TEXT STRUCTURESHow expository paragraphs are written

Have you ever wondered why certain words are used in expository paragraphs?

Actually Because

By comparison

The problem is…

Before

For instance

Alike

In informational writing, a writer is wanting to:

describe details and facts.

list a specific order

present differences and similarities.

state a problem, its causes, effects and solutions.

A strong writer will write a new paragraph for each of these

purposes. Each paragraph will have a unique structure

using specific words.

There are 5 types of paragraph structure we study in 7th grade. Those structures are:

DESCRIPTIONCAUSE AND EFFECT

COMPARE AND CONTRASTPROBLEM AND SOLUTION

SEQUENCE

Each structure has:a certain purpose and

specific key words

Let’s look at each of these 5 types of structure.

At the top of your paper writeDESCRIPTIVE STRUCTURE

A descriptive paragraph will explain the topic or subject by giving specific and general details.

A descriptive paragraph will include these words:Characteristics are:

For instance,Actually,

In addition,For example,

IncludingSuch as

color wordsnumber words

descriptive adjectivesWRITE FIVE EXAMPLES OF CLUE WORDS ON YOUR PAPER.

Mrs. Hoffman’s office is located by the main entrance to French Middle School. Two secretaries, Mrs. Cline and Mrs. Torrez, have desks outside her door. In her office you will see a large, oak conference table with eight chairs. Actually, Mrs. Hoffman’s desk faces the north wall and has a computer , phone and fish bowl on it. In addition, numerous files and books will often be seen on the top of her desk.

A descriptive paragraph can be written after completing a graphic organizer similar to this:

Mrs. Hoffmans

office

2 secretarie

s

Computer, phone

fish bowl

Main entrance

Table 8 chairs

NEXT WRITE COMPARE/CONTRAST STRUCTUREA compare/contrast paragraph will describe the similarities and the differences of two ideas or topics.

Some key words in a compare/contrast paragraph are:same as alike

similar to resemblesLikewise by comparison

However

different from as opposed toYet but

in contrast on the other handby contrast

WRITE FIVE OF THESE WORDS ON YOUR PAPER.

Mrs. Light’s room and Mrs. Downs room are similar in only a few ways. They both have counter tops and places for storage. However, they are very different. Mrs. Light’s classroom has desks as opposed to Mrs. Down’s who has tables. Mrs. Light’s class has no windows. On the other hand, Mrs. Down’s room has one window. Obviously, these two rooms could never be confused.

A compare/contrast paragraph can be written after completing a Venn graphic organizer.

Mrs. Lights Mrs. Downs

Now write SEQUENCE STRUCTURE

A sequence paragraph lists details about the topic in a specific order.

Key words in a sequence paragraph are:Until finally

before, during, afterfirst/last

next/thenlater, earlier

first, second, thirddatesTimes

Write five of these words on your paper.

When you enter French Middle School, the first door on the left will be the main office. As you move past the office, you will see the 8th graders lockers. Then you will enter the commons where we eat and have assemblies. After you turn left , past the commons, you will see classrooms on your left and the library on the right. The next north south hallway will be the 7th grade hall. After you turn right in the 7th grade hall, you will enter the 6th grade hall. Next hallway to your right will again take you past the library and other classrooms. Finally, you return to the commons.

A sequence paragraph can be written after completing a graphic organizer like this:

First----main office

8th grade lockersThen----

commonsAfter----

classrooms,library

Next----7th grade hall

After---6th grade hall

Now write:CAUSE AND EFFECT STRUCTURE

A cause and effect paragraph explains why something exists and what effects it has.

Some key words found in cause/effect structure are:

Because if……thenas a result of the effect/the cause

on account of consequentlydue to since/because

Therefore thusso that in order to

NOW WRITE FIVE OT THESE WORDS.

Mrs. Keegan walked into the lunchroom and noticed many of the 8th graders were yelling across the tables. Due to the loud noise, she sent several students to the office to finish eating their lunch. As a result of her action, other students began to quiet down.

A cause/effect paragraph can be written after a graphic organizer like this is completed:

Sent students to the office

lunchroom got quiet

8th graders yelling during lunch

lunchroom was loud

Now write: PROBLEM /SOLUTION STRUCTUREA problem/solution paragraph states and describes a problem, it’s causes and solutions for the problem.

Key words in problem/solution structure could include:

one reason for thatA solution/a problemhave solved this by

one possible solutionthe difficulty/puzzle/question is

a cure/remedy

Now write five of these words.

The only problem that students have at French Middle School is lockers that are too small. This creates a problem for storing winter coats, back-packs, and all the textbooks. One solution would be to install larger lockers. Another way to solve this would be to allow students to keep all textbooks in the classrooms.

A problem/solution paragraph can be written after a graphic organizer like this is completed:

lockers are too small

buy new lockersleave textbooks in classrooms

In conclusion: You now understand the forms that any expository writing will follow. If you are aware of the clue words and structure of each paragraph, you not only improve your comprehension as a reader, but your writing becomes more interesting to your reader. Put your paper in the drawer please.