Expository Writing Mr. Lamar

Give it to me straight Expository writing is used to: Inform and explain State factual information Show cause and effect Analyze a process Classify information Compare and contrast

How do you know that you will be writing an expository essay? Things to look for in your prompts: Example 1: Write an essay discussing the relative strengths and weaknesses of one particular source for news. Provide examples to illustrate your claims. Develop your ideas so vividly that a reader will have a clear understanding of the benefits and shortcomings of a particular source of news. Example 2: Throughout your years in school, you have studied about many different people. Think about one of these people you have studied during your time at school. What makes this person special enough to study? Write an essay in which you discuss a person you have studied in school. Explain what it is about this person that is special. Use details and examples to support your ideas. Example 3: In the story, “The Hiking Trip,” the reader learns about the main character, Jeff. Jeff ﾕ s personality and emotions are revealed through the actions and dialogue presented in the story. Write an essay in which you describe the personality and emotions of Jeff, the main character. How do his personal characteristics add to the events in the story? How does the author reveal this information about Jeff in the story? Use details and examples from the story to support your ideas.

Organizational Patterns Description - The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples Cue Words - for example, characteristics are SUBJECT examplefeature characteristic example

Organizational Patterns Description Example: The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings. The rings represent the five continents - Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America - from which athletes come to compete in the games. The rings are colored black blue, green, red, and yellow. At least one of these colors is found in the flag of every country sending athletes to compete in the Olympic games.

Organizational Patterns Sequence - The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order. Cue words - first, second, third; next; then; finally First:Next:Finally:

Organizational Patterns Sequence Example: The Olympic games began as athletic festivals to honor the Greek gods. The most important festival was held in the valley of Olympia to honor Zeus, the king of the gods. It was this festival that became the Olympic games in 776 B.C. These games were ended in A.D. 394 by the Roman Emperor who ruled Greece. No Olympic games were held for more than 1,500 years. Then the modern Olympics began in Almost 300 male athletes competed in the first modern Olympics In the games held in 1900, female athletes were allowed to compete. The games have continued every four years since 1896 except during World War II, and they will most likely continue for many years to come.

Organizational Patterns Compare/Contrast - The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different. Cue words: different; in contrast; alike; same as; on the other hand

Organizational Patterns Point #1 Point #2 Point #3 Point #1 Point #2 Point #3 Point #2 Point #1 Subject 2Subject 1 Similarities Details, Examples, Characteristics Basic Structure

Organizational Patterns When organizing a compare/contrast essay, first identify what subjects are being compared. Typically there are two to three subjects. Then determine the specific characteristic(s) that will be discussed regarding those subjects. Next, decide the order of importance for the characteristic(s) being discussed.

Organizational Patterns Using a Thinking Map, how would you organize a compare/contrast essay that is comparing two stories and there is one characteristic being discussed? You have two possible options.

Organizational Patterns Option 1: You can write one body paragraph discussing all the elements or examples of the characteristic found in the first story and then a second paragraph doing the same thing for the second story. Block Method Story 1 Body Paragraph #1 Example/Element 1 and commentary Example/Element 2 and commentary Example/Element 3 and commentary Story 2 Body Paragraph #2 Example/Element 1 and commentary Example/Element 2 and commentary Example/Element 3 and commentary

Organizational Patterns Option 2: You can identify two or three elements of the characteristic being discussed and make each element the focus of the body paragraphs. Point-by-Point Method Element 1 Body Paragraph 1 Element 2 Body Paragraph 2 Element 3 Body Paragraph 3 Example from Story 1 And commentary Example from Story 2 And commentary Example from Story 1 And commentary Example from Story 2 And commentary Example from Story 1 And commentary Example from Story 2 And commentary

Organizational Patterns Compare/Contrast Example: The modern Olympics is very unlike the ancient Olympic games. Individual events are different. While there were no swimming races in the ancient games, for example, there were chariot races. There were no female contestants and all athletes competed in the nude. Of course, the ancient and modern Olympics are also alike in many ways. Some events, such as the javelin and discus throws, are the same. Some people say that cheating, professionalism, and nationalism in the modern games are a disgrace to the Olympic tradition, but according to the ancient Greek writers, there were many cases of cheating, nationalism, and professionalism in their Olympics too.

Organizational Patterns Cause and Effect - The author lists one or more causes and the resulting effect or effects. Cue words: reasons why; if...then; as a result; therefore; because Cause Effect #1 Effect #2 Effect #3

Organizational Patterns Cause and Effect Example: There are several reasons why so many people attend the Olympic games or watch them on television. One reason is tradition. The name Olympics and the torch and flame remind people of the ancient games. People can escape the ordinariness of daily life by attending or watching the Olympics. They like to identify with someone else's individual sacrifice and accomplishment. National pride is another reason, and an athlete's or a team's hard earned victory becomes a nation's victory. There are national medal counts and people keep track of how many medals their country's athletes have won.

Organizational Patterns Problem and Solution - The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. A variation of this pattern is the question- and-answer format in which the author poses a question and then answers it. The author is simply providing possible solutions, not recommending the best solution (that would be persuasive writing). Cue words: problem is; dilemma is; puzzle is solved; question... answer

Organizational Patterns Problem Solution #1 Solution #2 Solution #3

Organizational Patterns Problem and Solution Example: One problem with the modern Olympics is that it has become very big and expensive to operate. The city or country that hosts the games often loses a lot of money. A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the athletic events and housing is needed for the athletes who come from around the world. And all of these facilities are used for only 2 weeks! In 1984, Los Angeles solved these problems by charging a fee for companies who wanted to be official sponsors of the games. Companies like McDonald's paid a lot of money to be part of the Olympics. Many buildings that were already built in the Los Angeles area were also used. The Coliseum where the 1932 games were held was used again and many colleges and universities in the area became playing and living sites.

Format Introduction Hook: catch the audience’s attention by making a statement or comment that they can relate to. These are generally broad statements or interesting observations that introduce the subject of the essay. Topics: Briefly introduce the topics that will be discussed in your essay without getting into detail. Thesis: The main idea being discussed. It must be defined and narrow enough to be supported within the essay.

Format Body: The format of your body paragraphs will be different depending on the type of expository essay you will be writing and the ideas that you wish to highlight. You can either use the Block Method or the Point-by-Point Method.

Format Conclusion: Originally restate the thesis and the main supporting ideas Finish with the a statement that reinforces your position in a meaningful and memorable way. Never introduce new material in the conclusion.

Prompt Now that you have read “Catch the Moon” and “The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant,” you can compare the themes of the two stories in a comparison/contrast essay. Be sure to elaborate on every general statement you make, using details, examples, and quotations from the stories.