Tackling a Writing Prompt

Writing to Inform

What is an Expository (Informational) Essay?

The expository essay requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, elaborate on the idea, and express an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner.

This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, cause and effect, etc.

What is an Expository (Informational) Essay?

• The informational version focuses on explaining an event or experience that has happened before and will almost surely happen again. It does not mean reviewing or recounting a single event. It means analyzing what a certain event entails, i.e., selecting the aspects or features of what happens when a storm strikes or a relationship develops, and explaining what such events often entail.

What is an Expository (Informational) Essay?

• Once the topic has been analyzed into its aspects, features, or parts, a writer must decide which to explain and how. For example, the writer of a “terrible storm” informational essay might decide to write about property damage, physical-body damage, and emotional damage.

• Informational writing requires a style that reflects an objective voice and attitude.

What is an Expository (Informational) Essay?

• Once content has been developed and a focus chosen, the writer must decide how to organize the details to most effectively contribute to the meaning/point of the essay.

• Examples• Least to Most Important• Most to Least Important• Chronological• Spatial• Cause and Effect• Compare and Contrast

What are the features of expository writing?

• A single writer’s voice and point of view

• A single point being being made through content organized in a way that meaningfully supports that point. (which may or may not be chronological).

• Content that has been ―sorted into categories of ideas that explain the point through specific examples, anecdotes, details, facts and additional analysis that may include further explanation

• Words, sentence structures, and literary devices that create a tone appropriate to the point

Elements of Expository Writing

Elements of Expository Writing

Elements of Expository Writing

Writing a Paragraph

The three colors of the traffic light help me remember how to write a simple paragraph. First, I use green to get me going. My topic sentence is green; it tells thereader what I am going to prove, explain, describe, or share. Next, yellow reminds me to slow down and support my topic with good reasons, interesting facts, orwell-described details. I introduce my reasons, details, or facts with transitions. Finally, I see red and it reminds me to stop. Red examples, explanations, evidence, and events bring my paragraph to life. My conclusion, of course, is green because I go back to my topic and use my last sentence to remind the reader of the topic.

Topic Sentences and Thesis Statements

Topic Sentences and Thesis Statements

Turning a Prompt into a Topic Sentence

Turning a Prompt into a Topic Sentence

What do transitions do?

Transition Examples

Using Transitions…

Using Transitions…

Using Transitions…

SomeSome

Some

moreSome

more

The E’s…

Conclusions

Conclusions

Conclusions• Restate your position.

• Remind the reader of your topic.

• Use synonyms

• Include a conclusion word• Ultimately, In effect, As a result, etc.

• Add a quotation

• Focus the conclusion• Encourage the reader to take action• Convince the reader• Challenge the reader to think about the topic

Improving Your Conclusion

Reminder: The Writing Process1. Prewrite

2. Plan

3. Draft

4. Revise

5. Edit

6. Write Final Copy

7. Proofread

8. Share and/or Publish

Prompt Writing Process

1.Prewrite / Plan

2.Write

3.Proofread

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