Writing Expository Compositions

Starting Your Essay

At some point you’re going to have to write an essay called an

Expository Composition

This means any sort of writing where you have to explain something.

Make the Topic of your essay Clear._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_An expository composition is any writing which explains something:

1.) Explaining about a topic – like writing about a favorite sport or a type of pet.

2.) Explaining how to do something – like step by step instructions on how to fix a car or grow a plant.

3.) It might be a science or history essay – like how the heart works or why the Vietnam War started.The key thing with all these is explaining.

The first step is to determine what you are explaining.

1.) Scribble down a Plan.Brainstorm & organize information you need to cover.

A plan will make sure you cover all the points and do it in a sensible order.

A plan will make it much easier for the reader to understand what you are writing about.

2.) Write an Introduction.Start the essay with an introduction to say what the essay is going to be about.This will get the thesis clear in your head and the reader’s.

For Example!

1. Question: (also called the prompt)Write an essay to explain how to do a task you do everyday.

2. Task selected:To explain how to make dinner.

3. Plan:What to eat (how to decide)

How to cook it (reading labels, etc.)

How to serve the food or how to eat the food…

4. Introduction:Cooking dinner is one of the most useful things you can learn – it’s cheaper and usually healthier than eating out. You might find it a little difficult at first but there are a few simple steps to make sure you can cook successfully.

Write About What You Know

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________If the prompt gives you a choice, choose something you know – so you can explain it properly.1.) If the prompt says write about a sport, choose one you know well – it will be easier for you and more interesting for the person reading it.

2.) Don’t try to explain how something works if you don’t know yourself.

Don’t Just be Obvious!Make your essay interesting! Add interesting and colorful concrete details.

For Example!

Boring!Choose what food you want to eat.

Colorful!Decide what food you want to eat. Pasta is quick to cook and provides large amounts of carbohydrates. Roasted meat is very tasty but takes longer to cook.

This presentation is one big – Expository Composition

Expository compositions explain something – just like this presentation.

Using Concrete Details

Whenever you are writing anything, you must use good examples (concrete details) to back up your thesis.

Use Concrete Details to Explain what you are saying.

For every commentary (personal opinion) you include, you must explain and clarify it with a concrete detail.

Statement Add Concrete Detail

Choose a method of cooking [ A cook could use a microwave for quick

preparation or an oven to roast meat.

There are a number of reasons

why people like to keep pets.

[ Some people keep dogs to guard their

houses, or cats as company around the house.

Finishing Your EssayAt the end of your essay you need to tie up what you’ve been saying…

Finish your essay with a conclusion:The last paragraph of your essay must be a conclusion:

1.) It should refer to the introduction.

2.) It should summarize (not repeat) your thesis.

3.) It should recap the main points in your argument.The conclusion is your last chance to clarify what you’ve been talking about. But is shouldn’t be the last thing you do. When you’ve finished your conclusion, you must start revising.

You MUST REVISE what you’ve writtenYou must go back over what you’ve written and check that you have covered all the advice in this section:Have you written a clear introduction which explains

what the essay is about?

Have you added some interesting and colorful details?

Have you thought about your reader – where might they be confused or disagree with what you have said?

Have you explained all the technical terms and notations you’ve used?If you answered NO to any of these questions, you need to revise your

work until you can answer YES. Remember, expository compositions should explain something. Keep asking yourself the key question:

Would this be clear if I was reading it for the first time?

YES YOU CAN!

JUST DO IT!

There is no penalty for trying to be your best.