Expository Writing Mrs. Swiggett 8th Grade Language Arts

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Expository Writing

• Mrs. Swiggett
• 8th Grade Language Arts
• Crystal River Middle School

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Parts of an Expository Essay

• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs
• Conclusion

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No-nos for Expository Writing

• Do not use the word reason(s) in any part of
  the essay.
• Do not use the word you.
• Do not piggyback words (repeatedly using the
  same word throughout the essay).

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Introduction Paragraphs

• The first paragraph of an essay is called the
  introduction.
• The introduction should funnel ideas from
  general/broad to specific/narrow.
• The introduction should be at least three
  sentences in length.
• The last sentence in the introduction should be
  the topic (the general issue/item being
  addressed) and position (the writers opinion on
  the topic) sentence.
• Under no circumstance should there be reasons to
  support your opinion in the introduction!

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Introduction Paragraph Example

• Throughout my life I have met many people that
  everyone seemed to admire. There was my high
  school football coach, my college English
  professor and even my cousin Steve. However, the
  most well liked person I have ever met is my
  close friend Pastor Ottis.

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Introduction Paragraph Example

• Throughout my life I have met many people that
  everyone seemed to admire.

There was my high school football coach, my
college English professor and even my cousin
Steve.
However, the most well liked person I have ever
met is my close friend Pastor Ottis.
Topic/Position Sentence
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Body Paragraphs

• Body paragraphs are the meat of any essay.
• The body paragraphs are where supporting
  details/reasons belong.
• In timed writing, there should only be two body
  paragraphs.

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Body Paragraphs

• Body paragraphs include each of the following
  four elements
• Transitions
• Statements
• One time whens (OTW)/anecdotes
• Thesis tie-in

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Body Paragraphs

• Transitions These words/phrases help writing
  flow and connect ideas together.
• Use the following transitions
• To begin with, (body paragraph 1)
• Furthermore, (body paragraph 2)
• Statements These are the topic sentences of body
  paragraphs.
• Statements let the reader know what each body
  paragraph will be explaining.
• Statements must be very specific. The more
  specific the statement, the easier it is to
  support.

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Body Paragraphs

• One time whens (OTW)/anecdotes These are little
  personal stories told to illustrate a point being
  made.
• Thesis tie-in This is a sentence that ties a
  body paragraph back to the topic and position
  sentence in the introduction.
• These are the most difficult and most easily
  forgotten component of a body paragraph.
• Without a thesis tie-in, writing is off task.

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Body Paragraph Example

• To begin with, Pastor Ottis is extremely
  friendly. I remember the first time that I met
  him. My wife and I had just moved here from New
  York and we didnt have many friends yet. We were
  standing around in the parking lot after church
  hoping someone would come and say hi when he
  approached us. Hello, he belted out as he
  smiled and introduced himself. He shook hands
  with my wife Chris and then gave a little hug to
  each of my children. I remember feeling the
  weight lift off my shoulders as we finally made a
  new friend in Florida. I know many other people
  who have had a similar experience with Pastor
  Ottis. He is constantly going out of his way to
  meet new people and welcome them with his
  friendly smile. Its no wonder so many people
  have such high regard for him.

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Body Paragraph Example

• Identify the body paragraph components in this
  example.
• Furthermore, Pastor Ottis is the most excellent
  listener I have ever known. One time when I
  became really discouraged over a misunderstanding
  at work, Ottis offered to come over to my house
  and discuss the situation with me. After he
  arrived he sat on the couch and like a sponge he
  soaked up every word I said. I recall being
  impressed with his genuine concern for my
  dilemma. Instead of rushing me and cutting me off
  when I was talking, he gave me all the time I
  needed to articulate the peculiar predicament I
  had found myself in. When he finally did speak,
  he encouraged me significantly and the key points
  that he brought up told me that he had heard
  every word I said. I have found very few people
  who will give others that kind of attention when
  they need it. I think thats why he is so well
  liked.

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Body Paragraph Example

• Furthermore, Pastor Ottis is the most excellent
  listener I have ever known. One time when I
  became really discouraged over a misunderstanding
  at work, Ottis offered to come over to my house
  and discuss the situation with me. After he
  arrived he sat on the couch and like a sponge he
  soaked up every word I said. I recall being
  impressed with his genuine concern for my
  dilemma. Instead of rushing me and cutting me off
  when I was talking, he gave me all the time I
  needed to articulate the peculiar predicament I
  had found myself in. When he finally did speak,
  he encouraged me significantly and the key points
  that he brought up told me that he had heard
  every word I said. I have found very few people
  who will give others that kind of attention when
  they need it. I think thats why he is so well
  liked.

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Conclusion Paragraph

• The conclusion paragraph wraps up the essay
  briefly.
• The conclusion should quickly sum up the point of
  view and lightly brush upon the support
  (reiterating the statements in the body
  paragraphs).
• The conclusion starts with a transition
  (ultimately,) and restates the topic and position
  similar to a thesis tie-in.
• An extra sentence or two added after the
  reiteration of support adds voice (spice it up).

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Conclusion Paragraph Example

• Ultimately, it is worth reiterating that Pastor
  Ottis is an outstanding listener and an unusually
  friendly person. Its simple to see why everyone
  who meets him finds him such an easy person to
  look up to.

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Planning Web
Introduction
Topic
Position
Body 2

• Body 1

Conclusion
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Planning Web
Introduction
Topic and Position
Body 2

• Body 1

OTW
OTW
Second Supporting Reason
First Supporting Reason
(Support)
Restate topic, position, and supporting reasons
Conclusion
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Planning Web
Introduction
Well liked person
Pastor Ottis
Body 2

• Body 1

First time meeting at church
Listening about work trouble
Best Listener
Extremely Friendly
Friendly best listener
Conclusion
Most Liked Pastor Ottis