1. Expository Writing Practice
Scarlet Ibis
(the bird)

2. What is Expository/ Informational Writing?
Expository writing is characterized by ideas, information, directions, explanations, and opinions which are reinforced by quality concrete details and commentary(elaboration).
Involves providing information to the reader about a particular topic by:
Sequencing steps
Comparing and contrasting
Categorizing
Reporting
Defining
Describing
Explaining why
Expressing an opinion

3. Expository Text Example: Rhinoceros
The African rhino is divided into two species, the black rhino and the white rhino. White rhinos mainly live in South Africa, but they have also been reintroduced to Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. Southern white rhinos have been introduced to Kenya, Zambia, and Cote d’Ivoire. The majority of the black rhino population—98%—is concentrated in four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. South Africa houses 40% of the total black rhino population. There are some black rhinos in the region spread between Cameroon and Kenya.
Rhinos may look like prehistoric creatures, and they do date back millions of years to the Miocene era, but they are also mammals like us. There are two species of African rhinos, the white rhino and black rhino, and each is distinct in its own way. The white, or square-lipped, rhino derives its name from the Dutch word “weit,” meaning wide. It is actually gray in color and has a hump on its neck and a long face. The black, or hooked-lipped, rhino has a thick, hairless gray hide. Both rhinos have two horns.
The black rhino is a browser. Its triangular-shaped upper lip, which ends in a grasping point, is used to eat a large variety of vegetation—including leaves; buds; and shoots of plants, bushes, and trees. It can be found in various habitats that have dense, woody vegetation. The white rhino lives in savannas, which have water holes, mud wallows, shade trees, and the grasses they graze on.

4. Classifying Map Example
Rhinoceros
habitat
characteristics
diet
Mostly South Africa (“Rhinoceros”)
Black Rhinos mostly in four countries (“Rhinoceros”)
Black rhinos in region of Cameroon and Kenya (“Rhinoceros”)
Dense, woody vegetation
Two species: white or black
Two horns
Black one has thick, hairless hide
White rhino is gray with a hump
Black rhino eats vegetation
White rhino grazes on grasses.

5. Next,
Circle two concrete details you want to focus on from each column and circle them.
Write an introductory sentence about your subject.
Then, cover up your chart and only focus on the first column.
Complete a sequencing box. (See next two slides for visuals).
Then, write complete sentences for your concrete details.
Then, write one sentence of commentary.
Finally, add a concluding sentence.
Example on following slide:

6. Classifying Map Example
The black rhinoceros is an interesting mammal who is different from other animals.
Rhinoceros
habitat
characteristics
Introductory sentence.
diet
Mostly South Africa (“Rhinoceros”)
Black Rhinos mostly in four countries (“Rhinoceros”)
Black rhinos in region of Cameroon and Kenya (“Rhinoceros”)
Grasslands with
dense, woody plants
White rhino-savannas with water holes and shady trees
Two species: white or black
Two horns
Black one has thick, hairless hide
White rhino is gray with a hump
Black rhino eats vegetation
Plants with shoots
White rhino
grazes on grasses.

7. Next… Focus only on the first column for now.
Choose the two circled concrete details and make into complete sentences, and then add commentary and a concluding sentence.
Example on following slide:

8. First body paragraph.
Topic sentence for 1st body paragraph.
To begin with, the black rhinoceros’ habitat is different from a lot of animals.
habitat
Mostly in South Africa
For example, they mostly live in South Africa (“Rhinoceros”).
Concrete Details
Also, the black rhino mostly lives in areas that have thick, woody plants and trees (“Rhinoceros”).
Black rhino-dense, woody vegetation.
This means that the rhino is equipped to live in a hot environment, and likes to eat plants.
In conclusion, the black rhino is different from other animals who prefer colder areas and like to eat meat.

9. Put all together:
The black rhino is an interesting mammal who is different from other animals.
To begin with, the black rhinoceros’ habitat is different from a lot of animals. For example, they mostly live in South Africa (“Rhinoceros”). Also, the black rhino mostly lives in areas that have thick, woody plants and trees (“Rhinocerous”). This means that the rhino, is equipped to live in a hot environment and likes to eat plants. In conclusion, the black rhino is different from other animals, who prefer colder areas and like to eat meat.

10. Second body paragraph.
Topic sentence for 1st body paragraph.
Also, the black rhinoceros has distinguishing characteristics that set it apart from other animals.
characteristics
Two horns on it’s snout.
For example, they have two horns on their snouts (“Rhinoceros”).
Concrete Details
Also, the black rhino has a thick, hairless hide (“Rhinoceros”).
Thick, hairless hide
This means that the rhino has features that other mammals don’t.
In conclusion, the black rhino is an original-looking mammal who’s looks make it stand out.

11. Format for 2nd body paragraph:
Topic Sentence: Next, _____________________________________.
For example, ________________________________________________.
Also, _______________________________________________________.
This means, _________________________________________________.
In conclusion, _______________________________________________.
Concrete detail (CD)
Concrete detail
Also, the black rhinoceros has distinguishing characteristics that set it apart from other mammals. For example, they have two horns on their snouts. Also, the black rhino has a thick, hairless hide (“Rhinoceros”). This means that the rhino has features that the other mammals don’t. In conclusion, the black rhino is an original-looking mammal who’s looks make it stand out.

12. Directions:
Read through the informational text about the Scarlet Ibis.
Complete the following Classifying map to sort information about the bird.
Use the maps to formulate a paragraph answering the following prompt:
COPY DOWN THE FOLLOWING PROMPT:
What are the attributes or characteristics of a scarlet ibis?

13. Classifying Map Introductory sentence: ____________
_______________________________
Scarlet Ibis
Characteristics
Diet
Habitat

14. Next…
Circle two concrete details that you want to focus on in EACH column.
Cover up the last two columns and focus ONLY on the first column.
Complete the sequencing box format like practiced: (following slide).
Write the transition word above the sequencing box.
Add the details like we practiced: topic sentence, complete sentences for your two concrete details, one sentence commentary, and concluding sentence.

15. 1st body paragraph.
Topic sentence for 1st body paragraph.
To begin with, _____________________________________.
characteristics
For example, _______________________
_________________________(“Scarlet Ibis”).
Concrete Details
Also, ________________________________
_________________________(“Scarlet Ibis”).
This means __________________________
____________________________________
In conclusion, ________________________
____________________________________.

16. Now,
Format your second body paragraph; using the second column in your Classifying map; utilizing the SAME steps:
Circle the two concrete details you are going to focus on and make them into complete sentences on your map.
Write a topic sentence with the word you placed in your sequencing map.
Then, add commentary and a concluding sentence.
Then, make into a complete paragraph.

17. 2nd body paragraph. Also, _____________________________________. diet
Topic sentence for 1st body paragraph.
Also, _____________________________________.
diet
For example, _______________________
_________________________(“Scarlet Ibis”).
Concrete Details
Also, ________________________________
_________________________(“Scarlet Ibis”).
This means __________________________
____________________________________
In conclusion, ________________________
____________________________________.

18. Next,
Format your third body paragraph; using the third column in your Classifying Map; utilizing the SAME steps.

19. 3rd body paragraph. Finally, _____________________________________.
Topic sentence for 1st body paragraph.
Finally, _____________________________________.
Habitat
For example, _______________________
_________________________(“Scarlet Ibis”).
Concrete Details
Also, ________________________________
_________________________(“Scarlet Ibis”).
This means __________________________
____________________________________
In conclusion, ________________________
____________________________________.

20. Finally, Put your introductory sentence, (indent and use black ink),
1st body paragraph (indent and use blue ink for topic and concluding sentence, red for concrete details, green for commentary)
2nd body paragraph (indent and use blue ink for topic and concluding sentence, red for concrete details, green for commentary)
3rd body paragraph (indent and use blue ink for topic and concluding sentence, red for concrete details, green for commentary)
Include title:
Good title: “Interesting Facts of the Scarlet Ibis”
Bad title: “Essay”
Example on following slide:

21. Put it all together: * Note: my example is missing the 3rd body paragraph; but it is color coded the SAME way.
Title
The black rhino is an interesting mammal that is different from other mammals.
To begin with, the black rhinoceros’ habitat is different from a lot of animals. For example, they mostly live in South Africa . Also, the black rhino mostly lives in areas that have thick, woody plants and trees (“Rhinoceros”). This means that the rhino, is equipped to live in a hot environment and likes to eat plants. In conclusion, the black rhino is different from other animals, who prefer colder areas and like to eat meat.
Also, the black rhinoceros has distinguishing characteristics that set it apart from other mammals. For example, they have two horns on their snouts. Also, the black rhino has a thick, hairless hide (“Rhinoceros”). This means that the rhino has features that the other mammals don’t. In conclusion, the black rhino is an original-looking mammal who’s looks make it stand out.
Thesis of introductory paragraph.
1st body paragraph:
2nd body paragraph: