Expository writing

Expository Writing

For the purpose of: Classifying, Explaining, and Informingby Mr. Masenhimer

Mountain View Middle School

Selecting a Topic Think of two topics that you know

about

Selecting a Topic Think of two topics that you know

about They need to be topics that can be

broken down into categories

Selecting a Topic Think of two topics that you know

about They need to be topics that can be

broken down into categories Then, jot down three main categories

that can be found in each

Selecting a Topic Think of two topics that you know about They need to be topics that can be broken down into categories Then, jot down three main categories that can be found in each A. The history of Armor

a. chain mail b. steel suits c. plastics and man-made fabrics

B. Planets a. Terrestrials b. Planetoids c. Gas Giants

Selecting a Topic Test both of your topics

Too broad: Topics that are too broad have too many categories that you could possibly cover them all in one essay (animals, sports, etc.)

Selecting a Topic Test both of your topics

Too broad: Topics that are too broad have too many categories that you could possibly cover them all in one essay (animals, sports, etc.)

Too Narrow: Topics that can’t easily be broken down into categories (octopus ink).

Selecting a Topic Test both of your topics

Too broad: Topics that are too broad have too many categories that you could possibly cover them all in one essay (animals, sports, etc.)

Too Narrow: Topics that can’t easily be broken down into categories (octopus ink).

Just right: “Animal defenses” could include three or four natural methods that animals use to protect themselves.

Selecting a Topic Choose your topic, or get a new one!

Selecting a Topic Choose your topic, or get a new one! Ex: I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail B. steel suits C. plastics and man-made fabrics

Write a Thesis Statement Remember, a thesis statement is your topic and the

categories I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail B. steel suits C. plastics and man-made fabrics

Write a Thesis Statement Remember, a thesis statement is your topic and the

categories I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail B. steel suits C. plastics and man-made fabricsEx: From chain mail to steel suits to Kevlar vests, armor

has protected people for centuries.”

Writing Topic Sentences for All Paragraphs I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail B. steel suits C. plastics and man-made fabrics

Writing Topic Sentences for All Paragraphs I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

B. steel suits C. plastics and man-made fabrics

Writing Topic Sentences for All Paragraphs I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

B. steel suits The next step of armor, the steel suits worn by knights in the

1400s, was a step up from chain mail.

C. plastics and man-made fabrics

Writing Topic Sentences for All Paragraphs I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

B. steel suits The next step of armor, the steel suits worn by knights in the

1400s, was a step up from chain mail.

C. plastics and man-made fabrics Today, the newest armor is made of plastic and man-made

fabrics.

Brainstorm I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

Example Example

B. steel suits The next step of armor, the steel suits worn by knights in the

1400s, was a step up from chain mail. Example Example

C. plastics and man-made fabrics Today, the newest armor is made of plastic and man-made

fabrics. Example Example

Brainstorm I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

Chain mail was made of thousands of little metal rings hooked together.

Brainstorm I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

Chain mail was made of thousands of little metal rings hooked together.

The thin rings formed a kind of metal cloth that could be draped around a soldier’s body.

Brainstorm I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

Chain mail was made of thousands of little metal rings hooked together.

The thin rings formed a kind of metal cloth that could be draped around a soldier’s body.

It was lighter than a metal plate and could cover large areas of a soldier’s body.

Brainstorm I. The history of Armor

A. chain mail Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500

years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail.

Chain mail was made of thousands of little metal rings hooked together.

The thin rings formed a kind of metal cloth that could be draped around a soldier’s body.

It was lighter than a metal plate and could cover large areas of a soldier’s body.

However, chain mail was not perfect because it did very little to stop the impact of a blow from a sword.

Writing An Introduction In the introduction, you must provide

interesting background information with a thesis statement.

Writing An Introduction In the introduction, you must provide

interesting background information with a thesis statement.

Ex: The history of the armor has fascinated me ever since my uncle, who is a security guard, had his life saved by a bullet proof vest. While armor was used back in ancient times, the materials used to make it have changed a great deal over the centuries. From chain mail to steel suits to Kevlar vests, armor has protected people for centuries.

Combine Brainstorming Into Paragraphs with Topic Sentence in the Beginning

Even though armor has been around for more than 2,500 years, the first important change in armor took place around 1000 C.E. when soldiers began wearing chain mail. Chain mail was made of thousands of little metal rings hooked together. The thin rings formed a kind of metal cloth that could be draped around a soldier’s body. It was lighter than a metal plate and could cover large areas of a soldier’s body. However, chain mail was not perfect because it did very little to stop the impact of a blow from a sword. The chain mail wearer still could be injured or killed.

Writing A Conclusion Your final paragraph needs to:

Summarize all your main points

Writing A Conclusion Your final paragraph needs to:

Summarize all your main points Emphasize the special importance of the

overall topic

Writing A Conclusion Your final paragraph needs to:

Summarize all your main points Emphasize the special importance of the

overall topic Restate your focus

Writing A Conclusion Your final paragraph needs to:

Summarize all your main points Emphasize the special importance of the overall topic Restate your focus

Ex: People have always needed to protect themselves in battle, and through the years, they found newer and better ways to do it. Types of protection have evolved from chain mail and metal suits to man-made materials. Battle armor will continue to evolve as long as it is needed. Science fiction suggests that someday we may be protected by invisible force fields. In the meantime, people like my uncle will continue to rely on the latest forms of armor.

Steps To Writing An Expository Essay1. Select a Topic2. Write a Thesis Statement3. Write Topic Sentences for All Paragraphs4. Brainstorm Details5. Write An Introduction6. Combine Brainstorming7. Write Rough Draft8. Write Conclusion

Reference Kemper, Sebranek, and Verne Meyer.

Write Source. Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.