The Expository Essay

1. The Expository Essay “How to Write a How-To Essay”

2. Now for the finishing touches: You have written a 5-paragraph HOW TO Essay. P1: Introductory Paragraph • Attention getter • Background information • Thesis statement P2-P4: Body Paragraphs • 3-5 Steps with Topic Sentences • Supporting Details • Explain/Tell More P5: Concluding Paragraph • Restate thesis • Summarize • Clincher *Let’s improve on some of the parts which are newer to you.

3. A Great Attention Getter: • Use a quote, fact, question or anecdote to get the reader’s attention. • Make a connection (transition) between the attention-getter, the background information and the rest of your essay. • For example: • “When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.” This quote, from the movie “Dawn of the Dead”, describes a zombie apocalypse, a popular modern nightmare. • According to the Weather Network, the average annual snowfall in Glacier Park, Canada is 1471 centimeters.That is a lot of snow, but knowing how to make an awesome snowman can alleviate some of the stress from having to live with it snowing all the time. • Can you remember the worst date you ever went on? Probably. If you are like me, it is a nightmare you won’t soon forget.

4. Meaningful Background Information: • Why is the topic important? • Who will benefit from the information? • Where, How and When did you learn this information? Why should we trust you? • For Example: This is what would happen in the event of a zombie apocalypse. Zombie stories continue to be popular. Millions of people watch shows like “The Walking Dead” and movies such as the “Resident Evil” series. We enjoy watching the action and gore, but we also enjoy imagining ourselves in a survival situation, using our wits and skills to overcome terrible odds. After years of watching and reading zombie stories, I am confident that I could live through a zombie infestation.

5. Why is it important? • Getting an A in Writing class will help you improve your GPA, but it will also mean that you’ve learned essential writing skills and improved your English. (How to Get an A in a Writing Class) • Singing well in a noraebang will impress your friends or coworkers. It might even help you win the heart of that cute guy or girl in the corner. (How to Sing Well in a Noraebang) • Owning a dog can enrich your life in so many ways, but only if you know how to properly train one. Improperly trained dogs may bite, bark or make a mess in your house. (How to Train a Dog)

6. Who will benefit? • All sophomores at Dongguk University must take a writing class.   • In Korea, it’s common to go to karaoke with your friends or co-workers. (People in Korea will benefit.) • Dogs are great company for children, young adults, and senior citizens!

7. Why should you be trusted? You must answer: When, where and how you learned this “how to” information? • After taking Sophomore Reading and Writinglast semester, I know many ways to avoid an F and get an A. • My family raised dogs from the time I was a child, and today I have my own dog. • Every week I go to the noraebang with a group of friends, and we are constantly practicing and improving our singing.

8. Be careful! • Your background information should be factual and accurate. • Research can help you understand your topic more and know why it is important better. • Remember: DO NOTwrite: “My topic is important because…” or “Surviving the zombie apocalypse is important because….” It calls attention to the fact the reader is reading an essay. Avoid writing: “I think (many people…,my topic…, it’s important…)” It sounds indecisive and unsure.

9. Your conclusion paragraph: Create unity by using a conclusion transition signal to begin your conclusion paragraph. For example: In conclusion, it is easy to survive a zombie apocalypse if you follow my advice. Indeed, it is simple to survive a zombie apocalypse if you follow my advice. *Page 13 in your bible or page 186 in your textbook has a variety of conclusion transitions to choose from. Pick one!

10. Your conclusion paragraph: • You can also create unity your in summary by using the same verb tense/ sentence structure. • For example: By getting a good weapon like a gun or a bat, finding canned food and water, choosing a strong shelter, and avoiding common mistakes you will ensure your safety. **Here the same verb tense is used to create unity.** • This sounds better than: Remember to get a good weapon like a gun or a bat, find canned food and water and choose a strong shelter and avoiding common mistakes you will ensure your safety.

11. Other examples: • Remember you need to put away items, throw away garbage, clean from the top down and straighten the furniture to really get your place looking spic and span after a big party. **Here the ‘infinitive verb’ is used to create unity.** • Knowing the right kind of snow, thepropersnowballrolling technique and thecorrect accessories will guarantee that you have the most amazing snowman every time. **Here ‘the + noun’ is used to create unity.** • It does not matter which form you choose as long as you are consistent. Pick one!

12. The clincher: This is your last chance to make a great impression. Make it interesting! Here are the 3 types again: • Prediction – tells what WILL happen in the future, using “will” and “won’t.” • Suggestion/Recommendation – uses command verbs “do”/”don’t”, “take”... or “Let’s…” to give the reader advice. • Final Thought – leaves the reader with something to think about, usually used together with another type of clincher.

13. Clinchers for the surviving a zombie apocalypse Prediction about the future • You will be ready to kick some zombie butt! Suggestion or Recommendation • The next time you see a zombie movie, don’t be afraid. Go to bed knowing that you have the skills to survive, no matter what you wake up to! Final thought • No one can be certain what tomorrow might bring. Our situation could be spun into turmoil by a number of disasters. Survival skills will prepare you for any problem including the zombie apocalypse.

14. Clinchers for Cleaning Up after a Party Prediction about the future • You won’t hesitate to plan your next big party now that you know how to clean up after it. Party on! Suggestion or Recommendation • Don’t get stressed out about the big clean up. Enjoy the big party instead! Final thought • Parties are wonder social opportunities we all should enjoy. The fear of cleaning up afterwards shouldn’t keep us from having a great time. Knowing how to clean up makes it easier and give us more time party it up!

15. Be careful! • Do Not make unrealistic or fantastic predictions! You will be the KING of greener living! YOU IDIOT! You will NOT be KING!

16. You read an essay and now you think you’re the “STAR” of preparing to study abroad?

17. So you are the “QUEEN” of babysitting because you read about it? You get the picture. Be practical in what you say. “You will do a great job babysitting and gain the love and respect of your employer and their kids!” That is believable!

18. Final Touches: Remember: • Give your essay an interesting title. • Include a ‘works cited’ at the end of your essay. • Format your essay following the example on page 9 of your bible.

19. This concludes the Zombie Apocalypse!Go forth, and write a kick-ass essay!