Expository Essay Techniques
F.E.E.D. your R.O.S.E.s!!!
“Roses are the reason,
We pass the STAAR season!”
Presentation by
Sharon Key
Where to start-• When you get your prompt, mark out the
boxed statement (it may be a quote)
• Mark out the “think about” statement
• Circle the prompt! This is the part that
actually tells you what to write about!
• Underline the key words in your prompt,
boxing words that really stand out as well.
Write an expository essay explaining the
effect of one new technology on people’s
lives.
Before we get started. . .
There are words to avoid when writing any
formal essay. We’ll call them the “never
evers”. After finishing the rough draft, go
back and look for “never evers” and edit any
sentences which contain them.
So what are the “never evers”? Glad you
asked!
Never ever use. . .
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
you or your! You don’t want to sound
“preachy”!
me, my, and I
like, so, very, many, and a lot
contractions, for example: don’t, can’t,
won’t, wouldn’t, didn’t—write out the
words instead!
Slang (“gonna”, “ain’t”, etc.)
Texting shortcuts—write out words like
“and”
Write out numbers under 100
Never evers continued. . .
• I believe. . .
• I think. . .
• This essay is going to explain. . .
• I’m going to write about. . .
• In conclusion, . . .
• This essay has explained . . .
You get the idea.
Now let’s get on with what you CAN do!
What you need in your essay
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Introductory paragraph
Body Paragraph
Body Paragraph
Conclusion
So how do you get started? Glad you asked!
Thesis Statements
• Once you have your key words from your
essay prompt underlined, start writing
your thesis statement. Use the key words to
start the sentence, then add two reasons.
Use R.O.S.E. to help you develop your
reasons.
• The more you really know about the
reasons you choose, the better your essay
will be, so select something you really
know!
R.O.S.E.
Read—think about what you’ve read
Observations—what have you observed in
history, etc.
Seen—what have you seen (live, in movies)
Experiences—personal experiences
Restate your thesis - you’ll use
this to write your conclusion
• Now that you have your thesis statement,
re-write it using different words. It just has
to get the same message across.
• Example:
– The best pet to own is a dog.
– Dogs are the best!
Hook
• Now you’re ready to write your “hook”
• The hook gets the reader’s attention.
• How do you write a hook? Try writing a
TRUISM.
What is a truism?
• Truisms are a truth about life. It is a truth
that is shared by humans all over the world
no matter what culture or generation. It is a
statement that everyone can relate to.
What do I Write?
• The goal with Truisms is that you make a
connection to your life experiences.
• MAKE A CONNECTION and WRITE
ABOUT IT!!
Examples of truisms.
•
Our families help make us who we are.
•
A new friend can change a person's life.
• Watch this Prezi:
http://prezi.com/i_6yqetk62v4/new-andimproved-truisms-kernel-3/
Kernel
Now you have the kernel of your essay!
I. Hook
II. Thesis Statement
A. Reason 1
B. Reason 2
III. Restated thesis statement
F.E.E.D.
Now it’s time to feed your body paragraphs!
You have to provide examples, facts, and
details. Use F.E.E.D. to help you brainstorm!
Facts
Examples
Experiences
Details
Put it all together!
Now it’s time to put your essay together!
Remember the order it all goes in:
I. Introductory paragraph
A. Hook
B. Thesis statement with reason 1 and reason 2
II. Body Paragraph
III. Body Paragraph
IV. Conclusion—this is where you’ll use
your restated thesis statement.
Now what?
Now it’s time to read your rough draft. You
need to look for errors such as repetition of
the same word, fragments, too many short
sentences, misspelled words. Use a thesaurus
to improve the vocabulary used in your essay.
Try reading your essay backwards to find
spelling errors. Make sure you don’t have
unnecessary information in your essay. Look
for any “never evers”! Mark all of your
corrections!
Write your final draft!!
Now write your final draft on the composition
lined box provided. Your goal is to use all or
most of the lines, but not to have unimportant
information in your paper. Your paper must
have substance!
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