Expository Essay

OBJECTIVE:  You will write a 3 paragraph expository essay about one of the following two topics:

• A time in your life that taught you a life lesson.
• What you consider to one of your most important values. 

An expository essay is a piece of writing that is intended to explain a topic to readers.  It should not present the writer’s opinion or try to convince the audience of anything. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Your must follow the WMSG standards for typed academic papers
• Your essay must have three paragraphs (no more, no less)
• Each of your three paragraph must have 4 – 5 complete sentences
• You must have a clear introduction, supporting details and a clear conclusion.  Further, you must use at least three transition words or phrases. 
• Your essay must be published (typed and turned in by the due date)
• Please see the Writing Rubric for detailed expectations on content, organization, clarification, elaboration, grammar and skills
• Please see the Writing Characteristics sheet on Expository Essays to help guide your writing

TIMELINE:

Tuesday, Nov. 16^th: 

Writer’s Workshop (WW) Pre-Writing; Brainstorming

Wednesday, Nov. 17^th:  

DUE:  Graphic Organizer (SP Book p.86) WW: Independent Drafting

Thursday, Nov. 18^th:    

DUE: 1^st Draft

                           WW:  Peer Conferencing (combined class)

Friday, Nov. 19^th:    

 WW: Editing 2nd Draft

Monday, Nov. 22^nd:      WW:  Final editing and publishing

Tuesday, Nov. 23^rd:   PUBLISHING PARTY! 

RESOURCES TO BE USED THROUGHOUT WRITING PROCESS:

• Writer’s Workshop Checklist
• Skills Practice Book p.86:  Graphic Organizer
• Skills Practice Book p.82: Transitional devices
• Skills Practice Book p.85: Writing Model (note this is for the VALUES choice)
• Thesaurus: to find more “expensive” words
• Your own notebook/binder for strong vocabulary ideas
• Writing Rubric
• Writing Characteristics