EXPOSITORY WRITING
DEFINITION OF EXPOSITORY: “SERVING
TO EXPOUND, SET FORTH, OR EXPLAIN”
If this is the definition of expository, what do you think the
definition of expository writing will be?
Expository Writing: writing with a purpose to explain a topic or idea
Organizational Styles
1. Compare/Contrast
Definition: explain how 2+
more things are
alike/ different
Example: Explain the types of
changes a student may undergo from
middle school to high school.
As a writer you would have to
explain what the student was like
before (in middle school) and what
student was like after (in high school).
Organizational Styles
2. Cause/Effect
Definition:- identifies one or
more causes and the resulting
effects
Example: Explain the
importance of being
involved in your community.
As a writer you would have to explain
what are different things that would
cause you to become involved in the
community and what the effects of your
involvement would be (could be for
yourself or for the community as a whole)
Organizational Styles
3. Definition
Definition:- describes
characteristics or features
of something
Example: Explain what it
means to be a productive
citizen.
As a writer you would have to
explain what are the characteristics
that make a person an involved and
productive citizen.
“Two Ways of Seeing a River”
Page 479 in Models for Writers
“Two Ways of Seeing a River”
Text Comprehension Chart
What is the purpose of this chart?
Before you can skillfully craft your own essays, we need to look
out how professional writers structure their ideas. Why do they
put things in a certain order?
What do we want to learn from this?
What organizational style does this essay follow?
How does the organizational style impact the presentation of
the ideas?
What is the main idea of this essay?
How can I write a thesis for this essay following the main idea?
“When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer”
Walt Whitman
As we read the poem by Walt
Whitman, we will be thinking about
the following:
1. How does it follow the
same organizational style as
Mark Twain’s essays?
2. How does it connect in
theme to Mark Twain’s essay?
Important New Terms:
1.
Tone: an author’s attitude about a
topic (will be an adjective)
2.
Theme: the main lesson of a piece
Organizing your own
compare/contrast essay
Thesis Statements
A thesis statement is crucial to writing a strong essay.
Without a thesis your reader will not understand the
purpose of your writing.
A
single sentence that expresses what you
want your readers to understand; the
controlling idea of your essay and road map
for your paper
 Last sentence of your introduction
Organizing your own
compare/contrast essay
Thesis Statements
What does a thesis look like?
Main idea of paper + transition word + topics/reasons of paper.
Examples:
Prompt: Explain the types of a student may undergo from middle school to high school.
Many students undergo changes from middle school to high school
such as becoming more responsible and feeling more stress.
Prompt: Explain the importance of being involved in your community.
Being involved in the community is important because it helps
people stay connected and gives people pride in their community.
How do I prove my claims?
Evidence
Just like a lawyer wouldn’t go to court without evidence, you can’t write a
paper without something to prove that your ideas are true!
Body Paragraph Organization
Body paragraphs should follow this basic outline:
1.) Topic Sentence – shows the main idea of the paragraph
2.) Concrete Detail (evidence) – facts/data, quotes, examples
3.) Commentary (analysis) – your analysis, explanation, or
interpretation of your CD.
4.) Concluding/Transition Sentence – wraps up the main
idea of the paragraph, or leads the reader into the idea
of the next paragraph
Hmmm, look a little familiar to something we just discussed?