Expository Writing:
Expository writing explains, describes, or informs using information/facts
Writing Patterns:
Expository writing often includes many facts, main ideas, and supporting details that proper organization is essential to sharing information with readers in an understandable way.
Usually writers organizer their thoughts in a standard 5-paragraph essay:
1. paragraph 1 is the introduction and explains the main idea
2. paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 are body paragraphs that each explain one supporting idea, connecting back to the main idea
3. paragraph 5 is the conclusion and recaps the information from the other paragraphs
Usually writers organizer their thoughts in a standard 5-paragraph essay:
1. paragraph 1 is the introduction and explains the main idea
2. paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 are body paragraphs that each explain one supporting idea, connecting back to the main idea
3. paragraph 5 is the conclusion and recaps the information from the other paragraphs
Other patterns that a writer can use to organize an expository text are:
Description
The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples. It provides details about how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds
Cue Words: for example; the characteristics are...
Sequence or Process
The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order.
Cue Words: first; second; third; next; then; finally
Comparison
The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different. A comparison essay usually discusses the similarities between two things, while the contrast essay discusses the differences.
Cue Words: different; in contrast; alike; same as; on the other hand
Cause / Effect
The author focuses on the relationship between two or more events or experiences. The essay could discuss both causes and effects, or it could simply address one or the other. A cause essay usually discusses the reasons why something happened. An effect essay discusses what happens after a specific event or circumstance.
Cue Words: reasons why; if...then; as a result; therefore; because
Problem / Solution
The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. A variation of this pattern is the question-and-answer format in which the author poses a question and then answers it.
Cue Words: the problem is; the dilemma is; puzzle is solved; question... answer
Introductory Paragraphs:
Introduction paragraphs contain 3 parts: Grabber, Main idea, 3 details/reasons.
Grabbers: The first sentence of your paper - it should engage the reader and make them want to read the rest of the paper. There are different types of grabbers:
Question: Start by asking the reader a question - "Have you ever wondered where you'll be in 20 years?"
Quotation/Dialogue: "Put your name on your paper," the teacher said to me.
Description: Teachers are warm, caring, trustworthy people.
Exclamation: Goal! The crowd was on its feet!
Main Idea: The topic of your entire paper - it should explain what the reader will be reading about. ex. "When I grow up, I want to be a teacher."
Details/Supporting Ideas: They sum up what the writer is going to say later to support the main idea - the are the reasons why the writer believes something. ex. "I want to be a teacher because I have been inspired by wonderful teachers, I like working with kids, and I want summer vacations."
Grabbers: The first sentence of your paper - it should engage the reader and make them want to read the rest of the paper. There are different types of grabbers:
Question: Start by asking the reader a question - "Have you ever wondered where you'll be in 20 years?"
Quotation/Dialogue: "Put your name on your paper," the teacher said to me.
Description: Teachers are warm, caring, trustworthy people.
Exclamation: Goal! The crowd was on its feet!
Main Idea: The topic of your entire paper - it should explain what the reader will be reading about. ex. "When I grow up, I want to be a teacher."
Details/Supporting Ideas: They sum up what the writer is going to say later to support the main idea - the are the reasons why the writer believes something. ex. "I want to be a teacher because I have been inspired by wonderful teachers, I like working with kids, and I want summer vacations."
Conclusion Paragraphs:
Conclusion paragraphs contain 3 parts: Topic, Reasons/Information, Knock-Out Ending
Topic: The first sentence of the conclusion should restate the topic.
Reasons/Main Ideas: The last paragraph should restate the reasons or information presented in the body paragraphs, in new words and in shorter form.
Knock-Out Ending: The last sentence of an expository paper should be memorable and leave the reader feeling satisfied that they've learned something or gotten the information they've wanted. There are different types of knock-out endings:
Question: "Now do you understand the job of an ultra-sound tech?"
Summary Sentence: Hamsters are clean, quiet, and well behaved. That's why they are great pets.
Something Learned: After I got my grades, I knew that I would have to study more.
Topic: The first sentence of the conclusion should restate the topic.
Reasons/Main Ideas: The last paragraph should restate the reasons or information presented in the body paragraphs, in new words and in shorter form.
Knock-Out Ending: The last sentence of an expository paper should be memorable and leave the reader feeling satisfied that they've learned something or gotten the information they've wanted. There are different types of knock-out endings:
Question: "Now do you understand the job of an ultra-sound tech?"
Summary Sentence: Hamsters are clean, quiet, and well behaved. That's why they are great pets.
Something Learned: After I got my grades, I knew that I would have to study more.
