Introduction to Expository Writing

Mrs. HendersonLake Travis High SchoolFrom Writing with Power

Definition: presents information or offers an

explanation Analytical writing - analyzes or takes apart a

subject Example – A newspapers sportswriter reviews

the highlights of a local team’s championship season

Example – A student writes a report about the importance of studying to help improve grades

What is Expository Writing?

Introduction – captures the attention of the

reader using a rhetorical question, an interesting fact or statistic, an anecdote, etc.; include a thesis that introduces the topic or issue

Body Paragraphs – Break down parts of the topic, provide facts or quotes to support the ideas, and provide explanations or interpret facts/quotes

Conclusion – rephrase thesis, includes another rhetorical question, interesting fact, anecdote, etc. to conclude/wrap up ideas presented

Parts of an Expository Essay

Once you know your topic, gather information

so you can clearly explain it to your reader. Use brainstorming, freewriting, or researching to find details.

Type of Details Used in Expository Writing

Gathering Information

Facts and examples

Analogies Similarities

Reasons Incidents Differences

Steps in a process Definitions Causes and effects

As you gather information, a main idea for your

essay will begin to emerge, which will develop into your thesis statement.

Steps for developing a thesis: Look over the information you have gathered. Express the main idea you plan to convey. Select the details you will use to support your

main idea. Check that the thesis takes into account all of the

information you selected to include in your essay.

Developing a Thesis

To decide which ideas and details to include in

your essay, evaluate the information for relevance by asking yourself the following questions: Is it appropriate for my purpose in writing? Does it relate directly to my thesis? Will it help me support or prove my thesis?

Evaluating Information for

Relevance

Types of Order

Organizing Your Essay

Chronological Order

Information is presented in the order in which it occurred

Spatial Order Information is given according to location

Order of Importance Information is given in order of importance, interest, size, or degree

Developmental Order

Information of equal importance is arranged to lead up to a conclusion

Comparison/Contrast

Information is arranged to point out similarities and differences

Use Roman numerals for topics Use capital letters for subtopics and indent

them under the topic Use numbers for supporting points and indent

them under the subtopic. If you use supporting points, include at least two of them.

Use lowercase letters for any other details and indent them under the supporting points to which they refer. If you use supporting details, include at least two of them.

Making an Outline

I. Main Topic

A. Subtopic1. Supporting point2. Supporting Point

B. Subtopic1. Supporting point2. Supporting Point

II. Main TopicA. Subtopic

1. Supporting point2. Supporting Point

B. Subtopic1. Supporting point2. Supporting Point

Example of an Outline

Provide an attention-getter

Anecdote Background information Example Startling statistic about topic Quote an expert

Include a thesis statement – makes the main idea of the essay clear to readers; covers all main ideas included in essay

Introduction

Topic Sentence – statement about a topic related to

thesis stated as something true/factual (no opinions) Supporting Information – examples or facts supporting

the topic sentence Explanation – explains the examples or facts to show

their relevance to the topic Example: Friends are the most important relationships

contributing to youth happiness. In a recent poll, 80% of youth expressed that friendship was important to them. This overwhelming number shows that most young people feel that having people close to them, such as friends, directly affects how they feel. Happiness is directly linked to the people who surround a person.

Body Paragraphs

Summarize the body of the essay. Restate the thesis in new words. Draw a conclusion based on the body of the

essay. Write a memorable clincher sentence (use the

same strategies as the attention-getter).

Conclusion

Think of an appropriate title. A good title suggests the main idea of your

essay and capture the attention of your audience.

Drafting a Title

Elaborating Add supporting details such as facts,

examples, and incidents to boost the development of your ideas

Deleting Cut out needless words and phrases and ideas that do not relate to your thesis statement or are repetitive

Substituting If a word is overused or overly general, substitute a fresher, more specific and vivid word

Rearranging If a better organizational structure occurs to you, rearrange the parts of your composition, redoing or adding transitions as needed. If you need more sentence variety, rearrange the parts of the sentence so your sentences have a variety of beginnings.

Revision Strategies