Expository Writing
Expository vs Argument Writing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRpPHylKF
CQ
Expository Writing
The “How and Why” of Writing
What is Expository Writing?
• Expository writing is defined as presenting
reasons, explanations, or steps in a process
• Informational writing
• An expository essay should follow a logical
sequence and have three different main
points
• Logic and coherence is the main focus of an
expository essay
How is it different ?
• Expository writing does not tell a story
• Expository writing does not persuade a reader
but only gives facts and reasons
• Expository writing can also give the steps of a
process
Expository Writing
• Introduction of an expository should include
the main idea and what the essay is about
• The three main reasons supporting this main
idea should also be included in the
introduction
• Pay attention to the author’s structure of
article you read. If the author is writing in
sequence, so should you. If the author is
describing something, so should you.
Introductory Paragraph for Expository
Writing
• As with any essay, you must HOOK the reader. Pull apart the
prompt to understand exactly what you are being asked to do.
• Next, include background information. Connect what the
author has said and elaborate or explain it in a way that that
you are helping someone who has no knowledge about the
subject.
• Complete your introductory paragraph with your thesis
statement (Topic + 3details).
• **Tip while reading text – pay attention to the subtitles, they
will give you ideas that could be your 3 details.
Introductory Paragraph
• The introductory paragraph has 3 main parts:
Hook – grabs reader attention
Background – information that helps the reader
understand what you are writing about
Thesis statement – What the author is saying in
your own words with 3 details or examples
Expository writing contd.
• Paragraph two should introduce the first reason and
give details to support the first reason
• Paragraph three should introduce the second reason
and give details to support the second reason
• Paragraph four should introduce the third reason and
give details to support the third reason
• The conclusion should re-state all the reasons
Outline for Expository
I. Introduction:
A. Hook: The central idea for Monk’s The Words We Live By is …_________
B. Background information______________________________________
C. Background information on topic_______________________________
D. Background information on topic_______________________________
E. THESIS STATEMENT: Ex: The author wants the reader to know…._______
II. First Reason__________________________________________________
A. Fact/ or example_________________________________________
B. Detail__________________________________________________
C. Explanation in your words (Example: This means…)
D. Sum- up statement_______________________________________
III. Second Reason_______________________________________________
A. Fact/or example_________________________________________
B. Detail__________________________________________________
C. Explanation in your own words (Example: The author makes the point…)
D. Sum- up statement_______________________________________
IV. Third Reason_________________________________________________
A. Fact/example___________________________________________
B. Detail__________________________________________________
C. Explanation in your own words (Example: One can infer….)
D. Sum- up statement
V. Conclusion:
Re- state all reasons in conclusion
Clincher sentence- gives a summation of the above and a “feeling” about the whole essay.
Use transition words, plan reasons in a logical order, make sure you re-state reasons in your conclusion.
Definition of Terms
• Thesis Statement: The main idea of the whole essay
• Transition words: Words such as first, second, as a
result, which make transitions easy in the essay.
• Main Ideas: Each paragraph should have a main point
or idea
• Supporting Details: Details support the main ideas
Re-Cap:
Expository writing needs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
One topic
Reasons supporting that topic
Details supporting the reasons
A conclusion re-stating the reasons
Transition words
Clear, concise, logical and informative
language
Topic: How I Would Change the World
Read the paragraph then think of 3 ways in which you could help
change the world.
Changing the world starts from ourselves. This is one way to change the world for the
better. Do not ever think of change as instant because it would make us lazy; there
is a process. For example, when you are urged to cheat on a test because you feel
like you can not do it, resist the urge. Make a commitment to yourself to study
more so that you will be prepared. Another way to change the world is to treat
others like you want to be treated. You will feel better about yourself and your
kindness may rub off on others around you. Last but not least, become a smart,
creative, and diligent person that has something to offer to your fellow citizens.
Do not hold back on your unique abilities that will inspire others to seek their
highest potential. These things will help all of humanity and ultimately help us to
change the world for the better. - Martin
Topic Ideas:
Topic: No more drugs Details: addictive, hurts families, expensive
Cure Aids
Details: epidemic, people are dying, world is unsafe
Cure Cancer
Details: families are split apart, people die, it is a disease which affects all of us
Equality among people/race/religion
Details: examples of race, religion etc.
Stop pollution
Details: water purity, ozone layer, fish die, people have respiratory diseases
Animal Abuse
Details: animal testing, cruelty to animals, elephant poaching
Child Abuse
Details: neglect, physical abuse, verbal abuse
Family Values
Details: immorality, adultery, faithfulness
Education
Details: school grades, make school fun, scores, learn to read and write
Crime
Details: gang warfare, drive by shooting, mafia, robberies
World Hunger
Details: India- starving people, Africa, homeless and starving in America
Government Dictators
Details: Hitler, Hussein, Mussolini
Details
•
•
•
•
Can be descriptive
Can be factual
Can be from personal experience
Can be anecdotes – or how to solve
something
Paragraph One
• Thesis statement
• Background information on your three topics
• I admire friends with great qualities. Three
qualities I admire are: loyalty, honesty, a good
sense of humor.
Paragraph 2
•
•
•
•
•
•
Put main idea for paragraph 2 on the outline
Add your details
Personal experiences
Descriptive details-describe experience
Facts about the topicShort anecdotes
Paragraph 3
•
•
•
•
•
Put your main idea on the outline
Add your details
Personal experiences
Description of how the topic works itself out
Examples of the topic
Paragraph 4
• Add your main idea onto your outline
• Add your details
• Personal examples of how the idea has been
experienced by you in your life
• Describe how the idea “ looks” or what the
person does
• Facts
Conclusion
• Re-state all of your ideas in your conclusion.
In other words, summarize your own words
from your introductory paragraph.
What are the qualities of a good
friend?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loyal
Trusting
Listen
Respectful
Fun
Helpful
Patient
Keep Secrets
Honesty
Sense of Humor
Smart
Funny
Athletic
Doesn’t suck up to you/ (real, authentic person)
Common interests
Transition words
•
•
•
•
•
Add your transition words
First
Second
Third
Finally, or In Conclusion
Introduction
• Now let’s write the introduction together, now
that we know what we are writing about.
• 1. Hook- Hook your reader with a question,
quote, short anecdote, or personal experience
statement
Introduction –contd.
• Write one “background” or informational
sentence about each idea you are going to
write about• Idea 1
• Idea 2
• Idea 3
Thesis Statement
• The thesis statement can be first in the
paragraph, last in the paragraph or implied
throughout the paragraph
• Example: I would like to change the world by
improving the poverty situation in our world,
alleviating crime, and helping the homeless.
Editing your essay
• Check that you have all the elements of an
expository essay:
• Reasons
• Details
• Transition words
• Conclusion that re-states your topic
• Grammar
• Coherence, logic and clearly written
Expository Essay:
There are three different types of expository essays:
1) Essay that is developed with examples and/or facts and statistics
2) Essay that is developed with steps in a process
3) Essay that is in a compare and contrast format
Example:
Paragraph 1: Introductory Paragraph
A. Thesis sentence____________________________
B. Background info____________________________
C. Statistics- if relevant__________________________
Paragraph 2: Reason#1 or Process #1 Use a transition word
A. Example/detail #1______________________________
B. Example/detail #2______________________________
C. Example/detail#3_______________________________
Paragraph 3: Reason #2or Process #2 Use a transition word
A. Example/detail #1______________________________
B. Example/detail#2_______________________________
C. Example/detail #3______________________________
Paragraph 4: Reason #3 or Process #3 Use a transition word
A. Example/detail #1_______________________________
B. Example/detail #2_______________________________
C. Example/detail#3________________________________
Paragraph 5:Conclusion:
Take a reason from each paragraph and RE-STATE it in the conclusion. Add a clincher sentence.
Evaluation:
Do you have a clear logical topic?
Have you introduced your topic in the first paragraph?
Do you have one reason per paragraph?
Do you have three details to support each reason?
Have you used transition words at the beginning of each paragraph?