1. Essay Varieties
Expository
Persuasive
Descriptive
Narrative

2. What is an expository essay? It …
…Gives facts.
…Explains.
…Gives steps in a process.
…Presents ideas in logical order or correct sequence.

3. What are the key words that show it is an expository prompt?
Most people enjoy some type of music. Think about your favorite type of music and explain why you like that particular type of music.
Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at times. Explain how you would direct a lost person to get back to highway 97 from your neighborhood.
Tell how to make a hamburger.
YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT: EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.

4. What is a descriptive essay?
Sensory images are used to describe what the writer sees, hears, smells, touches, and tastes.
It paints a clear description of people, places, objects, or events.

5. What are the key words that show it is a descriptive prompt?
Describe your bedroom. Imagine telling someone who has never visited you.
There are many tourist spots to visit in the Okanagan. Describe your favorite place to take visitors. Tell the visitor what you see, hear, smell and feel when you are there.
Tell us what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel on Christmas morning.
YOU MUST DESCRIBE OR TELL WHAT A PERSON CAN SEE, HEAR, SMELL, TASTE OR FEEL.

6. What is a persuasive essay?
You are asked to prove something.
Give reasons why.
Compare and .
Take a stand
Ask or call for an action.

7. What are the key words that show it’s a persuasive prompt?
Persuade a close friend to donate blood as part of a blood drive that your school is sponsoring for the Red Cross.
Some of your kid brothers friends have taken up smoking and want him to start too. Write a convincing letter to your kid brother to not take up this habit.
Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper telling why citizens in Kelowna should support a tax increase benefiting the local skate parks.
YOU WILL NOTICE THE WORDS PERSUADE, CONVINCE OR TELL WHY SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.

8. What is a narrative? A narrative: Tells a story.
Employs the structure of a plot graph.
Has action, conflict, and problems.
Has realistic dialogue.
Has a variety of characters.
Has a definite beginning, middle and end.

9. What are the key words that show that these are narrative prompts?
You and your friend find a big box that is labeled “Do Not Open.” Your friend wants to open the box. Write a story about what happens next.
Tell about a time when you made a serious mistake.
Two little girls found a wallet on the sidewalk. Tell what happened next.
YOU WILL NOTICE THE WORDS:
WRITE A STORY/NARRATIVE, TELL ABOUT A TIME, OR
FINISH THIS STORY.

10. Make sure you brainstorm and outline your essay BEFORE you write.
Before you respond to any prompt, determine what type of prompt you have and read it at least THREE times.
Expository--explain, tell how
Descriptive--describe
Persuasive---persuade or convince
Narrative-- tell about a time when, tell a story
Make sure you brainstorm and outline your essay BEFORE you write.

11. How do I brainstorm? Use PACO!
P-What is your purpose?
A- Who is your audience?
C- Content --What are your ideas for details, facts, or reasons?
O- Organization –
How should you structure your paper?
Jot down these ideas in an outline.

12. Summary and Tips Identify your prompt
Use PACO to brainstorm and outline.
Give your work a title with an action word.
Grab interest in the beginning
Build your paragraph with explanations, examples, & evidence following the topic statement or key statement.
Use strong action words
Use vivid adjectives
Use metaphors
Finished? Reread & edit to improve and clarify. Apply the six traits of writing.