Writing an Expository Essay
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines
an expository essay as…
ex·po·si·tion (noun)
a discourse or an example designed
to convey information or explain
what is difficult to understand
Introduction to Expository Writing
In order to classify as expository, an essay needs:
 to explain/discuss a particular subject matter
 a thesis statement at the end of the introduction that answers the prompt
 strong evidence that backs up the thesis statement (in the body
paragraphs)
 a conclusion that makes a final thought for the audience
Literary vs. Expository Writing
Literary
Expository
o Tells a story
o Explains/discusses a topic
o Includes a setting and
o Includes a thesis statement
character
o Contains a conflict
o Contains evidence
o Includes dialogue
o Includes commentary (reasoning)
o Provides a resolution
o Provides a conclusion
o Prompt will include a photo o Prompt will be completely textual
o Creative
o Informative
Just tell me what I need to do to pass!
Well alright then!
You’ll need:




A short introduction paragraph
A clear, strong thesis (answer to the prompt)
Body paragraphs explain a clear real-life example
A conclusion paragraph that restates your thesis using
different wording
 Don’t fill up your page with nonsense, but do try to fill
up the page with well thought-out, concise wording.
No wasted words!
*The expository prompt page on the
STAAR test typically has a lot of text.
Think of expository in this way:
it is logical and informative.
(You’ll see on the next slide)
STAAR English I Writing
Sample Prompt for Expository Writing
2011 Release
Read the information in the box below.
In 1955 medical researcher Jonas Salk introduced an
effective polio vaccine. At the time polio was
considered the biggest threat to public health, yet Salk
refused to profit by patenting the vaccine because he
was more concerned with preventing disease than with
personal gain.
Although many people work to benefit themselves, some people choose to put others first.
Think carefully about this statement.
Write an essay explaining whether people should be more concerned about others than about
themselves.
Be sure to —
• clearly state your thesis
• organize and develop your ideas effectively
• choose your words carefully
• edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Sample Prompt for Expository Writing
In 1955 medical researcher Jonas Salk introduced an effective
polio vaccine. At the time polio was considered the biggest
threat to public health, yet Salk refused to profit by patenting
the vaccine because he was more concerned with preventing
disease than with personal gain.
Although many people work to benefit themselves, some people choose to
put others first. Think carefully about this statement.
Write an essay explaining why people should be more concerned
about others than about themselves.
Steps to Complete Before Writing the Expository Essay
Write an essay explaining why people should
be more concerned about others than about
themselves.
1.) Construct a thesis statement that directly answers the prompt in
a single sentence(last sentence of your introduction).
2.) Create a “hook,” which is the opening sentence you will use to
begin your entire essay.
3.) Brainstorm examples that you could use in the body paragraph
(you will see how to do this soon).
Student
Introduction
Examples
Although it is important to help others when
possible, it is also essential to put oneself first in
life. After all, we all have one life, and each
person’s main concern is his own choices in life.
Strong or Weak
WEAK
There is no clear thesis statement. This will
lead to a weaker paper.
Helping another person with a difficult task is a
great thing to do. However, most of us are too
busy with our lives to take time for others. Even
though it is easier to mind our own business, it is
honorable and caring when a person goes out of
his way to help another person.
Strong
or Weak
STRONG
Interesting introduction with a
clear thesis statement- we know
what to expect from this essay!
Sometimes helping others matters more than
one’s personal gain. Although people work to
benefit themselves, they should always put others
first. People should be more concerned about
helping others than themselves because it is the
right thing to do.
Strong or Weak
STRONG
Good clear thesis statement; there is a
good transition sentence to lead into thesis
statement.
Why should people put others before
themselves? Why should they, who don’t have
everything they want but don’t necessarily need
in their life, stop for someone less fortunate?
Strong or Weak
WEAK
All rhetorical questions; no hook sentence;
no thesis statement – VERY weak
Brainstorming before Writing
Writing an Effective Body Paragraph
 Give a specific example that helps explain your thesis in
each body paragraph.
 Do not make your whole paper sound like an
introduction paragraph.
 Begin your body paragraphs with a topic sentence.
 Body paragraphs develop one clear, specific reason or
example for believing your thesis statement to be true.
Convince your reader to see things as you see them.
Body Paragraph Example
During September 11th, when the terrorists
attacked the World Trade buildings, Americans
of all races and ages helped each other escape
the crumbling buildings. The fireman and police
worked overtime and put themselves in danger
from the dust and piles of building scraps to
help pull the injured out from under the rubble.
These men and women gave everyone hope in
their heroic, selfless acts. Their actions reveal
that it is admirable to put others first.
Another Sample Body Paragraph
It is important to care about others because
then other people will like you. Everyone wants
to have friends. Caring is part of friendship.
This student received a bad score
because the body paragraph is too
vague. What does that mean?
Yet Another Sample Body Paragraph
A nurse will spend most of her or his day caring
for hurting people. Nurses are one example of
people who put others first.
• Too vague! Develop the idea! Your paragraph
must develop the idea of the nurse helping
the sick. This is an okay start, but it’s certainly
not a paragraph.
Please don’t do this to me. . .
The Last Example of a Body Paragraph
The Red Cross is an organization that helps
people in need. For example, they respond to
hurricane or tornado victims with places of
shelter, blankets, clothing, and food. The Red
Cross people are volunteers that make life
bearable in times of emergencies. It is
important to help people in tough times; one
never knows when he or she will need
assistance.
This should be the look on my face when I read your expository essay…
Brainstorming before Writing
News/History
World Events
Books/Movies
School/Community
Discussion of the
STAAR Expository Rubric
__________________________
Look at the rubric in your packet!
Time for
YOU
to be the
STAAR
GRADER!
Thinking about others before you is a nice thing to
think of, but if you think of yourself first it makes you feel
isolated. Caring about others before you isn’t a bad thing,
but thinking about yourself isn’t bad either. To me I think
of others before me. Some people have the good life,
others don’t. I’ll rather put myself in danger than others
being in danger as well. I’m only one person but risking
myself could save more than one life. When your in a
room where there seems to be a fire some people will
think of themselves while others think of the rest. The
doctor could risk himself of getting polio but he could
save hundreds of lifes that currently have polio. To me
people that think of themselves before others are selfish
and maybe greedy, but others that think of others are kind
people.
What would you rate this essay?
1 2 3 4
What would you rate this essay?
Humanity has a funny way of contradicting itself sometimes. All
children are taught to share and put others’ needs before their own. Somewhere
down the line, there is the realization that the very people who preach these
things to children do not follow their own rules. It is very important in society
today to remember the bigger picture, which often includes doing things to help
others with no benefit to oneself.
People need to realize that volunteering is a worthwhile and necessary
part of life. Some people think to help others means giving money when really it
is about donating time to help others. Organizations like Houston Food Bank and
the American Red Cross are always in need of volunteers. For these
organizations to be successful, they need people to donate their time. Our
society becomes a better place when people choose to make a difference.
Soldiers know the value of helping others. They are trained to assess
difficult situations and devise the best plan to succeed. Their willingness to put
themselves in harm’s way displays their concern for others. Because of their
sacrifice, the world is a safer place.
Doing something to help others leads to emotional or moral gain. On
the other hand, doing something for monetary gain is just like money itself:
easily expendable and transient. The memories and feelings one gets from
helping others will never go away. It is worth something. Worth more than
money ever could be.
What would you rate this essay?
1 2 3 4
What would you rate this essay?
Sample Prompt for Expository Writing
Kevin Pearce suffered a violent crash that shattered his dream
of participating in the Olympics and left him with a severe brain injury,
facing long odds of a successful recovery. Pearce, who was a rising star
and considered a favorite to win a medal in snowboarding at the
Vancouver Games, remembers nothing about that December night in
2009. As he was preparing for the Olympic trials, something went awry
while he was airborne, and he slammed his head on the lip of the icy
halfpipe. He worked tirelessly at rehabilitation, ultimately regaining his
speech and vision, while trying to reclaim enough balance to one day
ride his snowboard again. That would be his personal Olympics.
“There are bigger things in life than snowboarding,” he said
during a recent interview. “What’s so cool, though, is that I’ve been
able to deal with it.” He recently got back on his snowboard and his
ride was remarkably smooth, his turns crisp. He smiled a lot and his
personality shone. It was a good day on the slopes, one of the best days
yet.
VIDEO
Sample Prompt for Expository Writing
Some individuals show remarkable strength and determination
when faced with hardships and obstacles in life.
Write an essay explaining how determination can help individuals
overcome significant odds in the pursuit of a dream.
Your TURN!
-Construct a thesis statement
(which is a direct answer to the prompt)
-Construct your “hook” that you will use
to begin your paper
-Think of your different examples that
you will use in your essay at the bottom
of page 9