1. The Expository Essay

2. What is an expository essay? An expository essay explains, or acquaints the reader with knowledge about the topic. Expository essays use facts and statistical information, cause and effect relationships, or examples.

3. What is an expository essay? Since expository essays are factual, they are written without emotion and usually written in the third person. That means that the use of the pronoun "I" is not usually found within the essay.

4. Expository essays also have a distinct format. The main idea (thesis statement) must be narrow enough to be supported within the essay. Each supporting paragraph must have a main supporting idea and all other sentences must relate directly to it. Transition words or phrases are important as they help the flow and reinforce the logic.

5. Expository essays also have a distinct format. Finally, the conclusion paragraph should originally restate the main idea (thesis) and the main supporting ideas. Finish with the a statement that reinforces your position in a meaningful and memorable way. Never introduce new material in the conclusion.

6. Element 1: Organization When you organize an essay it needs to follow a logical sequence. Novel: beginning of the book, middle of the book, end of the book. 2/3/1: 2 nd best idea, 3 rd best idea, best idea. Directions: 1 st step, 2 nd step, 3 rd step.

7. Organization Example Topic: Bicycle Safety Rules Idea 1: Wear a Helmet -every time you ride. -fasten correctly. Idea 2: Stop and Look -at every corner -near alleys/driveways Idea 3: Bike in Safe Areas -with a friend/adult -during the day.

8. Element 2: Topic Sentences, Thesis Statements, and Subtopic are the Heart Thesis: a statement discussing the topic of your paper. Subtopics: the main ideas that support your thesis. Topic Sentences: a statement that discusses the topic of each paragraph.

9. Thesis Although my family and I have taken many vacations, none was more exciting than a trip to the Grand Canyon.

10. Subtopics The Grand Canyon was a great place to visit because of the spectacular views, the challenging hike to the top, and the time we had to bond as a family.

11. Topic Sentence The Grand Canyon offered spectacular views like I had never seen before.

12. Element 3: Transitions Like shifting from one gear to the next in a car, a transition shifts from one paragraph to the next. It is the glue of an essay.

13. Transition Example Paragraph One: This task can become easier and more rewarding when students use two comprehension categories, such as surveying textbooks or tellbacks. Transition: One powerful strategy is a chapter study guide to help you review textbooks.

14. Element 4: Evidence and Examples Your evidence is the meat of the essay. You need to prove what you know. Remember PEE: -Point -Example/Evidence -Explanation /Elaboration

15. Evidence Example Topic Sentence: If you look carefully, you may discover unsafe conditions around the house. Evidence: Get rid of old rags, papers, trash, and chemicals. Are your hallways well lit? Make sure all bolts on doors are firmly attached.

16. Element 5: Conclusion Conclusions restate your thesis and subtopics, and remind your reader what you wrote about. Do not include any new information in your conclusion.

17. Conclusion Example Reading, remembering, and using textbook information is a challenge. Using strategies like textbook surveys, tellbacks, and journals can help your comprehension. If you work hard, the results are worth it.

18. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word:  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement (will become basis for introductory paragraph)  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________

19. 2006 TN Expository Prompt Writing Situation: Everyone enjoys receiving a gift. What is the best gift you ever received? Why was it so special? Directions for Writing: Now explain in an essay what your favorite gift was and why it was so special. Support your reasons with examples and details

20. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word:  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

21. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, the puppy became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word:  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

22. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, the puppy became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

23. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, the puppy became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

24. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, the puppy became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

25. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

26. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

27. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  __________________________ __________________________ Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

28. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Transition Word:

29. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

30. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  _______________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

31. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  _______________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

32. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________ Conclusion: (Complete sentence) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

33. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________

34. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  __________________________ __________________________  __________________________ __________________________

35. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  watchdog  __________________________ __________________________

36. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  watchdog  lesson in responsibility

37. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: For instance, Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  watchdog  lesson in responsibility

38. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: For instance, Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Eventually, Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  watchdog  lesson in responsibility

39. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: For instance, Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Truly, Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Eventuall y Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word:  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  watchdog  lesson in responsibility

40. Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Being an only child, Mac became a welcomed companion. Transition Word: For instance, Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) Mac has taught me about responsibility. Transition Word: Truly Supporting reason or idea 1: (Complete Sentence) As the Mac grew up, he became a fierce watchdog. Transition Word: Eventuall y Conclusion: (Complete sentence) Max is the most valuable gift I have ever received. Transition Word: All in all,  Comforts me when I am sad  Play together  Sleeps in my room  Guards the house when we are away  Protects me from other dogs  Warns me of approaching strangers. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.  Fed and bathed Max  Took Max for walks  Made sure Max had his shots  companion  watchdog  lesson in responsibility

41. Developing the introductory paragraph. Use a HOOK to engage the reader: - a quote: “a dream is a wish your heart makes.” I had always dreamt of having a dog - a question: “Is your best friend a human? Mine is a dog.” - etc. Topic sentence or thesis statement : The best gift I ever received was a puppy named Mac, given to me by my grandmother for my 8 th birthday.

42. Developing the introductory paragraph. There’s an old saying, “Dog is man’s best friend.” On my eighth birthday my grandmother gave me the gift of a best friend, my first puppy, Mac. It was the most wonderful outstanding gift I have ever received. Check out thesaurus.com !thesaurus.com

43. The concluding paragraph The concluding paragraph: Restates the main idea or thesis Summarizes the supporting ideas Ends with a punch!

44. The concluding paragraph All in all, I would have to a say that Mac is the best gift I have ever received. He has become a trusted friend, he is a ferocious watchdog, and through Mac, I have learned the meaning of responsibility. As the saying goes, Mac is the “gift that keeps on giving.”