Notes

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What is an Expository

Essay?

• The expository essay is used to explain, describe, give information or inform.

• Do not assume that the reader has prior knowledge of the topic that is being discussed. Be brief, factual, and accurate.

• This essay is NOT persuasive. You are explaining your ideas, not convincing someone that you are right.

Why do I have to know this?

The expository essay is on the English I Writing EOC,

AND

it is also on the English II Writing EOC.

What kinds of Expository Essays will

be on the EOC?

*** Description ***

• Description – author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples

• Cue Words: the characteristics are For exampleFor instance To illustrateSuch as characteristics

Sequence

• Sequence- author lists items or event in numerical or chronological order.

• Cue words: first secondthird nextthen finally

*** Compare/contrast ***

• Author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different

Cue Words:Different in contrastAlike same ason the other hand

*** Cause and Effect ***

• Author lists the cause of something and the resulting effects

• Cue Words:Reasons why if…thenas a result ThereforeBecause consequentlySince this led to

Problem/SolutionQuestion/Answer

• Author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. Author may pose a question and then answer it

• Cue Words: Problem is dilemma ispuzzle is solved if/thenBecause so that

What are the parts of the Expository Essay?

Main Idea

Main Idea

Thesis Statement

Concluding Statement

Anecdote (story)Specific details (proof)ExamplesExplanationsDescriptionsQuotes

EXPOSITORY ESSAY

Sprinkles of

“ASEEDQ”

What main ideas should I write about?

What kinds of details should I include?

Good essays will include sprinkles of ASEEDQ

ASEEDQ

A - Anecdotes• a true story that is generally amusing and thought-

provoking. It most commonly refers to some subject the speaker is talking about.

• Keep it short! If it takes more than 2-3 sentences, don’t use it.

• If someone were talking about the misuse of law enforcement, for example, they might tell a story about how a man in charge of road cleanup was ticketed for littering when a scrap of paper he had already picked up off the road blew out the back of his truck.

S - Specific details

• provide specific examples, evidence, or details to support an idea or thesis.

• If your assignment is to write an essay on the statement, We learn more from our failures than our successes, you shouldn't merely reflect on the statement; you should cite examples from your life, from the news, or from history. Essays filled with general, unsupported statements are not only unconvincing but also uninteresting.

E - Examples

• If you state a reason, back it up with examples you have heard, read, or seen.– News stories– Literature– Historical examples

E - Explanations

• If you say that something is “good” or “bad,” be ready to back it up with an explanation.

D - Descriptions

• Use adjectives to give specific details about a person, place or thing

Q - Quotes

• These quotes can be from a movie, a person in history, or something you have heard your parents say.

• Make sure that the quotes back up what you are trying to express.