Expository Paragraphs ENG 1P

Objective Students will be able to compose well-organized expository paragraphs. 

What is an Expository Paragraph? A paragraph that gives information on a topic It may explain ideas, give directions, or proves a point An expository paragraph always uses transition words to help guide the reader through the explanation

Parts of an Expository Paragraph There are four different components of a well-organized expository paragraph.  1. The Topic Sentence  2. The Supporting Details 3. Transition Words  4. The Concluding or Transitioning Sentence 

Topic Sentence 1. The topic sentence is the very first sentence of the paragraph and it should state the main idea of the paragraph. All of the other sentences will be about the topic that you present in the topic sentence. Many topic sentences will contain a specific or a general number word. For example, "Basketball is my favorite sport for three reasons" or "There are several reasons why I want to go to college." 

Supporting Details 2. The supporting details elaborate upon the main idea.  These sentences, which come after the topic sentence, should elaborate upon the main idea by explaining the main idea more fully, answering questions the reader might have, or by giving examples. 

STOP!!! When including your supporting details make a note: There are always THREE supporting details in every expository paragraph. You should make your POINT, then PROVE it with an example and then EXPLAIN or analyze how it relates to the point you made in your topic sentence.

Structure of an Expository Paragraph Topic Sentence Argument/Idea #1         - Quotation or other evidence/example and citation         - Analysis or explain your example and how it strengthens your point quotation or evidence Argument/ Idea #2         - Quotation or other evidence/example and citation         - Analysis or explain your example and how it strengthens your point quotation or evidence  Argument/Idea #3         - Quotation or other evidence/example and citation         - Analysis or explain your example and how it strengthens your point quotation or evidence Concluding Sentence

Transition Words 3. Transition words or phrases should be used when you present a new detail. The type of transition words or phrases you use depend on whether the sentence is adding more detail, giving an example, or presenting a counter-argument . 

Concluding Sentence 4. The concluding or transitioning sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph. It should either provide a new insight about the main idea based on the supporting details, or it should transition into the next paragraph if you are writing a longer essay.

Evaluating Paragraphs Before you try to write some paragraphs, you will look at a few examples and evaluate them based on the rubric above. On each page, read the paragraph and then use the response area in the bottom right-hand corner to type what score you think it should receive and why. 

Example One  Grand Theft Auto 4 is a better video game than Spider Man because it is dynamic. You can hi-jack vehicles such as busses, trucks, boats and even airplanes. Also, when the cops are in a high speed pursuit it is so realistic. In Spider Man, the game, you can’t even drive a car. Another thing is in GTA 4, you can use a variety of weapons such as, AR-15, Uzi, M-16, RPG and more. You can even steal a squad car and complete vigilante missions. 

LEVEL 2 Paragraph Very little explanation Repetitive transitions Missing concluding sentence

Example Two Randy Moss is like the greatest. He's never been to jail or gotten a strike in history like other NFL stars. Randy moss played for about 12 years & was very good.  I believe he was drafted as the first pick, first round when he came from college.  

LEVEL ONE paragraph Topic sentence uses text language “like” Supporting details are limited and very unorganized Uses improper symbols (&) instead of the word and No transition words No concluding sentence

Example Three Pittbull raps with Lil' John. Lil' John and Pittbull sound good together. Pittbull sounds good by himself; but as a duet they sound almost perfect. Not to mention, Little John rocks.

LEVEL R paragraph DOES NOT MEET LEVEL ONE EXPECTATIONS. R stands for REMEDIAL and that means your mark is below a level ONE

Example Four The Denver Nuggets are my favorite NBA team for several reasons. First, I am from Colorado so they are my home team. I think it is good to show that you are proud of where you are from by cheering for the home team. I also like the Nuggets because they have great players. Chauncey Billups is one of the best point guards in the league. He's a great leader who knows how to motivate his team to make everyone better. They also have Carmello Anthony. Anthony has one of the highest points per game averages is in the NBA, so you know he is talented. Finally, I think the Nuggets are great because they play as a team. Even though they have good players, they work together and help each other out. I hope that the Nuggets win the championship soon. 

LEVEL THREE + paragraph Good topic sentence Good transitions Examples and Explanations could be better done Concluding sentence is good but not great!

REVIEW You've just learned how to write an exceedingly excellent expository paragraph. Try to always remember that your expository paragraphs should contain... 1. A topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph so your reader clearly understands what he or she is reading about.  2. Three supporting details that elaborate upon the main idea so your reader understands the main idea better. 3. Transition words or phrases that help you move from one supporting detail to the next in order to help your reader follow your train of thought. 4. A concluding or transitioning sentence that ties everything together and provides a sense of closure to the main idea.  Good luck to you on your future expository endeavors! 

Structure of an Expository Paragraph Topic Sentence Argument/Idea #1         - Quotation or other evidence/example and citation         - Analysis or explain your example and how it strengthens your point quotation or evidence Transition Argument/ Idea #2         - Quotation or other evidence/example and citation         - Analysis or explain your example and how it strengthens your point quotation or evidence Transition  Argument/Idea #3         - Quotation or other evidence/example and citation         - Analysis or explain your example and how it strengthens your point quotation or evidence Concluding Sentence