Writing Expository Paragraphs Using the Step Up to Writing Method

It’s Just a Formula!!! Riddle me this… what is the FORMULA for finding the area of a rectangle? L x W=Area Does that formula ever change? Nope! For expository paragraphs… there is also a FORMULA! Yay! It is the same most every time The formula goes like this… Topic Statement (Thesis Statement) restates the question Reasons/Facts (Answer the question) Three Es: Explain, Example, or Elaborate (give detail) Conclusion

Step Up to Writing Is about: the Writing Process Prewriting and Planning T O W R I T I N G Drafting, Revising, and Editing Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and Sharing

I have assigned colors to each type of sentence. Go! In order to help you remember the order and purpose of each sentence in your paragraph… TOPIC SENTENCE: This sentence should tell the reader where you are going to “go” with that TOPIC. Slow Down! Answer the question. (Provide a reason or fact if necessary) I have assigned colors to each type of sentence. Stop! Three Es: Explain, Elaborate or give an Example about your reason, detail or fact Go Back! Remind the reader of your topic. Answer the question for the reader, “So what? Why is it important to understand this?”

Three Es: Explain, Elaborate, Examples S T E P Topic Reason/Fact (Answer) U P T O Three Es: Explain, Elaborate, Examples W R I T I N G Three Es: Explain, Elaborate, Examples Conclusion Also, don’t forget!! The more RED you have, the better your paragraph will be!! Remember! You can’t have YELLOW without RED!!

Green means “go;” it asks the writer to decide: Topic Sentence: Green means “go;” it asks the writer to decide: “What am I going to prove?” “What am I going to explain?” “What information will I share?” Reasons/Facts (Answer): Yellow means “slow down.” Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence. (Answer the question) Three Es: Explain, example and elaborate Red means “stop and explain.” Present evidence. Provide explanation and examples. The more explanation you have for each Reason/Detail or Fact, the better your paragraph Conclusion: Green means “go back to your topic.” ANSWER the following question for your READER, “So what? Why is it important to understand this?” Restate the topic and the position. Do not introduce new information. Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING: Expository writing is generally considered “Formal”. You want to try to write it in a way that you think would IMPRESS your parent, teacher or future teacher. Follow the suggestions below to help you achieve this. AVOID using, I, we, me, you, us, our AVOID using the same word over and over… use a thesaurus to help make your writing more sophisticated… bigger words, when used correctly, make you sound smarter!   AVOID the following words NEVER belong in your paper: STUFF, THINGS, COOL, ANY TEXTING ABBREVIATIONS (omg, lol, tmi, idk, etc.) AVOID contractions (don’t, can’t, doesn’t, couldn’t, etc.) AVOID giving your opinion unless the assignment specifically asks for it… STICK TO THE FACTS AVOID exclamation points (they do not belong in these papers) AVOID making stuff up… make sure your paper is factual and that if I ask you where you found a piece of information you can point to that fact in the book or another source

STANDARD FORMAT FOR HANDWRITTEN PARAGRAPHS AND PAPERS IN TEXAS HISTORY: Full heading in the top right hand corner of the paper A Title that summarizes the topic of the paragraph (in 4 words or less) Indented paragraphs (use the two finger method if necessary) NEAT, readable FINAL COPY handwriting (if I cannot read it, I cannot grade it)

STANDARD FORMAT FOR TYPED PARAGRAPHS AND PAPERS IN TEXAS HISTORY: Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial, size 12  Double-spaced  Indent your paragraphs (hit the tab key once before you start typing)  Your full heading should be in the top right and corner of the page A TITLE that summarizes the topic of the paper (in 4 words or less)  Your heading and TITLE should be in the “header” of the paper. To use the header, do the following:  In Microsoft Word, go to “View” and select “Header and Footer” Change the alignment to “Align Right” (either click the shortcut button in the bar at the top of the page or go to “Format” then “Paragraph” and when the box pops up change the “Alignment” to right) Type your full heading (Full name, TX History, class period and date) Hit Enter Change the alignment to center and type the Title of the paragraph/paper Click “close” on the header and footer menu bar