Expository Essay What is an expository essay Definition

Expository Essay What is an expository essay? Definition: A type of informational text that clarifies or explains something

Expository Essay Elements Clear, concise, and defined thesis statement Clearly organized structure Strong introduction Specific supporting details Strong conclusion Purposeful and precise word choice Varied sentence structure

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Prompt Analysis Strategies for Prompt Analysis Read Once Throughout Re-Read Sentence by Sentence – Annotating, Highlighting, Using dictionary/thesaurus Look for key words that allude to the PURPOSE of the essay (explain, inform, describe, compare) Look for the TOPIC and consider possible POSITIONS Effective Prompt Analysis is needed to write an effective THESIS statement.

Working by Yourself Depend only on self No slackers Develop a variety of content skills Develop independence, personal accountability Working with a Group Build problemsolving skills Real-World Experience Depend on different talents from group members Share responsibilities

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Definition Characteristics A brief statement, usually no more than 1 -2 sentences, that states what a writer will explain throughout an essay. Examples • A statement (not question) that contains… • A specific topic and… • A well-defined position • It may contain general reasons to support the position. • It is located at the end of the introduction. Thesis • Winning is better than trying your best because your self-esteem is boosted during victory celebrations. • Because of their economic impact, Chinese labor played an important role in western railroad expansion. • The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. Non-examples • I like church. • Was the football stadium worth the money? • Chinese labor is so bad. • Achieve financial, academic and spiritual success by fixing it. • In conclusion, the typical college student leads a busy life.

The THESIS Addresses the main points/ideas of your essays and directly responds to the essay prompt Tells the reader WHAT is being discussed and in WHAT manner/structure they will be discussed Thesis Statements include – TOPIC 1 -2 Genera POSITION REASON

Working by Yourself Depend only on self No slackers Develop a variety of content skills Develop independence, personal accountability Working with a Group Build problemsolving skills Real-World Experience Depend on different talents from group members Share responsibilities Working with a group is better than working alone because a person can build problemsolving skills and depend on other members’ different talents. Thesis: Topic + Position + (1 -2) General

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is better to work by yourself or with a group. Thesis: Topic plus view/position plus general reason Example: Working in groups is better than working alone because members are able to rely on each other’s strengths. Non Example: Working by yourself is better than working in a group because my team member Johnny never contributes to work in the lab. Non Example: Some people prefer to work on their own because they don’t like working in groups.

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is better to work by yourself or with a group. Thesis: Topic plus view/position plus general reason Example: Working in teams is Working in groups is better more preferable than because you get to build working by yourself social skills and you can rely because it helps you on different strengths from build important social members. skills. Non Example: Working in groups is better than working alone.

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Plan your Draft Use this graphic organizer to develop your essay:

Planning your Draft Determine the content of your Essay (General Reasons) Create Brief Outline, Use Graphic Organizers to allow students to formulate their SPECIFIC DETAILS to develop their Working general reason Thesis: with a group is better than working alone because a person can build problem-solving skills and depend on other members’ different talents.

The Body Topic Sentence: (Main Idea of Paragraph : Share position and REASON for position Evidence/Details - Elaborate on FEED evidence Analysis/Commentary – Explain how the details provided support your position and reinforce your reason for that position. 1 # n o s a e R 2 # n o s a Re

Outline Options I: Introduction A. Hook and Bridge B. Thesis: Working with a group is better than working alone because a person can build problem-solving skills and depend on other members’ different talents II. Building Problem-Solving Skills Jason and I argued about project A. Evidence/Details: ____________ F B. Commentary: ______________ Learned to compromise in group III. Depend on Different Talents E Anxious about drawing Texas map A. Evidence/Details: ____________ on Henry’s talent in my group E B. Commentary: Relied ______________ D IV. Conclusion A. Reword Thesis B. Recap

Analysis/Commentary � Writing commentary means giving your opinion, interpretation, insight, analysis, explication, personal reaction, evaluation or reflection about a concrete detail in an essay. � You are “commenting on” a point you have made. � Writing commentary is higher level thinking. � Commentary is what makes an essay interesting to read and gives it depth. � Commentary requires you to think of some original things (from your brain) to say about your concrete detail.

On your copy find: thesis, topic sentence, evidence, analysis/commentary, & restated thesis

The Prompt: Write an essay explaining the importance of being able to see a situation from another person’s point of view. The Sample Essay: Imagine a trial where the jury only gets to hear one side of the argument. Sounds crazy, but this is exactly what happens with humans. We pass judgment on people without considering the other side. A person should always consider other people’s points of view to avoid personal and societal problems. Not being open to the other person’s view will lead to relationship problems. Three years ago my sister Jenna divorced, in part because her husband often did not consider her point of view. He would make decisions without consulting her about things such as where they would go on vacation or what church they would attend. Their marriage failed because he only considered his own point of view. When couples consider each other’s view point, they are happier. On a societal scale, failure to consider another person’s point of causes dangerous prejudice. Let’s think about the homeless person, for example. I’ve even heard Uncle James claim that homeless people are lazy and unmotivated. Even one of the episodes on Criminal Minds had a serial killer murdering homeless people to cleanse society. The prejudice our society has placed on a group like the homeless prevents us from having compassion and stepping into their shoes. We definitely should not make judgments before seeing other perspectives. Of course, it’s not always easy to see things from another person’s point of view, but when we don’t, we are risking personal relationships and perpetuating prejudices. The world would be a better place if everyone made the effort to see things from other points of view.

A person should always consider other people’s points of view to avoid personal and societal problems. Not being open to the other person’s view will lead to relationship problems. On a societal scale, failure to consider another person’s point of causes dangerous Of course, it’s not always easy to see things from another person’s point of view, but when we don’t, we are risking personal relationships and perpetuating prejudices.

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T R O P P U S #1 SUPPORT #2 F E E D

Writing the Introduction There are several ways to start the expository essay, but the introductory paragraph should have thesis statement as the last sentence in of the introduction. Thesis

Funnel Introduction Reveals background information/general information that leads to a focus thesis. Background information Thesis Hook: ________________________________________________________________ Everyone has at some point been asked to work in a group, whether it’s at sch Line: at work, or on a sports team. ________________________________ However, some people still would rather do things on their own rather _ than working with a team. ________________________________ Working in groups is better than working alone because it teaches people socia _______ Sinker: ________________________________

Quotation Use a quotation to lead to a thesis statement Hook: ________________________________________________________________ “Teams make strong individuals” Line: ________________________________ No matter what anyone does in life, working in groups benefits everyone. _ ________________________________ Working in groups is better than working alone because it teaches people socia _______ Sinker: ________________________________________________________________

Turnabout Starts with the opposite idea and then moves to a focus Hook: ________________________________________________________________ Some say independence teaches accountability and self discipline. Line: ________________________________ But working in teams also has its benefits. _ ________________________________ Working in groups is better than working alone because it teaches people socia _______ Sinker: ________________________________________________________________

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T R O P P U S #1 SUPPORT #2 F E E D

The Conclusion �Restate/Reword your thesis (topic, position, and general reason) • After your restated thesis you can restated • Summarize your points • Make your topic relevant to reader 2 -3 Sentences • Connect to Hook THESIS SO WHAT?

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Effective Essays Y OR Y SIT ESSA PO EX ly ze B ra Pr i n To s om pi to � pt c/ rm W R rit ea Po � e so si D T ra he tio n s f si n/ C Int t E s �on ro ss R cl du a ev u c y: issio tio � e n n Ed Es , B it sa od � Es y W y, s rit ay e Fi na l. D ra ft � na A � The Process