Expository WritingExpository WritingExpository WritingExpository Writing

Steps to writing an essay for the Steps to writing an essay for the FCATFCAT

Step 1 – Understanding the Prompt

• Read the prompt (the writing situation and the directions for writing)

• Establish the P.A.C.– Purpose (Expository essays have four

purposes: To Give Information, To Define a Concept, To Explain Why or How, or To Clarify a Process)

– Audience (Who is reading the essay?)– Context (Format – letter, essay, etc.)

Step 1 - Give it a Try…

Writing Situation

Directions for Writing

Everyone enjoys some type of music.

Think about the different kinds of music you hear each day. Decide which type you like best.

Explain to an adult reader why you prefer one type of music. Tell how that music makes you feel or what it does for you.

Topic

Purpose

Step 2 – Prewriting for ideas (Brainstorm)

• Create a circle map to Brainstorm your ideas:

TOPIC

REASON

REASON

REASON

REASON

Step 2 - Give it a Try…

Brainstorm:

[Topic]: Acoustic Guitar Music

[Reason]: Soothing to the soul

[Reason]: Nostalgic

[Reason]: Tells a story

[Reason]: Natural and raw

[Other Reason]

Step 3 – Choosing Your Best Reasons & Constructing the Main Idea

• Based on the Brainstorm, decide your topic and choose your best 3 reasons.

• Construct the main idea of the essay by stating your answer to the prompt and listing your reasons [This statement goes in the Introductory paragraph of the essay].

Step 3 - Give it a Try…

Main idea:

The type of music that I prefer the most is acoustic guitar because it soothes my soul, creates a story in my mind, and reminds me of great moments from my past.

Step 4 – Organizing your essay (You need to organize your ideas into a chart like

this one):

Introduction

Reason #1

(Evidence #1)

Reason #2

(Evidence #2)

Reason #3

(Evidence #3)

Explanation

Example

Elaboration

Explanation

Example

Elaboration

Explanation

Example

Elaboration

Conclusion= Transitions

Step 4a. – Organizing cont’d. (Listing Your Main Reasons)• You may select and organize your

reasons from most to least important or least to most important.

• Write the reasons on the map (i.e. from least to most important). Each point becomes the main idea in each body paragraph.

Reason #1

(Evidence #1)

Reason #2

(Evidence #2)

Reason #3

(Evidence #3)

Most or least important reason

Other important reason

Least or most important reason

Step 4b. – Organizing cont’d. (Supporting each reason in the body

paragraph)

• Write the support and elaboration for each reason

Reason #1

(Evidence #1)

Reason #2

(Evidence #2)

Reason #3

(Evidence #3)

Explanation – “What do you mean by…[reason #1]?”

Example – “An example of this …”

Elaboration – An explanation of the importance of the example or…

Explanation

Example

Elaboration

Explanation

Example

Elaboration

Step 4 - Give it a Try…

Soothes the soul Tells a story Reminds me of the past

Makes me mellow

i.e. Stressed by deadlines …took away the anxiety

Like a cool breeze, it takes away the heat of my anger …

[Explanation]

[Example]

[Elaboration]

[Explanation]

[Example]

[Elaboration]

Step 5 - Writing out the transitions on the top of the reason boxes and

closing paragraph.Transitions to emphasize a point

Transitions to clarify

Transitions to add information

Transitions to conclude or summarize

again, for this reason, indeed, in fact, to emphasize, to repeat, truly, with this in mind

[Avoid: first, second, etc.]

because of, for example, for instance, in other words, put another way, that is

again, also, additionally, another, besides, equally important, for example, furthermore, moreover, further, in addition, next, finally, as well, together with, along with

As a result, consequently, thus, therefore, due to, in short

[Avoid: in conclusion, finally, lastly]

Step 5 - Give it a Try…

Soothes the soul Tells a story Reminds me of the past

Makes me mellow

For example, stressed by deadlines …took away the anxiety

Like a cool breeze, it takes away the heat of my anger …

[Explanation]

[Example]

[Elaboration]

[Explanation]

[Example]

[Elaboration]

To begin with,

Additionally, Most importantly,

Step 6 – Writing the Introduction

Your introduction should accomplish four things:

1. It should introduce the subject.2. It should capture the reader’s

attention.3. It should clearly state your main idea.4. It should prepare the reader for what

follows.

Step 6 - Introduction cont’d.

• An Introduction has three parts: a general statement, additional statements, and a main idea or thesis statement.

• Imagine the introduction as an upside-down triangle:

1. Big General Statement (that introduces the topic and captures the reader’s attention)

2. Additional statements (Interesting facts, ideas or information leading to the main idea)

3. Main Idea (thesis) statement

Step 6 - Give it a Try…

Sitting in nature and listening to its sounds arouse feelings of peace and tranquility in my soul. I love hearing the natural rhythms and beats produced by Mother Earth. If I’m not able to listen to these sounds, due to the noise of civilization, then I like to listen to the next best thing: the acoustic guitar. The acoustic sound is the type of music I prefer the most because it soothes my soul, creates a story in my mind, and reminds me of great moments from my past.

Genera

l st

ate

ment

Main

Idea A

ddit

ional

Sta

tem

ents

Step 7 - Writing body paragraphs

• In a timed essay, you should have about three developed body paragraphs. [If you write two body paragraphs then they need to be long and detailed.]

• Body paragraphs are the most important part of the paper. They provide the support and elaboration necessary to achieve a high score on the FCAT.

Step 7 - Body paragraphs cont’d. (try framing them like this):

[Topic sentence]: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Explanation]: I mean that__________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Example]: For example, ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Additional Example]: Another time that________________________________________________________________________________________

[Elaboration]: ________________________________________________

[Concluding sentence]: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 7 – Give it a try…

[Topic sentence]: _____________________________________________

[Explanation]: I mean that_______________________________________

___________________________________________________________

[Example]: For example, ________________________________________

[Additional Example]: Another time that_____________________________

[Further elaboration]:

[Concluding sentence]:

___________________________________________________________

To begin with, acoustic sound soothes my soul.

it makes me mellow, especially whenI’m stressed or angry.

when I had all this pressure to meet my

deadlines at work, I picked up my guitar and listened to the soothing sounds in order to calm my anxieties.

acoustic alleviated my stress

and anger was when I came home from a difficult day, so I listened to James Taylor on guitar.

Like a cool breeze, the music cooled me down as I chilled out on the couch and listened to the plucking of the strings..

Indeed, listening to the strumming of the strings soothes my stressful soul.

Step 7 - Body paragraphs cont’d. (Elaborations)

• Here are some suggestions for elaborating (providing more support/details) in your paragraphs:

Ways to Support and Elaborate

Explanation Comparison /

Contrast Another’s experience

Cause / effect

Personal Experience

Description using

Figurative language

DescriptionExample

Explanation:

What do you mean by…

Example:

For example,

For instance,

Description:

Concrete nouns, strong verbs, vivid adjectives

Description (using figurative language):Similes, metaphors, imagery

Personal experience:“I remember when”

Cause / effect:Because…Since…If…then…

Compare / Contrast

Like or unlikeSimilarly…

Another’s Experience‘My friend once had…”

Step 7 – Practice Elaborating. Based on the picture, write a topic sentence. Then make a tree map and write a description under each category based on the topic sentence.

Step 7 - Body paragraphs cont’d.

• Be sure to include TRANSITIONS between paragraphs.

• Transitions are words and ideas that connect one thought/paragraph to the other.

• In the above paragraph frame, transition words like “for example” and “another” were used to connect one sentence to the next. It keeps the essay flowing smoothly.

• I recommend using the following transitional devices between one paragraph and another:

• In addition ▪ Moreover • Furthermore ▪ Besides• Equally important ▪ Additionally

Step 8 – Writing the Closing Paragraph

• The closing paragraph completes the essay and reinforces the main idea. It has three parts: a reworded main idea statement, statements that revisit the main points of the essay, and a clinching statement.

• Imagine the concluding paragraph as a right-side-up triangle:

Main idea (reworded)

Statements that revisit the main points of the essay.

Clinching statement (leave an impression the reader with an interesting observation or concluding remark)

Step 8 - Give it a Try…

Listening to the sound of acoustic guitar is what I enjoy most about music. I have discovered that it soothes my soul and creates nostalgic narratives in my mind. Whenever I find a need to escape the harsh realities of this world, I require only the satisfying strums that set my soul straight. If you need to plug into life then I recommend that you listen to guitar, unplugged.

Rew

ord

ed

Main

Idea

Revis

it t

he m

ain

poin

ts

Clin

cher

Step 9 – Reread the essay to edit and proofread

• If you have time at the end of the essay, then you should edit and proofread it.

• Editing means to change words, phrases, or sentences to make your ideas clear. If you change a word or phrase, then cross it out once and write the new word or phrase directly above it. To move a word or phrase, circle it and draw an arrow to its new location.

• Proofreading means to check for errors in grammar, capitalization, or punctuation.

Final Thoughts…• You need an introduction, about three

body paragraphs, and a conclusion.• A good essay will have a minimum of

20 sentences.• Think in 3’s:

– 3 sentences in the introduction, 3 body paragraphs, 3 examples or elaborations in each body paragraph, 3 sentences in the concluding paragraph.

• Be sure to include transitions in order to connect your ideas, sentences, and paragraphs.

• Do your best; don’t worry!!!

Persuasive WritingPersuasive WritingPersuasive WritingPersuasive Writing

Steps to writing an essaySteps to writing an essay

Step 1• Read the prompt• Establish the P.A.C.

– Purpose• Overall: To convince; to take a stance; to assert a

point of view• Specific: To change a rule or policy; to change a

person’s attitude or behavior; to change a situation; to ask for money; to ask for people’s votes; to ask for a privilege; to ask for a support of a cause.

– Audience• A specific person (i.e. a legislator, parent, principal,

etc.)– Context (Format)

• Essays, speech writing, editorials, personal letters, letters to the editor, advice columns.

You give it a try…• What is the P.A.C. for the following prompt?• Writing Situation:

– The principal of your school has suggested that watching TV causes students’ grades to drop.

• Directions for Writing:– Think about the effect watching TV has on your

grades and your friends’ grades. Now write to convince your principal whether watching TV causes students’ grades to drop.

Purpose

Audience

Topic

Context

Step 2: Consider the pros and cons of both

positions.

Topic: _____________

Pluses Minuses

Step 3• Decide on a position and choose

reasons.• Select your three most convincing

reasons to support your position.• Do NOT take both positions!

Step 4• Create a FLEE map OR a Tree map

to organize your arguments and reasons.

• A Tree map would look like this…

Step 4: Create a Tree Map:

Step 5• Write the reasons on FLEE map

(least to most important)

Step 6• Write the support and elaboration

for these reasons• Consult the list of 9 strategies for

Expository writing.• Here are 6 more strategies…

Additional Strategies for support and elaboration

in persuasive writing

Authoritative Quotes

Ex.

According to theAugust 9th edition

of ConsumerReports…

Facts and Statistics

Ex.

The moon is round.

Approximatelytwo-thirds of the American

population

Definitions

Ex.

A bully, one whodelights in seeingothers uncomfort-

able, should certainly be

dismissed from the Classroom.

Witness Statements

Ex.

The eye-witnessdeclared in the

courtroom that…

Expert Testimony

Ex.

The SurgeonGeneral Dr.

Satcher proclaimedthat smoking will…

Questions orRhetorical Q’s

Ex.

What would the world be like if

everyone knew how to read and

write?

Step 7• Write the argumentative or

persuasive transitions on the top of the reason boxes and closing paragraph

Step 7• Write the argumentative or

persuasive transitions on the top of the reason boxes and closing paragraph

Step 8 – Counter-argument

• Consider the opposing point of view.• Sometimes people with an opposing

p.o.v. have a good point. If so, admit it. Then explain why you disagree.

• Conceding, or admitting the truth of another viewpoint, strengthens your own point.

• Keep your concession brief.

Step 9• Write body paragraphs

Step 10• Write closing paragraph

Step 11• Orally rehearse

Step 12• Write, proofread, and edit the final

draft.