Expository Writing, Exams of Technical English

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Expository

Writing

What is it?, Thesis, topic sentences, supporting info., conclusion, how to organize the essay

Expository Essay Writing

 Expository —You are NOT trying to convince the reader to think a certain way or to accept a single viewpoint as valid.

 You are simply explaining a viewpoint that you believe is true.

Introduction Paragraph

 Begin with an attention-getting statement, quote, or question—the HOOK.

 Most of the time, the last sentence of your introduction is your THESIS.

 For STAAR , you must make your intro paragraph brief to leave room for thorough body paragraphs. Don’t write an extensive intro!

Thesis

 Tells what the writer believes about a topic

AND

 Lists the reasons for the belief in the order they appear in the essay

Topic Sentences

 These should be the 1 st^ sentence of

each body paragraph.

 You must specifically base

topic sentences on your thesis.

 Hint: Try to use a word (or its synonym) from your thesis statement to “glue” the topic sentence to your thesis.

Topic Sentence Examples:

 THESIS : Grandparents can offer their grandchildren two crucial lessons involving respect and unity.  Topic sentence for body paragraph 1 : G randparents can teach the youngest family members to respect and value older people.  Topic sentence for body paragraph 2 : More importantly, grandparents can teach their grandchildren to play a role in the unity and happiness of the whole family.

Supporting Info Example:

 Topic Sentence : Grandparents can teach the youngest family members to respect and value older people.

 Supporting Info : For instance, when I was younger, my grandfather would tell me stories about his time in the Vietnam War.

Conclusion

 Restate your thesis in slightly different words.

 Add an insightful closing statement if you have room left.

 For STAAR , you must make your conclusion brief to leave room for thorough body paragraphs. Don’t write an extensive conclusion!

THESIS STATEMENT (I believe that…)

Supporting Idea

Body ¶ Topic Sentence

Supporting Idea

Body ¶ Topic Sentence Body ¶ Topic Sentence

Supporting Idea

Supporting Idea

Supporting Idea

See example

and break it down:

“Summer: 15 Days or 2 ½ Months?”

“Summer”

expository

essay

Group Work:

Deconstruct the “Summer” essay

 Get into groups that I assign.

 Use the expository tree or bubble outline to re-create what could have been the original outline from which the “Summer” essay was written.  Be sure that each of you writes the outline on your own paper! You’ll want this example as a reference throughout the year as we prepare for STAAR.