1. Hooks, Transitions, Conclusions
Expository Writing
Hooks, Transitions, Conclusions

2. What is Expository Writing?
Provides an explanation of a specific topic.
Gives facts, reasons, explanations, or examples with supporting details about the topic.
Should always include a main idea, logical reasons, sufficient supporting details, and a conclusion.

3. Text Structure
The framework of a texts’ beginning (introduction), middle (body paragraphs), & ending (conclusion).
Introductions and conclusions help link the text into a coherent whole. Intro has strong thesis & tells the audience what to expect. Concl restates thesis and summarizes body paragraphs.

4. Introduction: Hooking Your Audience
Lead or Hook
Orients the reader to the purpose of the writing by introducing topic, thesis, or argument
Use techniques such as dialogue, flashback, description, inner thoughts, and jumping right into the action
Thesis: main point or focus of your writing (Subject + Opinion)

5. What’s in the Middle?
Sequence: uses time or spatial order as organizing structure
Description: used to describe the characteristics of a specific subject
Cause and Effect: used to show causal relationships between events
Comparison and Contrast: used to explain how two or more objects are similar or different
Problem and Solution: requires writers to state a problem and come up with a solution

6. Endings: Beyond “Happily Ever After”
Signals the end
Restate the Thesis
Leaves the reader with something important to remember
DO NOT introduce new information
Forecast the future
Call for Action
Discuss implications
DO NOT use the transition, “In conclusion…”

7. Transition Words There are six categories of transition words:
Spatial order. Words used in descriptive writing to signal spatial relationships, such as above, below, beside, nearby, beyond, inside, and outside.
Time order. Words used in writing narratives, and instructions to signal chronological sequence, such as before, after, first, next, then, when, finally, while, as, during, earlier, later, and meanwhile.
Numerical order. Words used in expository writing to signal order of importance, such as first, second, also, finally, in addition, equally important, and more or less importantly.

8. Transition Words (cont.)
Cause/effect order. Words used in expository writing to signal causal relationships, such as because, since, for, so, as a result, consequently, thus, and hence.
Comparison/contrast order. Words used in expository writing to signal similarities and differences, such as (for similarities) also, additionally, just as, as if, as though, like, and similarly; and (for differences) but, yet, only, although, whereas, in contrast, conversely, however, on the other hand, rather, instead, in spite of, and nevertheless.
General/specific order. Words used in descriptive reports and arguments to signal more specific elaboration on an idea, such as for example, such as, like, namely, for instance, that is, in fact, in other words, and indeed.

9. Organizing Your Writing
BE SURE TO ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ESSAY:
Does your piece have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
Does your piece have a strong beginning that hooks the reader?
Does your piece have a strong ending that fits the focus?
Are the ideas and actions connected to each other?
Can your reader follow the piece logically from beginning to end?
Is it complete? Does it feel finished?

10. MLA Format MLA (Modern Language Association) MLA regulates:
Document format
In-text citations
Works cited (a list of all sources used in a paper)
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11. MLA (cont.) 2009-7th edition updates include:
No more underlining (only use italics)
Inclusion of the publication medium (e.g. Print, Web, etc.)
New abbreviations (e.g. “N.p.” for “no publisher given”)
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12. MLA Paper Should… Be typed on white 8.5” by 11” paper
Double-space everything
Use 12-point font in Times New Roman
Leave only once space between punctuation
Set all margins to 1” on all sides
Indent the first line of paragraphs
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13. MLA Paper Should…
Have a header with page numbers in the upper right-hand corner (Last Name 1)
Use italics for titles
Works Cited page on separate page
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14. Formatting the 1st Page The 1st page on a MLA Style paper will:
Have no title page
Double space everything
List your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date in the upper left-hand corner
Center the paper title (use standard caps, but no underlining, italics, quote marks, or bold typefaced)
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15. In-Text Citation: The Basics
Within the text MLA uses parenthetical citations:
The format of parenthetical citations depends upon the medium (e.g. Print, Web, DVD, etc.)
Parenthetical citations also depend upon the source’s entry in the Works Cited page (the signal word in the text is the first thing in the corresponding Works Cited source)
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16. In-Text Examples Author-Page
Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).
Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).
Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).
Works Cited Reference: Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. London: Oxford UP, Print.
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17. Need Help With MLA Format?
Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab provides free updated and accurate MLA formatting guidelines and examples.
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18. Work Cited
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, Web. 12 Nov. 2015