Secondary Sources: 2+
Descriiption
For this assignment, you will compose an expository essay discussing a topic of your choosing, composed in one of the six styles of expository exposition (refer to Expository Writing PowerPoint slide deck)
You will be primarily graded on your ability to properly structure and format an essay, so be sure to review your notes and PowerPoint slide decks. You will also be graded on your critical thinking and analysis skills that you have been practicing with your Reading Responses
You must locate two outside sources to reference in your essay. Encyclopedias (Wikipedia, Britannica, etc.) and History.com can count as sources for this essay only. You will be graded on your ability to correctly quote and cite (in-text and Works Cited) these sources.
The very last page of your essay will be your Writing Reflection. In short paragraphs (2-3 sentences each), answer the following questions:
What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic throughout the process of researching and writing?
What was the most difficult part of this writing process?
What is the biggest strength of this essay?
What is the biggest weakness of this essay and how will you overcome it in the future?
Your essay will be evaluated based on the quality of the following components:
Proper MLA formatting
Well-developed paragraphs
Introduction
Supporting paragraphs that follow a logical order and include quoted material
Conclusion
Basic grammar skills (complete sentences; no spelling errors; appropriate usage, etc.).
Quotes and citation (in-text and Works Cited)
The Expository Essay Quick-Reference
The expository essay is a genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner.
The structure of the expository essay is held together by the following.
A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.
Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse.
Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
Each paragraph should be limited to the exposition of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. What is more, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph.
Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).
Quote and cite your sources! Each paragraph should have cited and/or anecdotal material.
A bit of creativity!
Though creativity and artfulness are not always associated with essay writing, it is an art form nonetheless. Try not to get stuck on the formulaic nature of expository writing at the expense of writing something interesting. Remember, though you may not be crafting the next great novel, you are attempting to leave a lasting impression on the people evaluating your essay.
A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
It is at this point of the essay that students will inevitably begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize and come to a conclusion concerning the information presented in the body of the essay.
