expository writing lesson

Expository Writing Lesson

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.

Writing Topic

Best friends are special people in our lives. Think about your best friend and reasons that you like him or her. Think about things that you enjoy doing together.

Now write multi-paragraph composition to your teacher telling about your best friend. Include at least three reasons why she/he is your best friend. Remember to use specific details to explain and support your reasons.

Identify RAFTS

R = role (this is the student’s role as a writer)

A = audience (student identifies the audience)

F = format (is the prompt asking you to write a composition, a letter, a fictional story, a poem, etc…)

T = topic (identify the topic)

S = supporting details

IDENTIFY RAFTS

Writing Topic

Best friends are special people in our lives. Think about your best friend and reasons that you like him or her. Think about things that you enjoy doing together.

Now write multi-paragraph composition to your teacher telling about your best friend. Include at least three reasons why she/he is your best friend. Remember to use specific details to explain and support your reasons.

Step 2: Brainstorm

Think about 3 reasons why he/she is your best friend.

Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer.

Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.

Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box, write a well-written thesis statement based on the prompt.

Andrea is my best friend and a special person in my life.

In squares 1-3, add your 3 reasons from your brainstorming why she/he is your best friend. These will be your main ideas for each body paragraph(one in each square). All sentences should support the main topic in the center.


Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.

Write one reason ___ is your best friend.

Example: Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to.

Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.

Write another reason ___ is your best friend.

Write another reason ___ is your best friend.

1 2

43

Go back to square 1 and write 3 supporting details in bulleted form for the main idea.

Then, do the same for square 2 and square 3.



Write 3 details about this reason.


•bad day

•sad

•good news


•Projects and homework•Chores•sick


•trustworthy

•cares about me

•sticks with me in good times and bad



1 2

3 4

Square 4 is the ending or conclusion paragraph. The ending doesn’t give more details, but sometimes ends with a personal feeling. Sometimes it can end with a question that serves as an invitation to the reader. Other times, it can end looking back and summarizing the main ideas. Most times the writer can use a combination of the three endings for a satisfying sense of closure to most informational pieces.

Write the ending paragraph in square 4.

------------------------------------------------------------------

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

1 2

3 4Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.

Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable.

Summarize your 3 reasons.



Write 3 details about this reason.Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.

•projects and homework•chores•sick


•bad day

•sad

•good news


•trustworthy

•cares about me


Now, go back to square 1 and elaborate on at least 1 detail. Then, do the same for squares 2 & 3.

Elaboration means to tell more and give greater details. This makes the writing more interesting for the reader.

Ways to Elaborate with Expository Writing:1.Facts – statements that prove a point & it can be based on research2.Relevant statistics – facts that are stated in numbers3.Description – describe with more detail4.Personal story or anecdote – brief account of an interesting incident or event5.Examples – cases that illustrate a point6.Quotes – exact words from an official source or expert



Elaborate on one detail.Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.

•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me


ELABORATE




•bad day

•listens to my problems and tries to give helpful advice

•sad

•good news


•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me


ELABORATE

•ssssssssssssssss

Elaborate on one detail. Elaborate on one detail.




•projects and homework•chores•Sick

•She brings me my assignments when I miss school


•bad day


•sad

•good news

Elaborate on one detail.

ELABORATE

Elaborate on one detail.Elaborate on one detail.Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.

•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me


Step 5: Add transitions - transitions will help your ideas flow

from one idea to another. Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal.

•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me



•bad day


•sad

•good news




Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable..


For example, In addition,

Furthermore, In conclusion,

A list of transition words is

online!

http://jc-schools.net/write/transition.htm

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.


•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me



•bad day


•sad

•good news

To Example: Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand.



Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable


.



Each square will become a

paragraph.


• The introductory paragraph (the center box) prepares the reader for the details to come.

Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life. She is the ultimate example of how a person should treat a friend.She doesn’t just get the title BFF. She has earned that title because of the qualities she possesses.



•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me



•bad day


•sad

•good news






.



Next Paragraph

When you transfer each paragraph to the paper, write each idea and detail in a complete sentence.

Also, add a concluding sentence for each paragraph.


For example, Andrea is my best friend because she is loyal. One way she demonstrates her loyalty is through her trustworthiness. I can trust her to keep my secrets confidential. Also, she is very caring and shows that through her actions. Her loyalty never falters because she sticks by me in good times and bad. Her faithfulness makes her a true friend.

Next Paragraph



•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me



•bad day


•sad

•good news






.



Next Paragraph

When you transfer each paragraph to the paper, write each idea and detail in a complete sentence.

Also, add a concluding sentence for each paragraph.


In addition, Andrea is my best friend because she always listens to me when I need someone to talk to. She is always there for me when I am having a bad day. She listens to my problems and tries to give me helpful advice. Andrea also listens to me when I am sad, and she tries to make me feel better. Additionally, she is always willing to listen when I have good news to share. It is great having Andrea as a best friend because she is someone I can talk to no matter if I have good news or

bad news.

Next Paragraph



•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me



•bad day


•sad

•good news




Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable to find true happiness.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

.



Next Paragraph

When you transfer eachparagraph to the paper, writeeach idea and detail in a completesentence.

Also, add a concluding sentencefor each paragraph.


Furthermore, Andrea is my best friend because she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She helps me with special projects and homework when I don’t understand what to do. Also, she helps me with chores at my house. She is even helpful when I am sick. I can always count on her to bring me my assignments when I miss school. I am so fortunate to have a friend who is so thoughtful and helpful.

Next Paragraph



•Trustworthy

•Keeps my secrets

•cares about me



•bad day


•sad

•good news





Andrea is my best friend and is a special person in my life.”

.



Summary Paragraph


In conclusion, Andrea is my best friend for many reasons. She is loyal and stays faithful to our friendship. She also is there for me when I need someone to talk to. In addition, she is always very helpful. I do not know what I would do without her. She is irreplaceable!

Summary Paragraph

Ending PUNCH

Add an ending punch.

Practice RAFTSSCreativity is defined as the ability to make or do something in a new, different, or imaginative way. As a class assignment, you are to write a composition about a person you admire for his or her creativity. This person could be someone famous—a well-known inventor, writer, artist, musician, or scientist, for example—or someone you know.

Before you begin to write, think about a person whose creativity you admire. What has this person done that is creative? Why is this person interesting to you? What is special about his or her achievements?

Now write a multiparagraph composition for your class identifying this person and explaining why he or she is a creative person. • Give specific details and explain why you think the way you do so that your class

will understand what you mean. • Be sure to write clearly and check your composition for correct spelling,

punctuation, and grammar.