Expository Basics
What is the purpose of expository writing?
To share information
What is the first sentence of an essay called?
Hook
You have 30 seconds to find out:
What is the article "Jewel Bird" about?
The quetzal (especially it's importance to people)
Find the irrelevant detail:
Every human needs to eat to live. Most people eat multiple meals a day, and it's common to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks are also a good way to get energy. I don't like having celery for a snack though.
The irrelevant detail was: "I don't like having celery for a snack though."
Is this an example of expository writing?
"Grapefruits are the saddest fruits."
No, it is an opinion, so it is not expository.
What information is in the thesis?
The main topic of the essay
You have 30 seconds to find out:
Who is the original author of the article "Jewel Bird"?
Robin A. Zimmerman
Find the irrelevant detail:
Windows are one of civilization's oldest inventions. They've been around as long as buildings have existed. Windows are often made of glass today, and many cups are also made of glass. Sometimes windows have shutters and sometimes they have curtains. Without windows to let in fresh air, a room can get very stuffy.
The irrelevant detail was:
"and many cups are also made of glass"
Is this an example of expository writing?
"Penguins are birds that cannot fly."
Yes, it is sharing information.
What is the first sentence of a body paragraph called?
Topic Sentence
You have 30 seconds to find out:
When the article about tardigrades written?
2017
Break up this grocery list: "I went to the park, climbed a tree, and found a bird's nest."
Break up the sentence into separate sentences with more detail.
Is this an example of expository writing?
"Once upon a time, Bob the bird was planning the best birthday party ever."
No, this is a fictional story, so it is not expository writing.
Where can you find the restated thesis?
The first sentence of the conclusion paragraph
You have 30 seconds to find out:
How long into the future could tardigrades survive as a species? (Hint: it's in the thesis of the article)
From the thesis: "Tardigrades could survive until the sun boils Earth’s oceans away several billion years from now."
Revise this sentence so that it has more descriptive detail:
"Ice cream is delicious."
You can add adjectives and extra details to make the sentence more descriptive.
Are newspaper articles expository writing?
Yes, because they are written to share information.
Where can you find background info?
In the introduction paragraph, after the hook.
You have 30 seconds to find out:
Why did the scientists in the article "This Tiny Animal is Apocalypse Proof" decide to study tardigrades?
"A group of scientists wanted to know what it would take to wipe out all life on Earth." (the hook of the article)
Rewrite this sentence so that it has a stronger verb choice:
I went to the moon.
example of a stronger verb choice: "I traveled to the moon."