Expository Writing

Expository vs Argument Writinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRpPHylKFCQ

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 attentionBackground – information that helps the reader

understand what you are writing aboutThesis 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 conclusionClincher 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, expensiveCure AidsDetails: epidemic, people are dying, world is unsafeCure CancerDetails: families are split apart, people die, it is a disease which affects all of usEquality among people/race/religionDetails: examples of race, religion etc.Stop pollutionDetails: water purity, ozone layer, fish die, people have respiratory diseasesAnimal AbuseDetails: animal testing, cruelty to animals, elephant poachingChild AbuseDetails: neglect, physical abuse, verbal abuseFamily ValuesDetails: immorality, adultery, faithfulnessEducationDetails: school grades, make school fun, scores, learn to read and writeCrimeDetails: gang warfare, drive by shooting, mafia, robberiesWorld HungerDetails: India- starving people, Africa, homeless and starving in AmericaGovernment DictatorsDetails: 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 topic-• Short 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 statistics2) Essay that is developed with steps in a process3) Essay that is in a compare and contrast formatExample:Paragraph 1: Introductory Paragraph

A. Thesis sentence____________________________B. Background info____________________________C. Statistics- if relevant__________________________

Paragraph 2: Reason#1 or Process #1 Use a transition wordA. Example/detail #1______________________________B. Example/detail #2______________________________C. Example/detail#3_______________________________

Paragraph 3: Reason #2or Process #2 Use a transition wordA. Example/detail #1______________________________B. Example/detail#2_______________________________C. Example/detail #3______________________________

Paragraph 4: Reason #3 or Process #3 Use a transition wordA. 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?