Common Core Writing 2.1 Expository Writing: What is Expository (Explaining) Writing?

Summary

This instructional video guides students in understanding expository writing, focusing on crafting informative, explanatory texts. It covers the core standards of introducing topics, organizing complex ideas, and presenting factual information to clarify concepts. The video emphasizes the importance of clear language, logical structure, and audience consideration. It also highlights the distinction between facts and opinions, with practical tips for writing, planning, and revising an expository paragraph. Students are encouraged to choose a topic, gather relevant information, and use transitions to create well-organized and effective explanations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Expository writing is used to explain concepts clearly and accurately by presenting factual information without including personal opinions.
• 😀 The key goal of expository writing is to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information in a straightforward manner.
• 😀 Writers should use well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, examples, quotations, and details to support the topic and develop the idea.
• 😀 Expository writing should avoid bias and be written in a clear, direct, and objective manner, considering the reader's knowledge level.
• 😀 A statement of fact presents verifiable information (e.g., the space shuttle program has cost billions), while an opinion expresses a personal view (e.g., the shuttle program is too expensive).
• 😀 When writing an expository paragraph, a clear topic sentence, detailed supporting information, and simple language are essential for clarity and effectiveness.
• 😀 The five-step writing process for expository writing involves planning, organizing, writing, revising, and finalizing the paper while focusing on clear explanation.
• 😀 The planning stage of expository writing includes choosing a suitable topic, determining the main idea, gathering supporting information, and organizing the content logically.
• 😀 During writing, it is important to use transitions and other linking devices to ensure the logical flow of ideas and help the reader understand the content.
• 😀 Revision of an expository paragraph should involve reading the paper, ensuring clarity and accuracy, and seeking feedback from others to improve the explanation.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of expository writing?

The primary purpose of expository writing is to explain complex ideas, concepts, or information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

What are some characteristics of expository writing?

Expository writing includes presenting factual statements, organizing information logically, avoiding personal opinions, and using clear, direct, and unbiased language suitable for the reader's level of understanding.

What is the difference between a fact and an opinion in writing?

A fact is a verifiable statement, such as 'The space shuttle program has cost billions of dollars.' An opinion expresses a personal belief or judgment, such as 'The space shuttle program is too expensive and should be cut back.'

How should expository writing be structured?

Expository writing should have a clear topic sentence, detailed supporting information, and a logical arrangement of facts or examples. It should be well-organized and use transitions to guide the reader through the explanation.

Why is it important to consider the reader's background in expository writing?

Considering the reader's background is crucial because it ensures that the explanation is neither too simple nor too complex, and that the language used is understandable based on the reader's prior knowledge of the topic.

What role do transitions play in expository writing?

Transitions help guide the reader through the logical flow of ideas, ensuring that the relationships between different points are clear and that the overall structure of the writing is easy to follow.

What should be the focus when planning an expository paper?

When planning an expository paper, the focus should be on the explanatory purpose, ensuring that the topic is relevant, the main idea is clear, and sufficient support is gathered to explain the idea logically.

What steps should be followed when revising an expository paragraph?

When revising, it's recommended to read the paper, have someone else review it, and ensure that the writing clearly explains the process or concept. Revisions should improve clarity, organization, and the logical flow of information.

What is the five-step writing process mentioned in the video?

The five-step writing process involves: 1) planning, 2) organizing, 3) writing, 4) revising, and 5) finalizing the expository paragraph. Each step focuses on effectively explaining the main idea and supporting it with relevant details.

Why is it important to avoid technical terms in expository writing?

It is important to avoid technical terms that are beyond the general reader's knowledge unless they are clearly defined. This ensures that the writing remains accessible to a wide audience and does not confuse the reader.