte is the little deli line
past the lunch line where you can buy cookies,
slushies, and candy bars.
Lesson 1
Develop your point with a definition.
Student sample
One of the best programs that our
school has is something called
Brainworks. Brainworks is an afterschool program where kids go and
do their homework. They even let
you work on the computers there. I
like it a lot because the lady who
runs the program keeps everyone
pretty quiet. At my house, I have 6
little brothers and sisters and there is
never a quiet place to work.
Lesson 1
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: STATISTICS and FACTS
- the numbers or data that help support your
idea.
Mom, did you know
that 98% of all my
friends get to stay up
until 1:00 AM on
weekends?
Lesson 1
Well Son, did you know
that 3 out of 4 parents
would have grounded
you for staying out so
late?
Develop your point with facts and
statistics.
Student Sample
Another craze to sweep
America was the low-carb diet. It
was reported in the newspaper
after the last holiday season that
67% of all Americans were lowcarb dieting. Let me tell you the
personal impact that has had on
my family’s wheat farm here in
Washington.
Lesson 1
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: QUOTATION (and
DIALOGUE) -Using the words someone says or
a conversation can help support your
argument.
The veterinarian from
the animal shelter, Dr.
Stein, agreed when
she said,
Lesson 1
“Spaying and neutering dogs
and cats is the single best gift
a pet owner can give.”
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: DESCRIPTION - a way
to create vivid images for the reader…PAINT A
PICTURE for them…
The sound of my phone cut through the silent class and
I anxiously dug into my backpack to grab it before Mrs.
Schuman, the writing teacher, noticed. Pawing through
Chapstick and lipstick, gum wrappers and rubber hair wraps,
my hand darted around the deep pockets of my backpack.
“Must shut off ringer,” I thought.
Lesson 1
Expository Conclusions
• Echo from Introduction
• Quotation
• Make a Generalization
First Draft
Student A - first draft
The first one I really enjoy is the chocolate chip
cookie. I especially like them when they’re warm
and soft. I like the way the chocolate just melts in
your mouth. I also love the flavor of a warm
chocolate chip cookie right when you bite into it.
It’s like being in heaven.
+ Generalization
Student B ~ revision
A juicy chip, soft, creamy butter, a crunchy nut
combine to make a delicious cookie. The soft, brown
cookie melts in my mouth, then a chip melts in my
mouth and it’s like being in heaven. I know it, my
brother knows it – biting into one of mom’s freshly
baked chocolate chip cookies is like your own
paradise even on a cold day.