Expository Writing 101
1. The Expository Genre
Teach students the critical elements of the expository genre. Students need to know that expository texts come in many varieties. This genre is informational and explains or clarifies a topic or position. Give students the opportunity to explore and read many forms of expository texts such as newspaper and magazine articles, brochures, informational texts, or blog posts.
2. Central or Controlling Idea (aka Thesis)
The central or controlling idea is what gives the reader the overall purpose to the writing. This can be a difficult skill to teach because it requires writers to be very intentional and precise in crafting a focus sentence that is supported throughout the text. Allow time for students to peruse through expository texts to locate central or controlling ideas. Have students analyze central ideas to determine a definition and develop guiding criteria to use as they begin to produce expository texts. Keep asking students to explain the message they want to communicate to the audience. Help students see that developing a central idea is a critical part of prewriting. Writers who haven't thought about their main message will struggle to stay focused or engage the audience.
3. Supporting Your Central Idea
Central ideas must be supported. Support comes in the forms of facts, details, or explanations. Students need to examine lots of expository texts to see strategies for supporting their ideas. You will find mentor texts on www.tweentribune.com or www.newsela.com. Also consider showing a TED TALK and having students analyze the content. What is the speaker's purpose or message? How does the speaker support the message with facts, details, or explanations?