What is an expository writing?

Chances are, if you were to check your dictionary for “expository”, the word would be noted as an adjectival derivative of the noun,  “exposition”. Both  “exposition ” and “expound ” trace their etymology to the Latin word “exponere”. Therefore, an expository essay must expose something; it must expound upon some idea.  The writer places an idea out ( exponere = out +place ) before others with details which validate the idea’s worth.

In French, "J'essaie" means "I attempt".  The French writer Michel de Montaigne used the term "essaie" to describe his attempts to present his ideas.  His essays were brief, personal, and on a variety of topics. Sir Francis Bacon developed the essay form more formally.  An essay can be informal or formal, short or long, personal or reserved.
 
 

The following Rubric presents a means of evaluating writing.

                                  6          5          4          3          2          1         0

Introduction              ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
           *states topic & main points that will be developed

Topic Development   ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
            *sufficient points & examples are developed appropriately & consistently with the form of the composition

Sentence Structure     ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
           *complete sentences, varied sentence length and form, appropriate diction

Conclusion                 ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
           *clearly states what has been discussed/proved

Coherence                 ___      ___       ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
           *unified product; logical progression of ideas

Clear Emphasis          ___      ___      ___       ___      ___      ___      ___
           *ideas are clearly stated and given appropriate development

Word Choice             ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
          *varied, appropriate vocabulary for the topic

Format                       ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___      ___
         *logically follows the assigned form

Composition Type__________________________ Score __________

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Comments
 
 

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Interpretation of Scale
6 -- excellent              5 -- superior        4 -- average
3 -- below average      2 -- poor            1 -- not acceptable      0 -- not done

The 5 paragraph Essay
    Truly this type of short essay has been strongly criticized as being confining.  Some teachers feel it has been over-taught (to the detriment of students' writing); however, many proficiency tests grade these essays more highly than creative essays.
    This is a highly structured form for expository writing.  This type of essay is to be clear and to the point. The student must not ramble, and must clearly support and develop the topic.  Once a student has mastered this form, deviation should be encouraged.  However, as with any discipline, this "etude" needs to be practiced and mastered.  If one wishes to earn creative credit for breaking the rules, one must begin by mastering the pedantic, basic forms.
 

1st Paragraph
- opening sentence
- 1st point ( general focus statement)
> - 2nd point
- 3rd point
- topic sentence/ thesis statement
2nd paragraph
- open/ topic for the paragraph – thee same point as 2nd sentence of opening paragraph
- expand point
- quote (or paraphrase) and cite the articlle
- explain the quotation in reference to thee thesis
- transition to next paragraph
3rd paragraph
- open/ topic for the paragraph – thee same point as 3nd sentence of opening paragraph
- expand point
- quote and cite the article *note – The essay must contain at least one direct quote.
- explain the quotation in reference to thee thesis
- transition to next paragraph
4th paragraph
- open/ topic for the paragraph – thee same point as 4nd sentence of opening paragraph
- expand point
- quote (or paraphrase) and cite the articlle
- explain the quotation in reference to thee thesis
- transition to next paragraph
5th paragraph
- open with a restatement of thesis
- generally restate the focus*
- close with a strong idea that has been meentioned in the essay

Thesis statement  -- Topic of essay + emotional response or call to action (*focus), plus 3 points.

Citation – In a short essay, place the complete citation at the end.  If only one article is used, only page numbers need to be placed in the text for parenthetical citation.  If more than one article is used, use standard parenthetical citation form.
 
 

The 11-sentence Paragraph

As confining and structured as many find the 5 paragraph essay, it is mirthfully free when compared to the 11- sentence paragraph. Once again, this is a highly disciplined form or writing.  It is quite effective when used as a short response to a poem.  This response has one central idea. Since this form demands long, complex sentences, it should be attempted by mature students who want to polish the presentation of their ideas.
 

When preparing an 11-sentence paragraph on a poem or on a short story, one must first develop the topic sentence.

After reading the whole work find one main theme or topic that you think is the main reason the author wrote the work: the central idea to understanding the work. Your topic sentence must present a strong thought that necessitates further explanation.

Your three supporting sentences must be developed directly from the topic.  The three supporting  sentences should clarify the point made in the topic sentence, define the focus of your essay (what you wish to say), and define the author's intent.

The sentences of direct evidence are composed, in part, of quotations or paraphrased statements from the poem or story.  These quotations directly relate to the ideas the supporting sentences are presenting.   If analyzing a poem, the students should present two short quotes of no more than 6 words and one extended quote. (An extended quote of 4 to 6 lines is acceptable, but it should be indented according to MLA format.)  For a story, a short paraphrase could be used, but the paragraph should have at least one direct quote. As with any writing, all quotations or paraphrases must be properly cited.

The follow-up sentences further explain how the supporting sentences and the direct evidence are related to the topic.  These are a transitional sentences and help to keep the paragraph unified.

The form is repetitious.

The final sentence states a significant insight into the work for which the topic, supporting sentences, and evidence have prepared the reader.

This is the order of the paragraph's sentences. 

Topic sentence

Main supporting sentence #1

Direct evidence #1

Follow-up sentence #1

Main supporting sentence #2

Direct evidence #2

Follow up sentence #2

Main supporting sentence #3

Direct evidence #3

Follow-up sentence #3

Significance