Expository Writing

Expository Writing Ms. Wile 6th Grade Language Arts

What is Expository Writing? • Writing intended to inform the reader. • Writing that explains, describes, gives information, informs or defines. • Writing that answers the questions: • Who? • What? • Where? • When? • Why? • How?

When to Use Expository Writing? • When you want to: • Tell what happened when… • Write a report on… • Explain how to… • Describe how to…

Forms of Expository Writing • Non fiction Books • Textbooks • Manuals • Pamphlets • Magazines • Journals • Letters • Definitions • Research papers

Characteristics of Good Expository Writing • Focus on main topic. • Use logical, supporting facts. • Give sufficient details, explanations, and examples. • Make sure your ideas are clear and precise. • Use smooth transitions. • Use words that clearly show what you are talking about. • Do not assume your reader has prior knowledge of the topic. • Present ideas in a logical order. • Use strong organization.

What are the key words that show it is an expository prompt? • Most people enjoy some type of music. Think about your favorite type of music and explain why you like that particular type of music. • Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at times. Explain how you would direct a lost man to get back to the interstate highway from your neighborhood. • Tell how to make a hamburger. YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.

Let’s prepare to write an essay! Here’s the prompt. There are many good and bad things about being in the sixth grade. Explain what these things are. What kind of prompt do we have?

Expository Organizational Chart *Pre-Writing*

This is an important step! Don’t try to write your paper without doing an outline first.Why?! • You will be graded on organization.

Introductions for expository essays should…. • Grab the reader’s attention and include a thesis statement • Thesis statement: Presents the central idea of an essay. • AQQS • Anecdote • Question • Quote • Statement of Intrigue

Introduction Have you ever thought about what are the good and the bad things in sixth grade? There are good things like changing classes and more freedom. Some of the bad things are you have to stay in school longer, you have SAT tests, and tests get harder. Stay with me as I explain the good and bad things about being in the seventh grade. How does the writer grab your attention?

Let’s start on the body. • Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence • The topic sentence explains the main idea of a paragraph and states or explains points related to the thesis.

First I will tell you about the good and fun things about being in the sixth grade.You get to change classes so if one teacher is like Mrs. Trunchbull in Matilda, you are only with her for part of the day. If your teacher is like Ms. Honey you will enjoy a fabulous time with her. Another thing I enjoy is more freedom. We don’t have to walk in straight lines as if we were soldiers marching off to war. Next, you can get your own food instead of having the lunch ladies get it for you. I like spending time with my friends so if there are not in one of my classes, I can see them at lunch. Transition words help! Does he explain, give examples, use figurative language?

Did you find the transitions? What are the key ideas? How does he explain his key ideas? Next I’m writing about the bad things you go through in sixth grade. First of all you have to take the SAT test. In elementary school you didn’t have to worry about this kind of thing. The SAT test is like eating stale food because it can hurt you and it can be boring. The tests get harder as you go on. We have so many of them they can cause major stress and make you feel like your stomach was just pulled out. At my elementary school we got out fifteen minutes earlier. Sitting in math class for those extra minutes makes me feel terrible inside.

Finally my next category is going to be things that come good and bad. First field trips are extremely fun because you can talk and miss school. However it’s bad if you go somewhere boring or can’t sit with your friend. Everybody loves P.E. because we play real sports with competitiveness. But sadly when we’re leaving PE, my clothes get sweaty which doesn’t feel good. Everybody knows the pluses and minuses of Homework! We have so much homework it just takes the energy out of you, which is bad. What is good about it is that the more homework you have, the better chance you have to pull up your grade. Did you find the transitions? What are the key ideas? How does he explain his key ideas?

In conclusion the sixth grade has good and bad things involved. Such as more freedom, and changing classes. Some other things are SAT test, going to school longer, and quizzes and tests. Homework, P.E., and field trips fall into both of those categories. What are your transitions? Does the writer sum up what he written? Does he refer back to the introduction? This paragraph was from an actual essay written by a student for the state writing assessment. His organization gave him a four.

Marty and I jumped to our feet. “Ohhhh.” I heard Marty let out a frightened moan. I started to back away. I thought maybe I could scramble out the other side of the car. But the snarling, growling monsters came at us from both sides. “L-leave us alone.” I stammered. A monster covered in tangled brown fur opened After Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World, many Spaniards came to this continent to explore. One Spanish explorer was Ponce De Leon. He traveled through present-day Florida to find the Fountain of Youth. A second explorer, Coronado searched for the Seven Cities of Gold. He and his men traveled Can you tell which passage is narrative and which is expository?

Summary • Identify your prompt • Plan your work with an outline. • Give your work a title with an action word. • Grab interest in the beginning • Build your paragraph with explanations, examples, & evidence following the topic statement or key statement. • Use strong action words • Use vivid adjectives • Use figurative language. • Finished? Reread & reread to improve and clarify.

Expository Writing