Expository Writing
Today’s Agenda:
1. Introduction to Expository Writing
Mini-lesson with Guided Notes
2. Newspaper Scavenger Hunt—Identify the
Expository Structure
3. Exit Ticket Check for Understanding
Expository Writing Unit
What is Expository Writing?
• Expository writing is nonfiction writing about a
topic.
• Often called Informative/Explanatory Writing
• Expository writing gives facts and information,
explains how to do something, or tells readers
about real people and events.
Expository Writing Unit
You can find expository writing in many different
places.
• Textbooks
• Newspapers
• Encyclopedias
• Magazines
• Websites
Expository Writing Unit
Expository Writing Traits
• A clear, focused topic
• Relevant facts and concrete details that support and
develop the topic
• A strong introduction, body, and conclusion
• Paragraphs that have a topic sentence and supporting
details
• Appropriate and varied transitions that connect ideas
and show relationships
Expository Writing Unit
Expository Writing Traits
• Appropriate voice for the purpose and audience
• An informative, respectful, and consistent tone
• Exact, concise language
• Domain-specific vocabulary that is used correctly and
explained as necessary
• Clear sentences with structure that supports the purpose
• Sentences that flow together smoothly
• No or few errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
Expository Writing Unit
How Expository writing is organized depends on its
purpose. Here are some common structures:
• Cause-and-Effect describes a cause and the result, or
effect, of that cause.
• Compare-and-Contrast describes the similarities and
differences between things.
• Explanatory gives the meaning of a topic.
• How-To tells readers how something happens or explains
a step-by-step process.
• Problem-and-Solution describes a problem and offers
one or more solutions.
• Research Report organizes information about a topic.
• Summary describes the main points of a piece of writing.
Expository Writing Unit
Strong expository writing includes the following
features:
• Topic
• Definitions
• Facts
• Transitions
Let’s look at how we can
use these features in
strong expository
writing.
• Precise language
• Domain-specific vocabulary
• Conclusion
Expository Writing Unit
Topic
A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by
undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides.
As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea
disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However,
tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash
against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.
In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand
how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s
crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion
can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is
caused when two plates push and pull against each other and
suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.
Expository Writing Unit
Definitions
A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by
undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides.
As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea
disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However,
tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash
against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.
In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand
how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s
crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion
can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is
caused when two plates push and pull against each other and
suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.
Expository Writing Unit
Facts
A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by
undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides.
As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea
disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However,
tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash
against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.
In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand
how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s
crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion
can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is
caused when two plates push and pull against each other and
suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.
Expository Writing Unit
Transitions
A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by
undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides.
As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea
disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However,
tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash
against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.
In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand
how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s
crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion
can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is
caused when two plates push and pull against each other and
suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.
Informative/Explanatory Writing
Precise Language
A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by
undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides.
As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea
disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However,
tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash
against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.
In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand
how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s
crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion
can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is
caused when two plates push and pull against each other and
suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.
Informative/Explanatory Writing
Domain-Specific Vocabulary
A tsunami is a series of giant waves. Tsunamis are created by
undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or giant landslides.
As the waves travel away from the point of the undersea
disturbance, they grow taller and gain higher speeds. However,
tsunami waves do not look like normal waves that curl and crash
against the beach. Instead, they look like a moving wall of water.
In order to understand tsunamis, it is important to understand
how Earth is formed. Tectonic plates, or giant pieces of Earth’s
crust, sometimes push against each other. At times this motion
can be subtle; other times it can be violent. An earthquake is
caused when two plates push and pull against each other and
suddenly release a tremendous amount of energy.
Informative/Explanatory Writing
Conclusion
It is impossible to stop a tsunami. However, early warning
systems and accurate weather forecasting equipment can warn
people of the danger. Special buoys floating in the ocean record
waves and send information to scientists on land. These
scientists can then warn people to get away from the shore and
head to higher ground. Sometimes an early warning can save
thousands of lives from the deadly force of a tsunami.
Expository Writing Unit
Some common types of expository writing
include the following:
• Research Report
• Cause-Effect Report
• Problem-Solution Essay
• Response to Literature
• How-To Essay
• Compare-and-Contrast Essay
Identify the Expository Structure
Directions :
Using the Newspaper provided, you and your
partners must search and identify the different
structures of Expository Writing.
Utilize your guided notes for assistance, and fill
in your answers on the worksheet.
Exit Ticket
1. What is Expository Writing?
2. List at least 3 out of the 7 features included
in Expository Writing
3. List at least 3 structures of an Expository
Writing piece