Step Up to Writing Elements of Expository Writing

Step Up to Writing Elements of Expository Writing

Color Coding – Traffic Lights We use traffic light colors to help us write expository essays and good paragraphs

GREEN GO! Write a topic sentence!

YELLOW SLOW DOWN Give reason, detail or fact Use a transition word/phrase

RED STOP! Explain Give an example

GREEN GO BACK! Remind the reader of your topic

EXAMPLE The three colors of the traffic light help me remember how to write a simple paragraph. First, I use green to get me going. My topic sentence is green; it tells the reader what I am going to prove, explain, describe or share. Next, yellow reminds me to slow down and support my topic with good reasons, interesting facts, or well described details. I introduce my reasons, details, or facts with transitions. Finally, I see red and it reminds me to stop. Red examples, explanations, evidence and events bring my paragraph to life. My conclusion, of course, is green because I go back to my topic and use my last sentence to remind the reader of the topic.

ORGANIZATION IS KEY Use the colors of a traffic light and informal outlines to plan a paragraph, essay or report It will help you visualize what you’re going to write

TOPIC SENTENCES ARE THE HEART Use green to remember that topic sentences tell your reader what you are going to talk about or explain In essays, the topic sentence is also called a thesis statement

TRANSITIONS ARE THE GLUE FOR MAIN IDEAS Use yellow to remind yourself to SLOW DOWN and make smooth, yet clear transitions when a new main idea is introduced

EXAMPLES, EVIDENCE AND EXPLANATION ARE THE MEAT Use red to remind yourself to stop and explain Explanation, evidence and examples will help you to expand or elaborate your main ideas

CONCLUSIONS TIE IT ALL TOGETHER Use green again! This will remind you to go back to your topic! A good conclusion reminds your reader about the purpose of your paragraph or essay!