Expository Writing Notes

You must remember... Expository writing needs... –One topic –Reasons supporting that topic Three reasons –Details that support that support each reason –A conclusion that connects everything together –Transition words –Clear, concise, logical and informative language

Revising Checklist Check that you have all the elements of an expository essay –Reasons –Details –Transition words –Conclusion that re-states your topic –Coherence, logic and clearly written

Editing Checklist Complete sentences Varied sentence types Capitalization Punctuation Grammar –Subject/ verb agreement –Pronoun antecedents

Main Idea –The ‘one’ thing the body paragraphs are about Supporting Details –Can be descriptive –Can be factual –Can be from personal experience –Can be anecdotes

Definitions Thesis Statement –The main idea of the entire essay –The “one” thing Transition Words –Words that move the reader from one idea to another –First, second, as a result –See your writing journal for more transition words (duct tape)

Expository writing is... Defined as presenting reasons, explanation, or steps in a process Information writing Should follow a logical sequence and have three different main points Should be logical and coherent

Expository writing... Does not tell a story Does not persuade a reader it only gives facts and reasons

Introduction Should include the thesis statement Three main reasons supporting the thesis statement A ‘hook’ –Hook your reader with a questions, quote, short anecdote, or a personal experience statement

Body Paragraphs Paragraph 2 –Main idea (one thing) –Supporting details Paragraph 3 –Main idea (one thing) –Supporting Details Paragraph 4 –Main idea (one thing) –Supporting details

Conclusion Restate your thesis Adds the ‘why’ or reason for the essay Do not use: –This is all I have to say about. –Thank you for reading my essay.

EXAMPLE

Paragraph 1 I admire friends with great qualities. Three qualities I admire are: loyalty, honesty, and a good sense of humor.