What do you think? Why do you think it? The expository Essay What do you think? Why do you think it?

Why does writing matter? You are judged based on your ability to communicate clearly. Right now: The words you say- friends, family, strangers, teachers The words you type- social media, texts The words you write- grades In the future: The words you write- grades, applications, resumes, emails, texts, tweets, etc.

Writing is the skill of communicating without your presence Writing is the skill of communicating without your presence. Your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and world view can be known even without you if you can simply convey them through the words put down onto paper or document. Do not underestimate the power of clear written communication. This is our goal.

Expository Writing Purpose: to explain information Text structure is often: 1. Introduction -grabs reader (lead) and tells reader what the entire piece is about with a (topic sentence). 2. Body- Number of paragraphs with one distinct main idea with supporting details. The key is for author to write as many paragraphs needed to fully develop the topic. 3. Conclusion- reiterates the main idea and explains the impact or effect of the idea. May be done straight forward or implied.

Expository writing in your every day You see and write expository more than you think! These are often found in: Blogs Tweets Texts Editorials Letters Opinion articles Recipes

Expository Essay Genre Many other subgenres exist within the expository genre. While they are similar because the writer is explaining his/her thoughts, each sub-genre is a slightly different and requires different techniques. (Think about how a rectangle is a square, but a square isn’t a rectangle.)

Subgenres of the expository essay Informational essay “How To” essay Compare/Contrast Persuasive (sophomore year) Literary Analysis Literary Criticism Cause and effect essay

STAAR For the STAAR, you will write two expository essays. STAAR expository essays fall into a subgenre all its own!

STAAR Expository Essay… The expository essay requires students to clearly explain what they think about something. For this expository essay, you are just explaining WHAT you think about an issue and WHY you think it. Your essay must be 27 lines or less in length.

Here is a sample EXPOSITORY PROMPT Read the information in the box below. Jane Austen (1775–1817) and Franz Kafka (1883–1924) are considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them, however, received much recognition while they were alive. Should people do things only to be recognized? Think carefully about this question. Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Be sure to — clearly state your thesis organize and develop your ideas effectively choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

Expository Prompt Notice on the prompt how you were first asked to Read some information, then you are asked to Think about something, then you are asked to Write an essay. The “Write” part is what your essay should be about- THE ACTUAL PROMPT. The Read and Think parts are just to get you thinking about the topic (in this case, the topics are recognition and accomplishment)

Highlight or star the actual prompt on your paper.

Prompt: Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.

Circle key words in the PROMPT Read the information in the box below. Jane Austen (1775–1817) and Franz Kafka (1883–1924) are considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them, however, received much recognition while they were alive. Should people do things only to be recognized? Think carefully about this question. Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Be sure to — clearly state your thesis organize and develop your ideas effectively choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

Introduction Your first paragraph should introduce the idea of the prompt. This paragraph should also include your thesis statement. In the STAAR, your introduction should take up no more than 5 or 6 lines.

Body- Illustrations (examples to explain your thesis) Your body should consist of 1-3 paragraphs. This should take up most your essay. Use one or two examples to help explain your reasoning.

Illustrations- HELP Types of Illustrations (examples): History- What have you learned in history class that could explain why you believe that position? Experience- What examples from your own life explain why you believe that position? Literature- What examples can you use from stories? Pop Culture- Are there any athletes or celebrities that explain why you believe that position?

Conclusion paragraph Your last paragraph should explain the impact or effect of what you’re trying to say. You want to use this as an opportunity to clearly connect your essay back to your thesis without simply restating your thesis.

PRACTICE

Expository Writing – THE THESIS The first thing you need is a THESIS. A thesis is your “answer” to the prompt and says what you think about the issue. To write your thesis, identify the key ideas in the prompt and make sure to say what you think about those ideas in your thesis. Go back to the prompt and circle key words that are vital to understanding the idea of the prompt.

THESIS Thesis= Point + “because” + reason (why do you think that?)

Expository Writing Your thesis should be located AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR ESSAY in your introduction.

Thesis statements: Must Have It! Answers the prompt- You must actually answer the prompt given you. Don’t write about your date last night if the prompt is about necessary qualities in mentors. Specific- It’s not about simply answering the prompt, you must also clearly state why you choose that stand. (example: If you are writing about necessary leadership qualities, don’t say “leaders must be good people.” What is “good”? Why does that qualify them to be leaders? Avoid being vague.) Supportable- Can you give examples to support that thesis? If not, think again.

Thesis statements: Must Lose It! I think, I believe, I feel- The reader knows that you wrote it, so it is not necessary to write that you think it. It just makes the paper more wordy. Inappropriate language and situations- This is a formal paper, being scored by people you don’t know. Present yourself in an educated manner by avoiding slang and cuss words. You are trying to prove that you are capable of the expected 9th grade level of writing.

Your entire essay should support your thesis. Expository Writing JUST REMEMBER: Your entire essay should support your thesis.

Expository Writing – THE THESIS Thesis Example: Prompt: Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.

Expository Writing – THE THESIS Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Does it answer the prompt? Is it specific? Is it supportable?

Expository Writing – THE THESIS Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something. Improvements: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something because acknowledgment is simply a welcomed benefit, not a way of determining if something is actually accomplished.

Because… Adding a because statement will make your thesis much more focused and specific. Adding a because statement allows your reader to clearly understand what you’re trying to say right away! Adding a because statement will often times provide a great way to transition into your examples. Answer the prompt then add a because statement to specify your thoughts in a clear way.

Practice! Write a thesis statement for the following prompt. Be sure to respond to the prompt and add a because statement. #1 Prompt: Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.