STAAR WRITING TEST:THE EXPOSITORY ESSAYWhat do you think? Why do you think it?

1

Expository Writing

The expository essay requires students to clearly explain what they think about something.

You are just explaining WHAT you think about an issue and WHY you think it.

Your essay must be 27 lines or less in length.

2

Here is a sample EXPOSITORY PROMPTRead the information in the box below. Jane Austen (1775–1817) and Franz Kafka (1883–1924) are considered great writers. Their books continue to sell, and they are widely read and studied in schools everywhere. Neither of them, however, received much recognition while they were alive. Should people do things only to be recognized? Think carefully about this question. Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.Be sure to — clearly state your thesis organize and develop your ideas effectively choose your words carefully edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

3

Expository Prompt

Notice on the last slide how you were first asked to Read some information, then you are asked to Think about something, then you are asked to Write an essay.

The “Write” part is what your essay should be about. The Read and Think parts are just to get you thinking about the topic (in this case, the topics are recognition and accomplishment)

4

Expository Writing – THE THESIS

The first thing you need is a THESIS. A thesis is your “answer” to the prompt and says what you think about the issue.

To write your thesis, identify the key ideas in the prompt (they are red in the following examples) and make sure to say what you think about those ideas in your thesis.

5

Expository Writing – THE THESIS

Thesis Example:

Prompt: Write an essay explaining whether a person must always be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.

Thesis: A person does not need to be acknowledged in order to have accomplished something.

6

Expository Writing – THE THESIS

Thesis Example:

Prompt: Write an essay explaining what qualities are needed to be a mentor to someone.

Thesis: Two qualities needed to be a mentor to someone are understanding and determination.

7

Expository Writing

Thesis Examples:

Prompt: Write an essay explaining the impact of reading on an individual’s current and future life.

Thesis: Reading has impacted my life in the present by giving me an open mind toward others, and this open mind will help me work well with my colleagues when I grow up and get a job.

8

Expository Writing

Your thesis should be located AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR ESSAY in your introduction.

9

Expository Writing

The rest of the paragraphs in your essay are just explaining why you think that way.

You can use firsthand experiences, anecdotes, allusions, or anything that helps you support your thesis.

10

Expository Writing

JUST REMEMBER:

Your entire essay should support your thesis.

11

Expository Writing

Good luck!12