Choose one of the topics below that you know well or for which you can find information. You could also use these ideas to help you brainstorm your own topics. Then write an expository essay that informs readers about the topic. Include a chart, a diagram, or an illustration, where helpful.

• Tell about one small insect that plays a big role in our world.

• Explain how animals are affected when their habitat is destroyed by the building of homes and highways, the cutting down of forests, and pollution or climate change.

• Write about a favorite season and why you enjoy it.

• Tell readers how an animal that once lived on our planet became extinct.

• Inform readers about how a historical building in your town has been used over the years.

• Tell about an unusual or a culturally important holiday that your family celebrates.

• Write about one land or sea animal’s amazing trait, ability, or behavior.

• Tell about one year or event to which you would like to travel back in time.

• Inform readers about the person you admire the most in the world.

• Tell about a local, national, or international current event.

• Explain what your favorite activity or hobby is.• Write about the items you would place in a time

capsule to be opened 100 years from now.• Tell about ways to help the homeless or elderly

in your community.• Inform readers about an event in history that

interests you.

Writing Traits for Expository WritingAsk yourself these questions throughout the writing process.

Ideas Does my writing have a clear focus on one topic?Do I answer the questions who, what, when, where, and why about the topic?

Organization Am I planning my writing by organizing facts and details in a graphic organizer, a list, an outline, or notes?Is my introduction interesting, and does it express my main idea about the topic?Do my body paragraphs explain and support the main idea with facts, details, and definitions?Does my conclusion restate the main idea and summarize the supporting details?

Voice Is my writing voice confident?Do I state facts instead of expressing my opinions and emotions?

Word Choice Do I define words that readers may not know about my topic?Do I use formal language? Is my tone neutral?

Sentence Fluency

Do I use a variety of sentence types and lengths?Are my sentences concise?Do I use linking words and phrases to show how ideas are connected?

Conventions Do I use correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation?

Presentation Do I include a drawing, photo, or chart when helpful to explain details?Is my writing neat or typed and easy to read?Does the paper have consistent margins and spacing?

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Expository Writing©

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