The Power of Expository Writing: Importance and Impact
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THE
EXPOSITORY
ESSAY
What do you think? Why do you think it?
1
Why does writing matter?
You are judged based on your ability to
communicate clearly.
Right now:
The words you
say
- friends, family, strangers, teachers
The words you
type
- social media, texts
The words you
write
- grades
In the future:
The words you write- grades, applications, resumes,
emails, texts, tweets, etc.
2
Writing is the skill of communicating without your
presence. Your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and world
view can be known even without you if you can
simply convey them through the words put down
onto paper or document.
Do not underestimate the power of
clear written
communication. This is our goal.
3
Expository Writing
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4
Expository writing in your every day
You see and write expository more than you think!
These are often found in:
Blogs
Tweets
Texts
Editorials
Letters
Opinion articles
Recipes
5
Expository Essay Genre
Many other
subgenres
exist within the expository
genre. While they are similar because the writer is
explaining his/her thoughts, each sub-genre is a
slightly different and requires different techniques.
(Think about how a rectangle is a square, but a
square isn’t a rectangle.)
6
Subgenres of the expository essay
Informational essay
“How To” essay
Compare/Contrast
Persuasive (sophomore
year)
Literary Analysis
Literary Criticism
Cause and effect
essay
7
STAAR
For the STAAR, you will write
two expository essays
.
STAAR expository essays fall into a subgenre all its
own!
8
STAAR Expository Essay…
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Here is a sample EXPOSITORY PROMPT
Read
the information in the box below.
Jane Austen (1775–1817) and Franz Kafka (1883–1924) are
considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are
widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them,
however, received much recognition while they were alive.
Should people do things only to be recognized?
Think
carefully about
this question.
Write
an essay explaining whether a person must always be
acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.
Be sure to —
clearly state your thesis
organize and develop your ideas effectively
choose your words carefully
edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
10
10
Expository Prompt
Notice on the prompt how you were first asked to
Read
some information, then you are asked to
Think
about
something, then you are asked to
Write
an essay.
The
“Write”
part is what your essay should be about- THE
ACTUAL PROMPT.
The
Read
and
Think
parts are just to get you thinking
about the topic (in this case, the topics are recognition and
accomplishment)
11
11
Highlight or star the actual prompt on your paper.
12
12
Prompt:
Write
an essay explaining whether a person must
always be acknowledged in order to have
accomplished something.
13
13
Circle key words in the PROMPT
Read
the information in the box below.
Jane Austen (1775–1817) and Franz Kafka (1883–1924) are
considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are
widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them,
however, received much recognition while they were alive.
Should people do things only to be recognized?
Think
carefully about
this question.
Write
an essay explaining whether a person must always be
acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.
Be sure to —
clearly state your thesis
organize and develop your ideas effectively
choose your words carefully
edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
14
14
Introduction
Your first paragraph should introduce the
idea
of
the prompt.
This paragraph should also include your
thesis
statement.
In the STAAR, your introduction should take up no
more than
5 or 6
lines.
15
15
Body- Illustrations (examples to
explain your thesis)
Your body should consist of
1-3
paragraphs. This
should take up most your essay.
Use
one or two
examples to help explain your
reasoning.
16
16
Illustrations- HELP
Types of Illustrations (examples):
History-
What have you learned in history class that
could explain why you believe that position?
Experience-
What examples from your own life explain
why you believe that position?
Literature
- What examples can you use from stories?
Pop Culture-
Are there any athletes or celebrities that
explain why you believe that position?
17
17
Conclusion paragraph
Your last paragraph should explain the i
mpact or
effect
of what you’re trying to say.
You want to use this as an opportunity to clearly
connect
your essay back to your
thesis
without
simply restating your thesis.
18
18
PRACTICE
19
19
Expository Writing – THE THESIS
The first thing you need is a THESIS.
A thesis is your
“answer” to the prompt and says
what you think about the
issue.
To write your thesis, identify the key ideas in the prompt
and make sure to say what you think about those ideas in
your thesis.
Go back to the prompt and circle key words that are vital
to understanding the idea of the prompt.
20
20
THESIS
Thesis=
Point + “because” + reason
(why
do you think that?)
21
21
Expository Writing
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Thesis statements: Must Have It!
Answers the prompt-
You must actually answer the prompt
given you. Don’t write about your date last night if the prompt
is about necessary qualities in mentors.
Specific-
It’s not about simply answering the prompt, you must
also clearly state why you choose that stand. (example: If you
are writing about necessary leadership qualities, don’t say
“leaders must be good people.” What is “good”? Why does
that qualify them to be leaders? Avoid being vague.)
Supportable-
Can you give examples to support that thesis? If
not, think again.
23
23
Thesis statements: Must Lose It!
I think, I believe, I feel-
The reader knows that you
wrote it, so it is not necessary to write that you think
it. It just makes the paper more wordy.
Inappropriate language and situations-
This is a
formal paper, being scored by people you don’t
know. Present yourself in an educated manner by
avoiding slang and cuss words. You are trying to
prove that you are capable of the expected 9
th
grade level of writing.
24
24
Expository Writing
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Expository Writing – THE THESIS
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Expository Writing – THE THESIS
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Does it answer the prompt?
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Is it supportable?
27
27
Expository Writing – THE THESIS
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Because…
Adding a because statement will make your thesis
much more focused and specific.
Adding a because statement allows your reader to
clearly understand what you’re trying to say right
away!
Adding a because statement will often times
provide a great way to transition into your
examples.
Answer the prompt then add a because statement
to specify your thoughts in a clear way.
29
29
Practice!
Write a thesis statement for the following prompt.
Be sure to respond to the prompt and add a
because statement.
#
1
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Expository writing is essential for clear communication and expressing thoughts effectively through written words. This form of writing helps convey ideas, information, and opinions concisely, making it crucial for academic, professional, and personal communication. The structure of expository writing, including introduction, body, and conclusion, aids in presenting information logically. Different subgenres within expository writing offer versatile ways to explain and analyze various topics. Understanding and mastering expository writing can enhance one's communication skills and ability to convey ideas thoughtfully.
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Presentation Transcript
1 THE EXPOSITORY ESSAY What do you think? Why do you think it?
Why does writing matter? 2 You are judged based on your ability to communicate clearly. Right now: The words you say- friends, family, strangers, teachers The words you type- social media, texts The words you write- grades In the future: The words you write- grades, applications, resumes, emails, texts, tweets, etc.
3 Writing is the skill of communicating without your presence. Your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and world view can be known even without you if you can simply convey them through the words put down onto paper or document. Do not underestimate the power of clear written communication. This is our goal.
Expository Writing 4 Purpose: to explain information Text structure is often: 1. Introduction -grabs reader (lead) and tells reader what the entire piece is about with a (topic sentence). 2. Body- Number of paragraphs with one distinct main idea with supporting details. The key is for author to write as many paragraphs needed to fully develop the topic. 3. Conclusion- reiterates the main idea and explains the impact or effect of the idea. May be done straight forward or implied.
Expository writing in your every day 5 You see and write expository more than you think! These are often found in: Blogs Tweets Texts Editorials Letters Opinion articles Recipes
Expository Essay Genre 6 Many other subgenres exist within the expository genre. While they are similar because the writer is explaining his/her thoughts, each sub-genre is a slightly different and requires different techniques. (Think about how a rectangle is a square, but a square isn t a rectangle.)
Subgenres of the expository essay 7 Informational essay How To essay Compare/Contrast Persuasive (sophomore year) Literary Analysis Literary Criticism Cause and effect essay
STAAR 8 For the STAAR, you will write two expository essays. STAAR expository essays fall into a subgenre all its own!
STAAR Expository Essay 9 The expository essay requires students to clearly explain what they think about something. For this expository essay, you are just explaining WHAT you think about an issue and WHY you think it. Your essay must be 27 lines or less in length.
Here is a sample EXPOSITORY PROMPT 10 Read the information in the box below. Jane Austen (1775 1817) and Franz Kafka (1883 1924) are considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them, however, received much recognition while they were alive. Should people do things only to be recognized? Think carefully about this question. Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Be sure to clearly state your thesis organize and develop your ideas effectively choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Expository Prompt 11 Notice on the prompt how you were first asked to Read some information, then you are asked to Think about something, then you are asked to Write an essay. The Write part is what your essay should be about- THE ACTUAL PROMPT. The Read and Think parts are just to get you thinking about the topic (in this case, the topics are recognition and accomplishment)
12 Highlight or star the actual prompt on your paper.
Prompt: 13 Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.
Circle key words in the PROMPT 14 Read the information in the box below. Jane Austen (1775 1817) and Franz Kafka (1883 1924) are considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them, however, received much recognition while they were alive. Should people do things only to be recognized? Think carefully about this question. Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Be sure to clearly state your thesis organize and develop your ideas effectively choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Introduction 15 Your first paragraph should introduce the idea of the prompt. This paragraph should also include your thesis statement. In the STAAR, your introduction should take up no more than 5 or 6 lines.
Body- Illustrations (examples to explain your thesis) 16 Your body should consist of 1-3 paragraphs. This should take up most your essay. Use one or two examples to help explain your reasoning.
Illustrations- HELP 17 Types of Illustrations (examples): History- What have you learned in history class that could explain why you believe that position? Experience- What examples from your own life explain why you believe that position? Literature- What examples can you use from stories? Pop Culture- Are there any athletes or celebrities that explain why you believe that position?
Conclusion paragraph 18 Your last paragraph should explain the impact or effect of what you re trying to say. You want to use this as an opportunity to clearly connect your essay back to your thesis without simply restating your thesis.
PRACTICE 19
Expository Writing THE THESIS 20 The first thing you need is a THESIS. A thesis is your answer to the prompt and says what you think about the issue. To write your thesis, identify the key ideas in the prompt and make sure to say what you think about those ideas in your thesis. Go back to the prompt and circle key words that are vital to understanding the idea of the prompt.
THESIS 21 Thesis= Point + because + reason (why do you think that?)
Expository Writing 22 Your thesis should be located AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR ESSAY in your introduction.
Thesis statements: Must Have It! 23 Answers the prompt- You must actually answer the prompt given you. Don t write about your date last night if the prompt is about necessary qualities in mentors. Specific-It s not about simply answering the prompt, you must also clearly state why you choose that stand. (example: If you are writing about necessary leadership qualities, don t say leaders must be good people. What is good ? Why does that qualify them to be leaders? Avoid being vague.) Supportable- Can you give examples to support that thesis? If not, think again.
Thesis statements: Must Lose It! 24 I think, I believe, I feel- The reader knows that you wrote it, so it is not necessary to write that you think it. It just makes the paper more wordy. Inappropriate language and situations- This is a formal paper, being scored by people you don t know. Present yourself in an educated manner by avoiding slang and cuss words. You are trying to prove that you are capable of the expected 9th grade level of writing.
Expository Writing 25 JUST REMEMBER: Your entire essay should support your thesis.
Expository Writing THE THESIS 26 Thesis Example: Prompt: Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.
Expository Writing THE THESIS 27 Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. 1. Does it answer the prompt? 2. Is it specific? 3. Is it supportable?
Expository Writing THE THESIS 28 Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Improvements: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something because acknowledgment is simply a welcomed benefit, not a way of determining if something is actually accomplished.
Because 29 Adding a because statement will make your thesis much more focused and specific. Adding a because statement allows your reader to clearly understand what you re trying to say right away! Adding a because statement will often times provide a great way to transition into your examples. Answer the prompt then add a because statement to specify your thoughts in a clear way.
Practice! 30 Write a thesis statement for the following prompt. Be sure to respond to the prompt and add a because statement. #1 Prompt: Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.
