Beginnings and Endings Expository Writing Beginnings and Endings

Expository prompts ask you to explain some information and give reasons and details that support the topic. Think about it as writing to inform the reader.

The Parts of Expository Writing   Introduction: Grabber & Topic Sentence Details Details Details Conclusion: Ending and Zinger

Introduction Paragraphs Introduction: Grabber & Topic Sentence Grabber- a sentence or two that "hooks" your reader and makes him want to read more. question descriptive segment an opinion an amazing or unusual fact a statistic an anecdote a humorous statement a shocking statement a scenario

Introduction: Grabber & Topic Sentence This is a sentence that tells your reader what you are writing about. Be sure to include one or two important words from the prompt. Be brief and clear.

Type of Grabber: Descriptive Segment Original Topic Sentence: Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company! They're cute and fury, sophisticated and intelligent, playful and independent. Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company!

Type of Grabber: Amazing Fact Original Topic Sentence: Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company! These celebrities of the animal kingdom have been featured everywhere from Broadway to King Tut's tomb! Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company!

Type of Grabber: Quote Original Topic Sentence: Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company! "I'd travel anywhere around the globe to make a movie," says Hollywood actress Maxine Foster, "as long as I can bring my kitty cat on the shoot!" Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company!

Type of Grabber: Statistics Original Topic Sentence: Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company! What do more than 70 million Americans have in common? They are the proud owners of the fabulous feline! Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company!

Type so Grabber: Question Original Topic Sentence: Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company! Are you looking for a good companion, a faithful friend, some good clean entertainment? Then look no further! Just buy yourself a cat! Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company!

Type of Grabber: Anecdote Original Topic Sentence: Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company! I come home and plop down on my couch, exhausted. A warm ball of fur rubs against my ankles, jumps onto the couch and cuddles up, purring softly. Suddenly I feel the stress of the day melt away. Without a doubt, cats are beautiful, easy to care for, and great company!

Introduction Don’ts DO NOT introduce yourself as the author DO NOT begin with “I am going to write to you about”

Think of a household job or chore that you hate to do and explain why. Types of Grabbers: Descriptive Segment An Amazing Fact Quote Statistic Question Anecdote Think of a household job or chore that you hate to do and explain why. Topic Sentence:

Conclusion: Ending and Zinger The conclusion paragraph should “sum up” the main ideas. Example: So now you know what frogs look like, where they live, and how they grow and change. THE END What do you think?

Restate each main idea as a question First Example: So now you know what frogs look like, where they live, and how they grow and change. THE END Restate each main idea as a question Would you enjoy a nature walk by the marsh or pond? Are you entertained by the flopping about of tadpoles and the leaping of long-legged green frogs? If so, you should get to know the common, yet fascinating frog! Notice how this conclusion still sums up the main ideas of appearance (long-legged, green), habitat (marsh or pond) and the life cycle (tadpoles and frogs).

Key Words / Phrases Would you enjoy a nature walk by the marsh or pond? Are you entertained by the flopping about of tadpoles and the leaping of long-legged green amphibians? If so, you should get to know the common, yet fascinating frog! Notice the use of “marsh or pond” in place of “where they live”, “tadpoles” and “long-legged green amphibians” in place of “how they grow and change, and “long-legged, green amphibians” in place of “frog”.

Definitive Words / Phrases These words lend an air of authority and finality to the piece. certainly surely without a doubt clearly decidedly truly for sure absolutely definitely of course indeed undoubtedly positively Would you enjoy a nature walk by the marsh or pond? Are you entertained by the flopping about of tadpoles and the leaping of long-legged green frogs? If so, you should certainly get to know the common, yet fascinating frog!

Hypothetical Anecdote If you ever stroll along the banks of a pond, or take a kayak or canoe out on a small lake, be on the lookout for these interesting creatures. From egg to tadpole, from tadpole to frog, these long-legged, green hopping amphibians will definitely catch your eye. Without a doubt, these comical croakers are fascinating!

Conclusion: Ending and Zinger A zinger is a little extra we add AFTER THE ENDING just to impress the reader. The zinger makes you: feel smile or think The zinger can be a single word: Ole! Bravo! Halleluia! Eureka! The zinger can be a quote, a phrase, a song lyric, a line of poetry, or a familiar saying. Some examples are: I’ll never do THAT again! Cha-ching! Better safe, than sorry! Look before you leap. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Thanks, Mom.

Now you give it a try! Ending: Restate each main idea with a question Use of key words / phrases Use of definitive words / phrases Hypothetical anecdote Now add the ZINGER! ****************************************** Think of an activity you enjoy doing. Write several paragraphs explain to your teacher the reasons why you like doing that activity Write an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph ONLY. 