Expository Essay
How do you hook your reader?
Use a lead with alliteration, catching statement, descriptive image, hyperbole, fact, etc.
What is the purpose of an expository essay?
To explain a topic.
What resource can you use to help with editing(specifically spelling words correctly)?
a dictionary
What strategies will you use when reading the multiple choice questions?
Read the short passage and highlight any mistakes you pick up on. Read the question and highlight key words. Go back to the passage and plug in answer choices. Eliminate answers and choose the correct answer.
How do you write your thesis?
Look at the prompt to begin your sentence....then turn it into a question and answer with a "because" statment.
How should you start each topic sentence?
With a transition word.
The word because does not appropriately connect the two clauses in the following sentence: The young boy led his schoolmates in songs because rescuers worked to free them from the wreckage. Which word should replace because? a. if b. while c. although d. where
b. while
Name a few ways you can take brain breaks during the test.
Roll around your neck, close your eyes for one minute. Roll your shoulders, go to the restroom or get a drink.
What does an expository essay look like?
Intro: lead & thesis; Body paragraphs: 1-2 reasons using transitions with specific details explained; Conclusion: restate you stance and give the reader something to leave them thinking
Name some transition words you might use.
First, second, finally, another, therefore, however, in addition, etc.
Which sentence in this paragraph should be deleted? How could a child be so brave? Why had a little boy risked his own life to save his fellow students? Where was the courageous boy's mother? When reporters questioned the young boy, he answered, "I was the hall monitor. It was my job to look after my classmates."
Where was the courageous boy's mother?
On the day of the writing STAAR, how should you pace yourself? What piece should you do first, second, third, etc?
1st: Read all of prompt page, and do pre-write on one blank page. 2nd: Complete the multiple choice section of the test for the first part. 3rd: Go back and begin your rough draft. 4th: Do the multiple choice part for the next part. 5th: Revise and edit: use a dictionary & a thesarus! Last: In your BEST handwriting, write your final copy and bubble in your scan tron. If time allows, read over your final copy one more time. :)
What is a thesis?
What the paper is all about...turn the topic into a question and answer it...the topic and what you are stating about it.
What can you refer to as an example in an expository essay?
A personal experience, a famous person's experience, something that happened to your friend or parent, etc.
Which sentence could be added to the end of this paragraph to strengthen the introduction to this paper? During the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics, most people weren't watching the athletes. Instead they were watching the small boy who was walking next to the famous Chinese basketball player. The boy's entrance brought enthusiastic cheers. That's because nine-year-old Lin Hao was more than just a kid. a. He was a great kid. b. He was in school. c. He was a national hero. d. He was exceptionally cute.
c. He was a national hero.
What should you do the night before your test(s)?
Pack a water bottle, relax, and get a good night's sleep because YOU'VE GOT THIS!
Draw the graphic organizer that you will use for your expository pre-write.
Answers will vary.
How should you conclude your expository essay?
Revisit the thesis, summarize your main idea, leave the reader thinking.
What change, if any, needs to be made to this sentence? With all its intricacies, the human brain is a sensative and delicate organ. a. Change intricacies to intracacies b. Change sensative to sensitive c. Change delicate to delacate d. No changes are needed.
b. Change sensative to sensitive
(1) Just a few months earlier, Hao had been at school on a typical day. (2) Without warning, the ground beneath him began to tremble. (3) Hao's school was at the very heart of an earthquake. (4) Windows shattered, and shelves toppled over. (5) Finally the whole building collapsed. (6) Hao somehow managed to climb out of the rubble and save himself. (7) He risked his life to pull two of his classmates to safety. The author would like to add the following sentence to this paragraph. Then, despite his own injuries, Hao went back into the ruins. Where is the BEST place to insert this sentence? a. After sentence 1 b. After sentence 2 c. After sentence 4 d. After sentence 6
d. After sentence 6
What should you do on the morning of your test(s)?
Eat a healthy breakfast, be on time to school, bring your water bottle, snack, jacket, and be ready to show your awesomeness!