Writing an Expository Essay An expository essay is

Writing an Expository Essay

An expository essay is a writing that conveys information or explains and proves something

Introduction to Expository Writing In order to classify as expository, an essay needs: a thesis statement at the end of the introduction that answers the prompt to explain or discuss a particular subject matter

Introduction to Expository Writing In order to classify as expository, an essay needs: strong evidence that backs up thesis statement (in the body paragraphs) a conclusion that makes a final thought for the audience

Literary vs. Expository Writing Literary Expository o Tells a story o Explains/discusses a topic o Includes setting/characters o Includes a thesis statement o Contains a conflict o Contains evidence o Includes dialogue o Includes commentary (reasoning) o Provides a resolution o Provides a conclusion o Prompt will include a photo o Prompt will be completely textual o Creative o Informative

*The expository prompt page on the STAAR test typically has a lot of text. Think of expository in this way: it is logical and informative.

STAAR English I Writing 2013 Released

Sample Prompt for Expository Writing Take risks. Ask big questions. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; if you don’t make mistakes, you’re not reaching far enough. -David Packard, Co-Founder of Hewlett-Packard Taking a risk means acting without knowing whether the outcome will be good. Think carefully about this statement. Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes necessary to take a chance.

Steps to Complete Before Writing the Expository Essay Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes necessary to take a chance. 1. ) Create a “hook, ” which is the opening sentence you will use to begin your entire essay. The “hook” should tie into the prompt in a realistic way. 2. ) Construct a thesis statement that directly answers the prompt in a single sentence (last sentence of your introduction). 3. ) Brainstorm examples that you will use in the body paragraphs.

Student Introduction Examples

Life is all about taking risks. If you don’t take risks, you will never find out what would have happened or not have happened if you would have taken that risk. Taking risks can be a good thing to do sometimes, but can also be a bad thing. You never want to take too many risks because some of them can turn out to be real bad, but then some of them can also be real good. ? ? HY W Strong or Weak WEAK There is no clear thesis statement. This will lead to a weaker paper. Introduction seems very wishy-washy.

A lot of people struggle with the concept of taking chances in their lives. Sometimes people think that if they do not know what the outcome of their actions will be, then it is not worth taking the chance. However, there will be a time in everyone’s life where taking a risk is the best choice because it could end up making all the difference and potentially changing your future. W ? ? HY Strong or Weak STRONG Interesting introduction with a clear thesis statement- we know what to expect from this essay!

Everything cannot be taken with caution or safety. Everything cannot be mapped or planned out according to one’s desire. Some things invoke taking a risk to reach the outcome, even when one has no idea what will happen. Taking a chance is almost always a major first part in achieving success. ? ? HY W Strong or Weak STRONG Good clear thesis statement; there is a good transition sentence to lead into thesis statement.

There are so many opportunities and chances people give up every day. Then later on we regret our choices and decisions we made for not taking the risk. So how come we don’t take the risk? What makes us hold back from taking the risk? ? ? HY W Strong or Weak WEAK Too many rhetorical questions; no thesis statement – VERY weak

Introductory Paragraph Class Practice Read the following quotation: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. ” -William Shakespeare People tend to want to blame others when something does not go right in their life instead of looking at their choices. Think carefully about this statement. Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future.

Introductory Paragraph Practice Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future. Possible “Hook” sentences: Decision: a determination arrived at after consideration (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Even though the future seems uncertain, decisions made today can affect the rest of a person’s life. It is the decisions that people make that show their true character. Life is about choices. Every decision made in life has an outcome: positive or negative.

Introductory Paragraph Individual Practice Read the following quotation: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ” -Nelson Mandela Despite the huge dropout rate in American high schools, statistics show that the average teenager believes that their education directly impacts their likelihood of future success. Think carefully about this statement. Write an essay explaining the importance of education.

Introductory Paragraph Individual Practice Write an essay explaining the importance of education. Now, write two possible hook sentences for your prompt. 1. 2.

Introductory Paragraph Practice Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future. Possible thesis statements: Men and women sometimes need to make choices to improve not only their lives but their community as well. Even though outcomes are uncertain, making good decisions can make a person be successful and positively influence the world around them. A person’s life is influenced by not only their circumstances, but by the choices they make.

Introductory Paragraph Individual Practice Write an essay explaining the importance of education. Now, write your thesis:

Writing an Effective Body Paragraph Ø Begin your body paragraphs with a topic sentence. Ø Give a specific example that helps explain your thesis in each body paragraph. Ø Body paragraphs develop one clear, specific reason or example for believing your thesis statement to be true. Convince your reader to see things as you see them.

PROMPT REMINDER: Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes necessary to take a chance.

Body Paragraph Example Madame Curie took the risk of exposing herself to radiation for the chance to further our knowledge of nuclear radiation. She took the risk without knowing the outcome, resulting in her losing her life after many years of being exposed. It is because of her studies that society has a profound awareness of the matter in order to better protect ourselves. Had she not put herself in harm’s way for the sake of research, the medical world would have suffered greatly.

Another Sample Body Paragraph Some people have a phobia of bugs, so they never go outside or camping. Those people have not taken the chance to be near one and realize that most of them will not harm one unless one bothers them. Of course with the help of bug spray, people can keep off the hungry parasitic ones. But, this will only happen if people take risks and chances. This student received a bad score because the body paragraph does not make the student seem knowledgeable or prove the point well. What does that mean?

Yet Another Sample Body Paragraph It is good to take chances. You will never know if you don’t try. Taking chances will keep you open minded about different actions. There are good choices and bad choices. • Too vague! Develop the idea! Use a specific example in your paragraph. Please don’t do this to me. . .

The Last Example of a Body Paragraph Furthermore, another example would be Atticus Finch from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird. In this novel, Atticus is a white lawyer from the 1930’s who is defending an African American in court. He does this without knowing whether he is guilty or not. He also took this case at the risk of losing his credibility and honor in a racist society. It is because of this risk that everyone in the court and his kids learned about the injustice happening in society. This should be the look on my face when I read your expository essay…

Brainstorming before Writing Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future.

Brainstorming before Writing Write an essay explaining how decisions can shape a person’s future. News/History World Events Miley Cyrus Gabby Douglas Books/Movies School/Community Michael Oher – The Blind Side The Outsiders or The Hunger Games

Brainstorming before Writing Write an essay explaining the importance of education.

Brainstorming before Writing Write an essay explaining the importance of education. News/History World Events Books/Movies School/Community

Conclusion Paragraph Some ideas to consider for conclusions: *a thought provoking quotation *describing a powerful image *talking about the consequences or implications *ending on an interesting twist of thought *explaining why the topic is important *making a prediction

1 2 Discussion of the STAAR Expository Rubric _____________ Look at the rubric in your packet! 3 4

Organization and Progression Score Point 4 • The organization of the essay is appropriate to the purpose and is responsive to the prompt. Score Point 3 • The organization of the essay is appropriate to the purpose and is mostly responsive to the prompt. Score Point 2 • The organization Score Point 1 of the essay is clear but may not always • The organization of the essay is be appropriate to either the prompt. inappropriate or not evident.

Organization and Progression Score Point 4 • All ideas are related Score Point 3 to thesis • Most ideas are statement and are related to the on topic. thesis statement and are on topic. Score Point 2 • Most ideas are Score Point 1 generally related to • Most ideas are the topic, but thesis may be a bit generally related to the topic, but the weak or unclear. thesis statement may be missing, unclear, or illogical.

Organization and Progression Score Point 4 • The writer’s progression of ideas is logical and well controlled. Meaningful transitions and strong connections are used throughout the essay. Score Point 3 • The writer’s progression of ideas is generally controlled. For the most part, transitions and connections are logical through the essay. Score Point 2 • The writer’s Score Point 1 progression of • Lack of meaningful ideas is inconsistent due to transitions and connections makes weak transition. parts of the essay unclear or illogical.

Development of Ideas Score Point 4 • The development of ideas is effective because the details and examples are specific and appropriate and enhance the essay. Score Point 3 • The development of ideas is sufficient because the details and examples are specific and appropriate and add substance to the essay. Score Point 2 • The development of ideas is minimal and remains at surface level because the details and examples are somewhat inappropriate or are too briefly or generally presented. Score Point 1 • The writer’s development of ideas is weak because the details/examples are inappropriate, vague, or insufficient

Development of Ideas Score Point 4 • The essay is thoughtful/engaging. The writer may approach the topic from an unusual perspective, may use his/her unique experiences or view of the world as basis for writing, or may connect ideas in interesting ways. Score Point 3 • The essay reflects Score Point 2 some depth of • The essay reflects thought. The little or no depth of writer’s approach thought. to the topic is original rather than formulaic and shows a good understanding of the expository task. Score Point 1 • The essay is unsubstantial. The writer’s response to the prompt may be vague or confused, demonstrating a lack of understanding of the expository task.

Use of Language and Conventions Score Point 4 • The writer’s word choice is very effective and shows keen awareness of purpose and uses an appropriate tone. • Word choice is strong. Score Point 3 • The writer’s word choice is, for the most part, effective. It reflects a general awareness of purpose and establishes an appropriate tone. Score Point 2 • The writer’s word choice may be vague/weak and does not contribute to the clarity of the essay. Score Point 1 • The writer’s word choice may be imprecise or unsuitable for purpose, impeding the clarity of the essay.

Use of Language and Conventions Score Point 4 • Sentences are varied, enhancing the essay. Score Point 3 • Sentences are Score Point 2 varied, contributing • Sentences may be for the most part to awkward, the effectiveness of weakening the essay. effectiveness of the essay. Score Point 1 ?

Use of Language and Conventions Score Point 4 • The writer demonstrates a consistent command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Score Point 3 • The writer demonstrates a general command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Score Point 2 • The writer demonstrates a partial command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Score Point 1 • The writer has little or no command of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.

Time for YOU to be the STAAR GRADER!

What would you rate this essay? 1 2 3 4

What would you rate this essay? 2

Why a Øideas on topic but not developed Øprogression of ideas weak Øexamples given are too vague to support thesis 2

What would you rate this essay? 1 2 3 4

What would you rate this essay? 4

Why a 4 Øclear thesis Øgood organization Østudent sounds knowledgeable Øwell chosen examples that prove thesis Ødemonstrates control of English language

Sample Prompt for Expository Writing Kevin Pearce suffered a violent crash that shattered his dream of participating in the Olympics and left him with a severe brain injury, facing long odds of a successful recovery. Pearce, who was a rising star and considered a favorite to win a medal in snowboarding at the Vancouver Games, remembers nothing about that December night in 2009. As he was preparing for the Olympic trials, something went awry while he was airborne, and he slammed his head on the lip of the icy halfpipe. He worked tirelessly at rehabilitation, ultimately regaining his speech and vision, while trying to reclaim enough balance to one day ride his snowboard again. That would be his personal Olympics. “There are bigger things in life than snowboarding, ” he said during a recent interview. “What’s so cool, though, is that I’ve been able to deal with it. ” He recently got back on his snowboard and his ride was remarkably smooth, his turns crisp. He smiled a lot and his personality shone. It was a good day on the slopes, one of the best days yet. VIDEO

Sample Prompt for Expository Writing Some individuals show remarkable strength and determination when faced with hardships and obstacles in life. Write an essay explaining how determination can help an individual in the pursuit of a dream.

Your TURN! -Construct your “hook” that you will use to begin your paper -Construct a thesis statement (which is a direct answer to the prompt) -Brainstorm your different examples that you will use in your essay