1. Expository essay
Purpose: To Inform

2. Why is this important to me?
You will be taking an End of Course Exam with (1) expository essays.
You must pass the STAAR exam to graduate. It is one of your graduation requirements.
THE EOC IS TIMED: You have about 65 minutes to plan and type your essay.

3. What is the purpose of expository writing?
There are many purposes for expository writing – to inform or to persuade.
In ninth grade you will write (1) informative essays.
In tenth grade you will write (1) persuasive essays.
Where will I use expository writing after high school? In college English, History, and Science classes. Most careers rely on this too…
Paramedics, Doctors, Ambulance Drivers, Police, Car Mechanics, Teachers, Writers, Actors, Vets., Managers of Companies all use this on a daily basis.

4. THE EOC IS CHALLENGING
When you write your essay for the EOC you are not provided any texts or literary work you can pull examples from.
The only resources you can use must come from your own brain.
This means you have to pull examples from subject material you learned in English, Science, Math, P.E., Electives or T.V., Books, Movies, Pop culture, or Sports. If you do not provide examples to support your topic sentences you will fail.

5. Expectations Clear thesis statement Two supporting examples
Strong diction, sentence variety, and use of figurative language
Transitional Phrases
No grammatical or spelling mistakes
Complex Thinking

6. What does an expository essay do?
An expository essay explains, or acquaints the reader with knowledge about the topic. Expository essays use facts and statistical information, cause and effect relationships, or examples.

7. You can not say, “I think” or “My Opinion Is”
Since expository essays are factual, they are written without emotion and usually written in the third person. That means that the use of the pronoun "I" is not usually found within the essay.

8. Expository Essays have a distinct format
Introduction: You have a hook (engaging sent.), background information, and a thesis statement that tells the reader what you will be informing about and includes your examples.
Body Paragraphs: Transitions that show the connection between your ideas + Topic Sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph will inform about + an example or scenario that supports the topic sent. + concluding sent. that summarizes the paragraph.
Conclusion: Summarizes the essay + explains the long or short term consequences on the community, nation, or world.

9. Read the information in the box below.
The digital audio player, also known as the MP3 player, first became available to the general public in Unlike the compact disc player, this technology did not require that music be stored on separate discs. MP3 players have now become the dominant medium for listening to music.
Think about the new technologies that people use in everyday life.
Write an essay explaining the effect of one new technology on people’s lives.
Be sure to –
Clearly state your thesis
Organize and develop your ideas effectively
Choose your words carefully
Edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

10. Model Essay: Write about the importance of friendship.
Have you ever had a best friend? A best friend is important to many people in society because they provide emotional support. A friend can both positively and negatively effect a person. A true friend can impact you by providing emotional support and getting you to try new activities.
Throughout life, you face many struggles and tribulations that can be less devastating with the support of a friend. When you have a best friend who you can talk to over the phone or through texting, they often can talk to you about the situation. Their advice can lift your mood from sadness to one of clarity. Often times your friend is separated from the issue you are dealing with and they can give you advice or persuade you to talk to your mom or dad about the problem. A friend can impact your emotions and provide helpful advice to get you out of tough situations.
In addition to providing emotional support, a friend can also convince you to try new activities. Many people struggle with trying something new and the anxiety of doing it by yourself. When you try something with a friend you know that you are not alone. This can give you the confidence you need to master a new sport or activity. Friends are inspirational you often strive to emulate them and they guide you into trying new things.
Overall, friends impact your daily decisions and help motivate you to expand your horizons. Many times your best friends become the one person you trust and turn to for advice. In some cases you spend more time with your friends than your immediate family. Friendship is an important tool that impacts every person in the world and it can be the driving force behind making positive decisions and trying out new hobbies.