EXPOSITORY WRITING

DEFINITION OF EXPOSITORY: “SERVING TO EXPOUND, SET FORTH, OR EXPLAIN”

Expository Writing: writing with a purpose to explain a topic or idea

If this is the definition of expository, what do you think the definition of expository writing will be?

Organizational Styles1. Compare/Contrast

Definition: explain how 2+ more things are

alike/ different

Example: Explain the types of changes a student may undergo from middle school to high school.

As a writer you would have to explain what the student was like before (in middle school) and what student was like after (in high school).

Organizational Styles2. Cause/Effect

Definition:- identifies one or more causes and the

resulting effects

Example: Explain the importance of being involved in your community.

As a writer you would have to explain what are different things that would cause you to become involved in the community and what the effects of your involvement would be (could be for yourself or for the community as a whole)

Organizational Styles3. Definition

Definition:- describes characteristics or features of something

Example: Explain what it means to be a productive citizen.As a writer you would have to explain what are the characteristics that make a person an involved and productive citizen.

“Two Ways of Seeing a River”

Page 479 in Models for Writers

Text Comprehension ChartWhat is the purpose of this chart?

Before you can skillfully craft your own essays, we need to look out how professional writers structure their ideas. Why do they

put things in a certain order?

What do we want to learn from this?What organizational style does this essay follow?

How does the organizational style impact the presentation of the ideas?

What is the main idea of this essay?How can I write a thesis for this essay following the main idea?

“Two Ways of Seeing a River”

As we read the poem by Walt Whitman, we will be thinking about the following:

1. How does it follow the same organizational style as Mark Twain’s essays?

2. How does it connect in theme to Mark Twain’s essay?

Important New Terms:1. Tone: an author’s attitude about

a topic (will be an adjective)2. Theme: the main lesson of a

piece

“When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” Walt Whitman

Organizing your own compare/contrast essay

Thesis Statements A thesis statement is crucial to writing a

strong essay. Without a thesis your reader will not understand the purpose of your writing.A single sentence that expresses what you want your readers to understand; the controlling idea of your essay and road map for your paper

Last sentence of your introduction

Organizing your own compare/contrast essay

Thesis Statements What does a thesis look like?

Main idea of paper + transition word + topics/reasons of paper.

Examples:Prompt: Explain the types of a student may undergo from middle school to high school.

Many students undergo changes from middle school to high school such as becoming more responsible and feeling more stress.

Prompt: Explain the importance of being involved in your community.Being involved in the community is important because it helps people stay connected and gives people pride in their community.

How do I prove my claims?

EvidenceJust like a lawyer wouldn’t go to court without evidence,

you can’t write a paper without something to prove that your ideas are true!

Body Paragraph Organization

Body paragraphs should follow this basic outline:

1.) Topic Sentence – shows the main idea of the paragraph

2.) Concrete Detail (evidence) – facts/data, quotes, examples

3.) Commentary (analysis) – your analysis, explanation, or interpretation of your CD.

4.) Concluding/Transition Sentence – wraps up the main idea of the paragraph, or leads the reader into the idea of the next paragraph

Hmmm, look a little familiar to something we just discussed?