EXPOSITORYEXPOSITORY ESSAY ESSAY PROCESS PROCESS PRE WRITING PRE WRITING STAGESSTAGES

The essay process Choosing a topic and narrowing it down.Choosing a topic and narrowing it down. Generating ideasGenerating ideas Organizing ideas into a plan / outlineOrganizing ideas into a plan / outline

Writing the first draft

Getting feedback from a peer or the instructor Revising and editing the draft

Writing the final draft

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Example“eating habits”

“changes in eating habits”

 “the trend of eating healthy food”

 “organic food”

“organic food industry”

“two problems of organic food industry in Turkey”

Stage 1: norrowing down a topic

Brainstorming Freewriting Clustering (Mindmapping)

Journalist’s QuestionsWhat / Where /Who /Why /When /How

Stage 2: Generating Ideas

Writing the Thesis Statement The thesis statement should be expressed in a

complete sentence. The idea in the thesis statement should not be too

narrow or too broad. The thesis statement should express an opinion,

attitude, or an idea; it should not simply announce the topic.

The thesis statement should not be factual; it should not express a fact. It should be a statement that someone could disagree with. Therefore, it is a statement that needs to be explained or supported.

A thesis statement should express only one idea toward one topic; if it contains two or more ideas, the essay runs the risk of lacking unity and coherence.

Stage 3: Outline

Body I: Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV programs for children is documentariesA. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic

a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of lifeb. (minor 2) promotes the importance of conservation of the planet.

B. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channela. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing wayb. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are not in the curriculum

Body II: Topic Sentence: In addition to documentaries, children's programs have a positive influence on children’s development. A. (major 1) prepare preschool kids to school

» (minor 1) teach alphabet, colors, animals » (minor 2) raise social awareness praising friendship and sharing

B. (major 2) encourage creativitya. (minor 1) encourage paintingb. (minor 2) promote musical intelligence

Thesis Statement: Thesis Statement: There are two main types of beneficial programs on TV for children. There are two main types of beneficial programs on TV for children.

Stage 3Sample Outline for an Expository Essay

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Keep in mind that an outline should be prepared BEFORE writing the first draft, because it is a skeleton that helps one in the writing process. It is like a detailed plan one makes before writing the essay.

Stage 3: Outline

Principles of an Effective OutlinePrinciples of an Effective Outline: : Parallelism Parallelism Body I: A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV programs for children is documentaries

1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic

a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of lifeb. (minor 2) promotes the importance of

conservation of the planet.

2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel (minor 1) teaches history in an

appealing way (minor 2) introduces civilizations that

are not in the curriculum

Stage 3: Outline

Principles of an Effective OutlinePrinciples of an Effective Outline: : CoordinationCoordination

Body I: A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV programs for children is documentaries

1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic

a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of lifeb. (minor 2) promotes the importance of

conservation of the planet.

2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel (minor 1) teaches history in an

appealing way (minor 2) introduces civilizations that

are not in the curriculum

Stage 3: Outline

Principles of an Effective OutlinePrinciples of an Effective Outline: : SubordinationSubordination

A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV programs for children is documentaries1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic

a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of lifeb. (minor 2) promotes the importance of

conservation of the planet.2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel

a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing wayb. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are not in

the curriculumB. Topic Sentence: Children’s programs have a positive influence on children’s development.

Stage 3: Outline

Principles of an Effective OutlinePrinciples of an Effective Outline: : DivisionDivisionA. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV programs for children is documentaries1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic

a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of lifeb. (minor 2) promotes the importance of

conservation of the planet.2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel

a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing wayb. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are not in

the curriculumB. Topic Sentence: Children’s programs have a positive influence on children’s development.

Stage 3: Outline