Expository Writing

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Expository Writing
Ms. Wile 6th Grade Language Arts
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What is Expository Writing?

• Writing intended to inform the reader.
• Writing that explains, describes, gives
  information, informs or defines.
• Writing that answers the questions
• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
• How?

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When to Use Expository Writing?

• When you want to
• Tell what happened when
• Write a report on
• Explain how to
• Describe how to

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Forms of Expository Writing

• Non fiction Books
• Textbooks
• Manuals
• Pamphlets
• Magazines
• Journals
• Letters
• Definitions
• Research papers

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Characteristics of Good Expository Writing

• Focus on main topic.
• Use logical, supporting facts.
• Give sufficient details, explanations, and
  examples.
• Make sure your ideas are clear and precise.
• Use smooth transitions.

• Use words that clearly show what you are talking
  about.
• Do not assume your reader has prior knowledge of
  the topic.
• Present ideas in a logical order.
• Use strong organization.

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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 man to
  get back to the interstate highway from your
  neighborhood.
• Tell how to make a hamburger.

YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT EXPLAIN
or TELL HOW.
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Lets prepare to write an essay!

• Heres the prompt.
• There are many good and bad things about being in
  the sixth grade. Explain what these things are.

What kind of prompt do we have?
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Expository Organizational Chart Pre-Writing
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This is an important step! Dont try to write
your paper without doing an outline first.Why?!

• You will be graded on organization.

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Introductions for expository essays should.

• Grab the readers attention and include a thesis
  statement
• Thesis statement Presents the central idea of an
  essay.
• AQQS
• Anecdote
• Question
• Quote
• Statement of Intrigue

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Introduction
Have you ever thought about what are the good
and the bad things in sixth grade? There are good
things like changing classes and more freedom.
Some of the bad things are you have to stay in
school longer, you have SAT tests, and tests get
harder. Stay with me as I explain the good and
bad things about being in the seventh grade.
How does the writer grab your attention?
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Lets start on the body.

• Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence
• The topic sentence explains the main idea of a
  paragraph and states or explains points related
  to the thesis.

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First I will tell you about the good and fun
things about being in the sixth grade.You get to
change classes so if one teacher is like Mrs.
Trunchbull in Matilda, you are only with her for
part of the day. If your teacher is like Ms.
Honey you will enjoy a fabulous time with her.
Another thing I enjoy is more freedom. We dont
have to walk in straight lines as if we were
soldiers marching off to war. Next, you can get
your own food instead of having the lunch ladies
get it for you. I like spending time with my
friends so if there are not in one of my classes,
I can see them at lunch.
Transition words help!
Does he explain, give examples, use figurative
language?
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Next Im writing about the bad things you go
through in sixth grade. First of all you have to
take the SAT test. In elementary school you
didnt have to worry about this kind of thing.
The SAT test is like eating stale food because it
can hurt you and it can be boring. The tests get
harder as you go on. We have so many of them
they can cause major stress and make you feel
like your stomach was just pulled out. At my
elementary school we got out fifteen minutes
earlier. Sitting in math class for those extra
minutes makes me feel terrible inside.

• Did you find the transitions? What are the key
  ideas? How does he explain his key ideas?

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Finally my next category is going to be things
that come good and bad. First field trips are
extremely fun because you can talk and miss
school. However its bad if you go somewhere
boring or cant sit with your friend. Everybody
loves P.E. because we play real sports with
competitiveness. But sadly when were leaving PE,
my clothes get sweaty which doesnt feel good.
Everybody knows the pluses and minuses of
Homework! We have so much homework it just takes
the energy out of you, which is bad. What is good
about it is that the more homework you have, the
better chance you have to pull up your grade.
Did you find the transitions? What are the key
ideas? How does he explain his key ideas?
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In conclusion the sixth grade has good and bad
things involved. Such as more freedom, and
changing classes. Some other things are SAT test,
going to school longer, and quizzes and tests.
Homework, P.E., and field trips fall into both
of those categories.
What are your transitions? Does the writer sum up
what he written? Does he refer back to the
introduction?
This paragraph was from an actual essay written
by a student for the state writing assessment.
His organization gave him a four.
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Can you tell which passage is narrative and which
is expository?

• Marty and I jumped to our feet. Ohhhh. I heard
  Marty let out a frightened moan.
• I started to back away. I thought maybe I could
  scramble out the other side of the car.
• But the snarling, growling monsters came at us
  from both sides. L-leave us alone. I stammered.
• A monster covered in tangled brown fur opened

• After Christopher Columbuss voyages to the New
  World, many Spaniards came to this continent to
  explore. One Spanish explorer was Ponce De Leon.
  He traveled through present-day Florida to find
  the Fountain of Youth. A second explorer,
  Coronado searched for the Seven Cities of Gold.
  He and his men traveled

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Summary

• Identify your prompt
• Plan your work with an 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 figurative language.
• Finished? Reread reread to improve and
  clarify.