Adapted from Bowen Peters,

“The Writing Process”

Essay Writing
Expository Essays
7th Grade English
Lecture by Miss. Cano

Title Page
 Lecture Objectives & CA Content Standards

• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas,

concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis
of relevant content.
• a. Introduce a topic or thesis statement clearly, previewing what is to
follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such
as definition, classification, comparison/ contrast, and cause/effect;
include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and
multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. CA
• b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples.
• c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the
relationships among ideas and concepts.
• d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform
about or explain the topic.
• e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
• f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and
supports the information or explanation presented.

Lecture Objectives & CA Content Standards Addressed

Can you list the main types of writing?

 In the next 5 minutes, list the four main types of writing

(hint: we learned about this yesterday!)

 For each type of writing that you listed, write a 1

sentence definition explaining the purpose of that
particular type of writing.

Educational Hook
Expository Writing

 Expository writing is simple because the main purpose is

to answer a question / prompt in a straightforward way!

 Just remember to Explain, Explain, Explain!

Types of Expository Writing

 Cause & Effect Essays

 Problem & Solution Essays

 Compare & Contrast

Essays

 Definition Essays

 “How to” Essays

 Examples?

Try to list 5 examples of

expository writing!

Progress Monitoring Question/Animation

5 Step Writing Process

This process will help you plan out your essay from
start to finish, for any type of essay!

Smart Art/ Dual Coding

Prewriting

 Brainstorm about topic/prompt and the main ideas you

want to include in your essay

 Do research on the topic if allowed/needed

 Create an outline for your essay & note the main ideas
for each paragraph

 Don’t Forget: Most essays are 5 paragraphs with an intro

paragraph, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion
paragraph

Animation
Drafting

 Intro paragraph: The topic sentence (aka thesis) is the

most important sentence of the essay. Develop this first!

 Body Paragraph: Outline the three main points for each

paragraph along with the supporting details. These points
should all be separate ideas but with a common theme.

 Conclusion: This paragraph should reinforce the main

point of the essay. No new information should be
introduced in this paragraph.

Animation
 Stoplight Method
Go, Introduce the
paragraph with a
 This fun and easy method is
topic sentence
an alternative way to draft
an essay that follows the
order of traffic light colors! Slow, What is the
main point?
 It helps you structure each
paragraph by providing an
outline.
Stop, Give us more
details/explanation
 This method can be
modified if multiple points
need to be made by Go Back, Wrap up
adding another yellow & the paragraph with
red pair! concluding thoughts
Dual Coding and SmartArt
 Green, Go

 The introductory sentence

or topic sentence should
always be the first
sentence in each
paragraph

 Introductory sentences or
topic sentences should
state the main idea of your
paragraph to give your
reader a clear idea of
what it is about.

Dual Coding
Yellow, Slow
Transition Words  The yellow light is “slow
down” and tell us your
first main idea or
detail, which is the
bulk of your
paragraph.

 Use transition words

when beginning each
“yellow light”

 It is suggested to use
two to three “yellow
light” sentences for
one body paragraph.

Dual Coding
Red, Stop

 The “red light” is stop, give us more

details or supporting sentences for the
“yellow lights”

 These can be quotes, facts, or

examples

 There should be an equal # of red

light sentences to yellow light
sentences
 Green, Go Back
 This sentence is also known as the conclusion sentence

 Wrap up your paragraph by going back and restating the main

point of the paragraph in a concluding manner

 This sentence signals readers that the paragraph is over and to go

onto the next point
 Now you try!

Write one paragraph, using the stoplight method, based on the prompt below.

Heroes come in many forms. If you had to pick one person, who would be your
hero?

Progressing Monitoring Question

 Revising

 The revision phase allows you to

adjust or modify your essay before
completing a final draft.

 You can ask yourself questions like,

“Is this information clearly
communicated to my reader?”

 Ensure transitions are effectively

being used and that the flow of
the essay is smooth and easy to
follow

 Revising of the thesis may be

necessary if essay does not flow

Dual Coding
 Editing

 This step is crucial for ensuring an error free

essay

 Proofread your essay once and look for

writing mechanic mistakes

 Have a friend read the essay to catch

anything you may have missed!

 Watch this video for more instruction on

how to proofread an essay!

Dual Coding
Publishing

 This is your final draft! Publishing can mean turning the

essay in, posting it to a website, or even entering an
essay contest!
Mini Quiz

 Short Answer

1. What are the five steps in the writing process?

2. What does each color from the “stoplight method”

represent?

3. What are two types of expository writing?

Cumulating Activity
Now you try!

 In a 5-paragraph typed essay, respond to the following

prompt. Use the 5 step writing process and the stoplight
for guidance.

 Explain whether it is better to work alone or in teams.

 12pt Times New Roman, double spaced, 2-3 pages, turn

in via email

Cumulating Activity