it doesn’t have to be difficult! expository writing:
TRANSCRIPT
What is expository writing? Used to explain, describe, give
information, or inform a reader
“ex-” Latin prefix meaning “out”
“pos” Latin root meaning “place or put”
Literally, to put information “out” to a reader
What are the main organization styles of expository writing?
DescriptionSequenceComparisonCause and effectProblem and solution
If you choose the best organizational pattern for your topic, your paper will be much easier to write
Each organizational pattern has its own style, its own set of “cue words” that you will use in writing
Each organizational pattern also has a graphic organizer that works best, to help you gather your ideas
Description pattern
As a writer using this pattern, you would describe your topic by listing characteristics and features of it, as well as giving examples
Cue words: For example Characteristics are
Sequence pattern
As a writer using this pattern, you would list items in numerical or chronological order
Cue words: First Second Next Then Finally
Comparison pattern
As a writer using this pattern, you would explain how two or more things are alike and/or different
Cue words: Different Alike In contrast Same as On the other hand
Cause and Effect pattern
As a writer using this pattern, you would explain one or more causes and then show the resulting effect(s)
Cue words: Reasons why If…then As a result Therefore Because
Problem and Solution pattern(sometimes called Question and Answer)
As a writer using this pattern, you would describe a problem and list one or more solutions (or ask a question and then provide one or more answers)
Cue words: Problem is Puzzle is solved Question…answer
Quick quiz! Let’s see who’s taking good notes!
Get your clicker ready
Read the description on each page, then choose the expository pattern that is most appropriate
Which pattern style would describe why something happened?
1. Description2. Sequence3. Comparison4. Cause and Effect5. Problem and Solution
Which organizational pattern could explain the steps to follow to do something?
1. Description2. Sequence3. Comparison4. Cause and Effect5. Problem and Solution
Which pattern would be seen in a paper explaining the colors of the Olympic Rings?
1. Description2. Sequence3. Comparison4. Cause and Effect5. Problem and Solution
Which pattern would be seen in a paper discussing who is cuter: Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom?
1. Description2. Sequence3. Comparison4. Cause and Effect5. Problem and Solution
Which pattern would be seen in a paper discussing what to do for an organization that needs to raise money?
1. Description2. Sequence3. Comparison4. Cause and Effect5. Problem and Solution
Planning the Expository Essay Prewriting is critical to this type of
paper If your information is not organized
logically, your reader will not be able to understand your point
Graphic organizers are a huge help here
Five or ten minutes completing a graphic organizer results in an average of a letter grade higher on your final score!!
Topic
Detail
Detail
Detail
Detail
Web/Cluster organizer List your topic in the middle On lines radiating out from the topic, list
characteristics, details, and examples of your central topic
You can add additional lines coming out from your initial details
Topic
Detail
Detail
Detail
Detail
Web/Cluster organizer This graphic organizer works best with
description-style papers It could also work with sequence-style
papers if you then numbered your details It could also work with problem/solution-
style papers if you have more than one solution
List organizer List your topic at the top of the page On each line below that, list a step in
the process If a step has sub-steps, you could indent
and start a second listTopic
Step one
Step two
Step three
Sub-step one
Sub-step two
List organizer This graphic organizer works best with
sequence-style papers It could also work with description papers,
cause and effect papers, and problem/solution papers
Topic
Step oneStep two Step three
Sub-step oneSub-step two
Venn diagram organizer Draw two interlocking circles (or more, depending on the
number of items you are comparing) Make the circles big enough for lots of writing In the overlapping section included in both circles, list
elements that the two topics have in common In the separate sections of each circle, list elements that the
two topics do not share
Element one
Element two
Venn diagram organizer This graphic organizer works best with
comparison-style papers
Element one
Element two
Hierarchy organizer List your problem at the top of the page Draw a line down from your problem, then
branch it off into the number of solutions you have
Problem
Solution one
Solution two
Solution three
Hierarchy organizer This graphic organizer works best with problem/solution-
style papers It could also work with cause/effect-style papers that
have more than one effect It could also work with description-style papers It could also work with a comparison paper, if you only
had two second-level boxes and listed details below that
Elements
Alike
example
Different
example
I’m feeling another quick quiz coming on!
Get your clicker ready
Read the description on each page, then choose the graphic organizer that is most appropriate
Which kind of organizer would be best for a paper telling how to do laundry?
1. Cluster2. List3. Venn4. Hierarchy
10
0 of 5
Which kind of organizer would be best for a paper explaining what rides are at Kings Island?
1. Cluster2. List3. Venn4. Hierarchy
10
0 of 5
Which kind of organizer would be best for a paper showing how middle school and high school are alike and different?
1. Cluster2. List3. Venn4. Hierarchy
10
0 of 5
Which kind of organizer would be best for a paper describing options for keeping track of your homework?
1. Cluster2. List3. Venn4. Hierarchy
10
0 of 5
All right, let’s practice. In your notes, you’re going to practice
completing each type of graphic organizer.
You’ll have three minutes to try each type. You may not finish; do your best.
I will give you a topic for each type. When time is up, we’ll share several
examples.
Ready, set, go!Create a hierarchy diagram to show ways you could earn money to buy something you want
So to review… Expository writing is used to give factual
information to the reader It follows one of five main organizational
patterns: description, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, and problem and solution
Each pattern has its own best cue words and graphic organizer
Prewriting with a graphic organizer can add up to a letter grade to your final paper score—use it!