STAAR Expository Essays

Expository Writing Persuasive Argumentative Story telling Expository writing: Explains, informs, or defines the author’s subject to the reader. What expository ISN’T: Persuasive Argumentative Story telling A memoir/personal narrative

Parts of a STAAr-styled expository essay Introduction Opening sentence- general statement that introduces the topic. Thesis Statement: The answer to the prompt + your opinion/view on the topic Let’s review: The answer + your opinion = YOUR THESIS! Note: your composition will not pass unless you have a clear thesis!

Parts of a staar-styled expository essay 2. Body Should be only 1 paragraph Explains your thesis fully. Hint: Use EXAMPLES to illustrate your point Best Examples to use: history or historical figures, current events/news, pop culture, personal anecdotes (SHORT personal stories to be used as an example ONLY) NO superficial examples- Ex: If the essay is about overcoming fears, don’t write about how one time you were scared of a spider. Use 1-2 examples NO hypothetical examples!!! (Imagine that…)

Parts of a staar-styled expository essay 3. Conclusion Readdress your thesis, but don’t simply restate it. Should only be 1-2 sentences. DO NOT SAY “And that’s why I think..”

Final thoughts General Tips: Don’t prewrite an entire rough draft on the day of your test or timed writing—you won’t have time to finish! Don’t get carried away with your examples. Don’t turn your essay into a motivational speech! Do proofread—grammar and spelling COUNTS (you can use a dictionary!)