Lesson 4

What’s that mean? (review) An expository essay is “a form of writing which intends to define, inform, explain, elaborate and expound the author’s subject to the reader”. Huh…? It means: You get to write about a topic you know and explain it to your reader. *

How’s it work? (review) Who is your best friend? And Why You get a writing prompt, (like the one on the side.) Or choose your own. Figure out what is the central point you’re going to write about. Come up with your topic. Brainstorm details and supporting facts. Write your essay. Revise. Polish and publish it.

The next 3 weeks- Writing It’s time to start writing. For the next three weeks, we will be working on how to write the actual essay. Then you will put it all together and be writing some essays.

What parts does an essay have? Opening paragraph- contains your central idea (At least) three body paragraphs- contains your topic sentences and supporting details Concluding paragraphs- your feelings

Opening Paragraph Here are some ways to begin an opening paragraph. The opening paragraph includes your central idea. Includes a opening sentences that GRABS the readers attention. 1. Interesting description. Ashes filled the air when I was around the camp fire. Crackle, crackle it went. 2. Sound. Boom! The trunk slammed. Bang! The car doors slammed as we got out of the van. 3. The past in the present. It is April 10, The Titanic is going to travel all the way from England to America. 4. Exclamation. Yeah! We’re going to Disneyland tomorrow! Yeah!” I yelled about as loud as I could. 5. A thought. I’m in big trouble now, I thought to myself. 6. A complaint. It seems like we never go swimming at Fife pool! 7. A surprise. Wow! I was doing my back hand-spring and I landed it!

Opening Paragraph And here are some more… Do you have a best friend? I’m lucky because my best friend is related to me. My sister, Charletta is my best friend for many reasons. 8. A question. Have you ever been an Editor-in-Chief? Well I’ll tell you, it’s a big job! 9. Sound, repetition, and simile. Screech, screech, screech! The first time we tried to play the recorders it sounded like a lion running his claws down a chalkboard. 10. Exclamation, repetition, strong feelings. Chores! Chores! Chores! Chores are boring! Scrubbing toilets, cleaning sinks, and washing bathtubs take up a lot of my time and are not fun at all. 11. Extremely strong feelings. The very first time I saw asparagus I hated it. I had never even tried it before and I still hated it! 12. A series of questions. Touch of the flu? Egg in her hair? Poor Ramona! © by Steve Peha. For more information, or additional teaching materials, please contact: Teaching That Makes Sense, Inc. Web

Assignment Chose 4 of your central ideas and write opening paragraphs for each. Try to use a different style of opening each one.