Expository Writing

Expository Writing / Escritura Expositiva

English 9/Mr. Wei

Definition: Expository Writing

• The purpose of expository writing is to explain a topic in a logical and straightforward manner based on upon real world facts.

• El propósito de la escritura expositiva es explicar un tema de una manera lógica y directa basada en hechos del mundo real.

Essay Layout

Diseño de Ensayo

• Introduction (3-5 sentences) Introducción (3-5 oraciones)

• Body Paragraph (5-7 sentences) Párrafo del cuerpo (5-7 oraciones)

• Conclusion (3-5 sentences) Conclusión (3-5 oraciones)

Introduction: Paragraph 1

Introducción: Párrafo 1

• This is an introductory paragraph that contains the presentation of the topic and thesis statement.

• Este es un párrafo introductorio que contiene la presentación del tema y la declaración de tesis.

Example Introduction

Ejemplo de Introducción

• Hook

  °The attention-getter/El que llama la atención

  °Relates your topic to life in general /Relaciona su tema con la vida en general

  Background information/ context

  °In one to two sentences, introduce the author, the name of the text, and a very short summary of the events. / En una o dos oraciones, presente al autor, el nombre del texto y un resumen muy breve de los hechos.

  Thesis

  The roadmap for your essay/La hoja de ruta para tu ensayo

What flavor ice cream is the best?

• Hook

  Background information and context

  Thesis

• There are many traditions that are considered truly American. (Hook, it makes your readers think what the traditions are.) While football and apple pie are ranking high on that list, ice cream is another popular American treat. (background information) Even though there are hundreds of ice cream flavors, strawberry is the best flavor of ice cream because it uses real fruit, combines many flavors, and has the most vibrant color. (Thesis)

Writing Prompt:

Why is Self-Acceptance important in growth?

Open Ended

Introduction: Paragraph 1 (3-5 sentences: You will explain "self-acceptance" and its relationship with "growth". Remember: Hook,

Background information and Context & Thesis)

Body Paragraph/Paragraph 2

Párrafo del Cuerpo/Párrafo 2

• This is the body of the essay, it must provide 2 facts that support thesis statement.

• Este es el cuerpo del ensayo, debe proporcionar 2 hechos que respalden el enunciado de tesis.

Body Paragraph/Párrafo del cuerpo

• Topic Sentence

  °Introduces the reader to your topic (whatever this particular paragraph is going to be about)

• Evidence 1

  °Prove your argument by using examples from the text!

  Explanation 1

• Evidence 2

  °Prove your argument by using examples from the text!

  Explanation 2

• Concluding Sentence

Body Paragraph Example

Strawberry ice cream is the best flavor because of its use of real fruit. (Topic Sentence)Chunks of strawberries can often be found in a scoop of strawberry ice cream. (Evidence 1) This is an expected added health benefit to ice cream consumers, for many other ice cream flavors do not use real fruit. (Explanation 1)These strawberry chunks can be freeze-dried or fresh. (Evidence 2)This allows strawberry ice cream to have different variations in consistency, catering to customer's specific likes and dislikes. (Explanation 2) In addition to the fresh fruit found in strawberry ice cream, the combination of multiple flavors also adds to its appeal.(Concluding Sentence)

Open Ended

Body: Paragraph 2 (Hint: topic sentence, evidence 1, explanation 1, evidence 2, explanation 2, conclusion sentence.)

Conclusion / Paragraph 3

Conclusión / Párrafo 3

• This paragraph restates the thesis statement and ties together the major points of the essay

• Este párrafo reafirma la declaración de tesis y une los puntos principales del ensayo.

Conclusion / Conclusión

• 1. Re-state your thesis using different words.

• Reafirma tu tesis con diferentes palabras.

• 2. Summarize your main points

• Resuma sus puntos principales

• 3. Concluding sentence 

  ---What idea do you want to leave your reader with?

• Oración final

  ---¿Qué idea quieres dejar a tu lector?

Conclusion Example

• Re-state your thesis using different words

  Summarize your main points

  Concluding sentence

• Strawberry continues to be most popular flavor for a multitude of reasons. Fresh fruit appeals to the health-conscious consumer, the mixture of flavors adds to the complexity of its flavor profile, and the vibrant pink color is an exciting color for all to see. Strawberry ice cream is and will continue to be a popular American treat for all ages to enjoy. 

Open Ended

Conclusion: Paragraph 3 (Re-state your thesis using different words

Summarize your main points

Concluding sentence)

Tips and Tricks

• 1. Do not write as if you are speaking. Write using more formal language. 

• No escriba como si estuviera hablando. Escribe usando un lenguaje más formal.

• 2. Avoid contractions/Evite las contracciones--Example: "won't" --> will not

• 3. Avoid slang: Evita la jerga

• 4. Use proper capitalization and punctuation. (Utilice las mayúsculas y la puntuación adecuadas.)

• 5. Usually, you would avoid writing in the first person (I, me we, us), but it depends on the prompt

• Por lo general, evitaría escribir en primera persona (yo, mi, nosotros, nos), pero depende de la indicación