Exposing the Expository Essay

FIRSTRead and understand the

prompt.Write an essay explaining the

impact (influence) that a family has on an individual.

SECONDDecide on your thesis.

Follow the thesis do’s and don’ts.

Parents should teach their children societal values.

THIRDMake a list of ideas that will

help explain the thesis.1. Parents teach values by

their actions.2. Parents teach values by

what they say.3. Parents teach values by

listening to their children.

FOURTHAdd commentary to your ideas.

1. For example, a parent who recycles aluminum cans and plastic bottles shows his/her child(ren) the importance of protecting the environment. Also, a parent sets an example by not smoking, so the child doesn’t grow up and smoke. Another example is the parent who abstains from using drugs. The child sees this. 2.In addition to not using drugs. Parents can discuss thedangers of drugs with their children.3. When a child has a question about drug abuse, the parent listens to the child’s concerns, and offers advice when needed.

FIFTHBegin revising.

The thesis needs to be more specific. Decide on writing about the environment or drug abuse issues. Parents should teach their children to protect the environment.

Add commentary to support revised thesis.For example, a parent who recycles aluminum cans and plastic bottles shows his/her child(ren) the importance of protecting the environment. Parents use biodegradeable detergents, so that water doesn’t become polluted. Family invests in hybrid or electric cars to use reusable energy sources to slow air pollution.

SIXTHAdd a hook/lead.

Dead fish washed up onto the beach. Pollution killed them. But it didn’t have to happen.

Parents should teach their children the value of protecting

the environment.

SEVENTHFinish with a conclusion.Water is a nonrenewable,

natural resource. One way to preserve our water supply is

through families. It is a parent’s responsibility to

his/her children to protect the environment.

EIGHTHWrite and edit your paper.

Dead fish, bloated, turning black, smelling rancid, lined the beach. They were victims of pollution. This did not have to happen. If parents taught their children the evils of polluting, it would not happen. Parents can tell their children about the effects of pollution. They can show them pictures, read stories to them, and watch television shows with them to explain the dangers of pollution. However, actions speak louder than words. By their actions, parents can’t each their children not to pollute. For example, parents can use biodegradable detergents when washing clothes. They can delay washing until they have a full load of laundry in order to conserve water. In addition, parents can put all trash into trash receptacles. Fish have been strangled by the plastic that holds six packs together after the plastic was carelessly discarded. Even better, parents can recycle plastic containers and aluminum cans thus reducing, not just water pollution, but also land pollution. Water is a nonrenewable, natural resource. One way to preserve our water supply is through education. It is a parent’s responsibility to teach his/her children to protect and save the environment.