1. Expository Essay Expository Essay What is an expository essay?
Definition: A type of informational text that clarifies or explains something

2. Expository Essay Elements
Clear, concise, and defined thesis statement
Clearly organized structure
Strong introduction
Specific supporting details
Strong conclusion
Purposeful and precise word choice
Varied sentence structure

3. The Process the Writing Process Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Plan and Draft Essay:
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
the
Writing
Process
EXPOSITORY ESSAY

4. Prompt Analysis Strategies for Prompt Analysis Read Once Throughout
Re-Read Sentence by Sentence – Annotating, Highlighting, Using dictionary/thesaurus
Look for key words that allude to the PURPOSE of the essay (explain, inform, describe, compare)
Look for the TOPIC and consider possible POSITIONS
Effective Prompt Analysis is needed to write an effective THESIS statement.

5. Purpose
Position
TOPIC
THESIS

6. Brainstorm General Reasons For Each
Position
TOPIC
Working by Yourself
Working with a Group
Depend only on self No slackers Develop a variety of content skills Develop independence, personal accountability
Which topic do I Choose?
Build problem- solving skills Real-World Experience Depend on different talents from group members
Share responsibilities
Brainstorm General Reasons For Each

7. The Process the Writing Process Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Plan and Draft Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
the
Writing
Process
EXPOSITORY ESSAY

8. Thesis Definition Characteristics Examples Non-examples
A statement (not question) that contains…
A specific topic and…
A well-defined position
It may contain general reasons to support the position.
It is located at the end of the introduction.
A brief statement, usually no more than 1-2 sentences, that states what a writer will explain throughout an essay.
Thesis
Examples
Non-examples
Winning is better than trying your best because your self-esteem is boosted during victory celebrations.
Because of their economic impact, Chinese labor played an important role in western railroad expansion.
The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.
I like church.
Was the football stadium worth the money?
Chinese labor is so bad.
Achieve financial, academic and spiritual success by fixing it.
In conclusion, the typical college student leads a busy life.

9. The THESIS REASONS TOPIC POSITION 1-2 General
Addresses the main points/ideas of your essays and directly responds to the essay prompt Tells the reader WHAT is being discussed and in WHAT manner/structure they will be discussed Thesis Statements include –
1-2 General
REASONS
TOPIC
POSITION

10. Thesis: Topic + Position + (1-2) General Reasons
Working with a group is better than working alone because a person can build problem-solving skills and depend on other members’ different talents.
Working by Yourself
Working with a Group
Depend only on self No slackers Develop a variety of content skills Develop independence, personal accountability
Build problem- solving skills Real-World Experience Depend on different talents from group members
Share responsibilities
Thesis: Topic + Position + (1-2) General Reasons

11. WRITE an essay explaining whether it is better to work by yourself or with a group.
Thesis: Topic plus view/position plus general reason
Example:
Working in groups is better than working alone because members are able to rely on each other’s strengths.
Non Example:
Working by yourself is better than working in a group because my team member Johnny never contributes to work in the lab.
Non Example:
Some people prefer to work on their own because they don’t like working in groups.

12. WRITE an essay explaining whether it is better to work by yourself or with a group.
Thesis: Topic plus view/position plus general reason
Example:
Working in teams is more preferable than working by yourself because it helps you build important social skills.
Example:
Working in groups is better because you get to build social skills and you can rely on different strengths from members.
Non Example:
Working in groups is better than working alone.

13. The Process the Writing Process Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Plan and Draft Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
the
Writing
Process
EXPOSITORY ESSAY

14. Plan your Draft
Use this graphic organizer to develop your essay:

15. Planning your Draft BODY PARAGRAPHS
Determine the content of your Essay (General Reasons)
Create Brief Outline, Use Graphic Organizers to allow students to formulate their SPECIFIC DETAILS to develop their general reason
Thesis: Working with a group is better than working alone because a person can build problem-solving skills and depend on other members’ different talents.
BODY PARAGRAPHS

16. The Body Reason #1 Reason #2
Topic Sentence: (Main Idea of Paragraph : Share position and REASON for position
Evidence/Details - Elaborate on FEED evidence
Analysis/Commentary – Explain how the details
provided support your position and reinforce
your reason for that position.
Evidence/Details - Elaborate on FEED evidence
Analysis/Commentary – Explain how the details provided support your position and reinforce your
reason for that position.
Reason #1
Reason #2

17. Outline Options Facts Examples Elaboration Details
I: Introduction A. Hook and Bridge B. Thesis: Working with a group is better than working alone because a person can build problem-solving skills and depend on other members’ different talents II. Building Problem-Solving Skills A. Evidence/Details: _______________________ B. Commentary: ___________________________ III. Depend on Different Talents IV. Conclusion A. Reword Thesis B. Recap
Jason and I argued about project
Facts
Examples
Elaboration
Details
Learned to compromise in group
Anxious about drawing Texas map
Relied on Henry’s talent in my group

18. Analysis/Commentary
Writing commentary means giving your opinion, interpretation, insight, analysis, explication, personal reaction, evaluation or reflection about a concrete detail in an essay.
You are “commenting on” a point you have made.
Writing commentary is higher level thinking.
Commentary is what makes an essay interesting to read and gives it depth.
Commentary requires you to think of some original things (from your brain) to say about your concrete detail.

19. On your copy find: thesis, topic sentence, evidence, analysis/commentary, & restated thesis

20. The Prompt:
Write an essay explaining the importance of being able to see a situation from another person’s point of view.
The Sample Essay:
Imagine a trial where the jury only gets to hear one side of the argument. Sounds crazy, but this is exactly what happens with humans. We pass judgment on people without considering the other side. A person should always consider other people’s points of view to avoid personal and societal problems.
Not being open to the other person’s view will lead to relationship problems. Three years ago my sister Jenna divorced, in part because her husband often did not consider her point of view. He would make decisions without consulting her about things such as where they would go on vacation or what church they would attend. Their marriage failed because he only considered his own point of view. When couples consider each other’s view point, they are happier.
On a societal scale, failure to consider another person’s point of causes dangerous prejudice. Let’s think about the homeless person, for example. I’ve even heard Uncle James claim that homeless people are lazy and unmotivated. Even one of the episodes on Criminal Minds had a serial killer murdering homeless people to cleanse society. The prejudice our society has placed on a group like the homeless prevents us from having compassion and stepping into their shoes. We definitely should not make judgments before seeing other perspectives.
Of course, it’s not always easy to see things from another person’s point of view, but when we don’t, we are risking personal relationships and perpetuating prejudices. The world would be a better place if everyone made the effort to see things from other points of view.

21. A person should always consider other people’s points of view to avoid personal and societal problems.
Not being open to the other person’s
view will lead to relationship problems.
On a societal scale, failure to consider another person’s point of causes dangerous
Of course, it’s not always easy to see things from another person’s point of view, but when we don’t, we are risking personal relationships and perpetuating prejudices.

22. The Process the Writing Process Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Plan and Draft Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
the
Writing
Process
EXPOSITORY ESSAY

23. T H E S I S
SUPPORT #2
SUPPORT #1 E E D F
Conclusion

24. Writing the Introduction
There are several ways to start the expository essay, but the introductory paragraph should have the thesis statement as the last sentence in of the introduction.
Thesis

25. Background information
Funnel Introduction
Reveals background information/general information that leads to a focus thesis.
Background information
Thesis
Hook: __________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Line: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Sinker: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Everyone has at some point been asked to work in a group, whether it’s at school or
at work, or on a sports team.
However, some people still would rather do things on their own rather
than working with a team.
Working in groups is better than working alone because it teaches people social skills.

26. Quotation Use a quotation to lead to a thesis statement
Hook: __________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Line: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Sinker: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
“Teams make strong individuals”
No matter what anyone does in life, working in groups benefits everyone.
Working in groups is better than working alone because it teaches people social skills.

27. Turnabout Starts with the opposite idea and then moves to a focus
Hook: __________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Line: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Sinker: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Some say independence teaches accountability and self discipline.
But working in teams also has its benefits.
Working in groups is better than working alone because it teaches people social skills.

28. Your Turn
Use the funnel, quotation, or turnabout strategy to write your introduction:
Hook: __________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Line: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Sinker: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

29. The Process the Writing Process Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Plan and Draft Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
the
Writing
Process
EXPOSITORY ESSAY

30. T H E S I S
SUPPORT #2
SUPPORT #1 E E D F
Conclusion

31. The Conclusion THESIS SO WHAT? YOUR TURN restated 2-3 Sentences
Restate/Reword your thesis (topic, position, and general reason)
After your restated thesis you can -
Summarize your points
Make your topic relevant to reader
Connect to Hook
restated
THESIS
2-3 Sentences
YOUR TURN
SO WHAT?

32. The Process the Writing Process Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Draft Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
the
Writing
Process
EXPOSITORY ESSAY

33. The Process Effective Essays Analyze Prompt
Brainstorm Position/ Topic/Reasons
Write Thesis
Draft Essay: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Revise Essay
Edit Essay
Write Final Draft
Effective
Essays
EXPOSITORY ESSAY