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Expository Writing
Expository
Paragraph
Astronomers estimate that the universe contains ten
thousand billion billion stars. That’s a 1 with 22 zeroes after it!
Even so, those innumerable stars fall into just seven main
types. Seven is a much more manageable number than ten
thousand billion billion!
Whenever you separate something into types or parts,
you are classifying it. In this chapter, you will write a
classification paragraph that will break a topic into
categories. When you are finished, you can share
with your reader a part of your universe.

Writing Guidelines
Subject: A topic that can be broken
down into categories
Form: Expository paragraph
Purpose: To share information
Audience: Classmates
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Expository Paragraph
The classification paragraph is a simple way to present the parts of a topic.
It begins with a topic sentence that tells what the paragraph will be about.
The body sentences that follow present the categories along with specific
details about each. Finally, the closing sentence wraps up the paragraph.
The following paragraph classifies the types of “planets” in our solar system.

Topic Three Types of Planets

Sentence
People often think all planets are alike, but there are
actually three types of planets in the solar system. The
terrestrial planets are made of rock and metal and are closest
to the sun. These include the midsize planets Mercury, Venus,
Earth, and Mars. They rotate slowly and don’t have many
Body moons. Farther from the sun are the planets called gas giants,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are called gas giants
because they are formed from gases such as hydrogen and
helium. Gas giants rotate fast and have many moons. Finally,
planetoids are objects made up of rock and ice and are too
small to be true “planets.” Planetoids sometimes even get
Closing
Sentence pulled into a planet’s gravitational field and become moons
themselves. Whether they are terrestrials, gas giants, or
planetoids, the planets in the solar system are fascinating.

Respond to the reading. On your own paper, answer each of

the following questions.
n Ideas   (1) What three categories does the writer give?
n Organization   (2) How does the writer organize the
specific categories (order of location, order of importance,
time order)?
n Voice & Word Choice   (3) What words or phrases
show that the writer is knowledgeable about the topic?
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159

Prewriting  Selecting a Topic

To select a topic, make a diagram. Select two things you know about and
write them at the top. Then list the different categories that can be found
in each topic. The writer of the paragraph on page 158 created the following
diagram and put a star next to the topic she wanted to write about.

Line Diagram

Planets Guitars

Terrestrials Gas Classical Electric

Giants
Steel-Stringed
Planetoids Acoustic

Create a diagram and select a topic. Using the diagram above as a

guide, create your own, listing two or three topics that interest you along
with their categories. Put a star next to the topic you would like to write
about.

Writing a Topic Sentence

Expository
Many subjects are too broad for a single paragraph. You can’t sum up the
universe, for example, in one paragraph. However, you can explain the types
of planets in our solar system. Your topic sentence should (1) name the topic,
and (2) mention its categories. A simple formula follows.

Topic Categories A good topic sentence

planets three People often think all planets
in our different are alike, but there are
solar types actually three types of
system planets in our solar system.

Write your topic sentence. Use the basic formula above to write a topic
sentence for your paragraph. You may need to try a few different versions
to make this sentence say exactly what you want it to say.
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Writing  Developing Your First Draft

A classification paragraph consists of a topic sentence, a body that
explains the categories—with supporting details—and a closing sentence.
■ Include your topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph.
■ Write body sentences explaining your topic’s categories and arrange
them in the best possible order: order of importance, chronological
(time) order, or order of location. (See page 551.)
■ Sum up the topic with a thoughtful closing sentence.

Write the first draft of your paragraph. Write freely and don’t worry
about making mistakes. Just get all your ideas on paper.

Revising  Improving Your Paragraph

After you finish your paragraph, check it for ideas, organization, voice,
word choice, and sentence fluency.

Review your paragraph. Think about the following questions as you

revise your writing.
1 Is my topic sentence clear?
What details should I add or remove?
2 Are my categories and details organized in the best way?
3 Do I sound knowledgeable about my topic?
4 Are my words clear and precise?
5 Do my sentences flow smoothly?
Have I included a thoughtful closing?

Editing  Checking for Conventions

After you revise your paragraph, check it for conventions.

Edit your work. Answer the questions below.

1 Did I use correct punctuation and capitalization?
2 Have I checked my spelling and grammar?
Proofread your paragraph.  After making a neat copy of your paragraph,
check it one more time for errors.
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Expository Writing
Classification
Essay
Medieval soldiers came in three
varieties: foot soldiers, archers, and knights.
Foot soldiers dressed in mismatched armor
and carried simple weapons such as poleaxes
or flails. Archers often wore no armor, but
stood behind other troops to shoot their long
bows. Knights wore suits of armor, fought from
horseback, and used swords, lances, and shields.
When you identify the types or categories
of something, you are using classification. In
this chapter, you will write a classification
essay. The key is to select a topic that you know
well and can separate into categories.

Writing Guidelines
Subject: A topic that can be broken
down into categories
Form: Classification essay
Purpose: To share information
Audience: Classmates
162

Understanding Your Goal

When you plan your expository essay, keep the following traits in mind.
Understanding these traits will help you reach your goal of writing an
excellent expository essay.

Traits of Expository Writing

Ideas
Choose a topic that can be broken down into at least three
classes or categories. Then support each with a variety of
interesting details.

Organization
Develop a precise pattern of organization for each category and
clearly connect your details.

Voice
Use words and details that fit your purpose and connect with
the reader.

Word Choice
Select precise words that clearly explain each of the categories.

Sentence Fluency
Write a variety of sentences that connect your ideas smoothly.

Conventions
Use punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar correctly.

Literature Connections:  For another example of expository writing, read

“Steam Rising: The Revolutionary Power of Paddleboats” from The World
Almanac.
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163

Classification Essay
In the expository essay below, the writer identifies and explains three
types of armor that have been developed over thousands of years of history.
The key parts of the expository essay are listed in the left margin.

Centuries of Protection
Beginning
Officer T. J. Cosford, a guest speaker at Cooper School,
The beginning
showed students a bulletproof vest. This type of body armor
introduces
the topic once saved his partner’s life. While armor has been used
and presents throughout the ages, the materials used to make it have
the focus
statement changed a great deal over time. From chain mail to steel suits
(underlined). to Kevlar vests, armor has protected people for centuries.
Even though armor had been around for more than 2,500
Middle years, the first important change in armor took place around
The first 1000 C.E. That was when soldiers began wearing chain mail.
middle
paragraph Chain mail was made of thousands of little metal rings hooked
describes together. The thin rings formed a kind of metal cloth that could
the first

Expository
category and be draped around a soldier’s body. It was lighter than a metal
explains its plate and could cover large areas of a soldier’s body. However,
drawbacks.
chain mail was not perfect. It did very little to stop the impact
of a blow from a sword. The chain mail wearer still could be
injured or killed.
The second The next type of armor, the steel suits worn by knights
category is
in the 1400s, was a step up from chain mail. A complete suit
explained.
had the following parts: a breastplate, a back plate, flexible
arm and leg covers, gloves, shoes, and a helmet with a hinged
door that protected the face. Besides being extremely heavy,
the armored suits were expensive to make. Only the rich could
afford to wear them. A knight needed people to help him get
dressed and mount his horse for battle. Although these steel
164

suits offered excellent protection from weapons, they made

movement very awkward. If he was knocked from his horse,
a soldier in a suit of armor was as good as dead.
Middle
The third Today, the newest armor is made of plastics and man-
middle made fabrics. One of these is Kevlar, invented in the 1970s.
paragraph
describes Kevlar is a lightweight fiber that is stronger than steel and
the third more flexible than chain mail. With enough layers, Kevlar
category and
explains its can stop a speeding bullet. The protective clothing items—
advantages. helmets, jackets, vests, and boots—worn by today’s soldiers
contain Kevlar.
Ending
People have always needed to protect themselves in
The ending battle, and through the years, they found newer and better
considers
the overall ways to do it. Types of protection have evolved from chain
importance mail and metal suits to man-made materials. Battle armor
of the topic.
will continue to evolve as long as it is needed. Science fiction
suggests that someday people may be protected by invisible
force fields. In the meantime, people like Mr. Cosford will
continue to rely on the latest forms of armor.

Respond to the reading. Answer the following questions about

the essay you just read.
n Ideas   (1) What is the writer’s topic? (2) What three main
categories does the writer cover?
n Organization   (3) Can you find the pattern that is used to
organize each middle paragraph? Explain it. (4) How does the
writer tie the ending to the beginning?
n Voice & Word Choice   (5) How does the writer show
personal interest in and knowledge of the topic? Give an
example of each.
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165

Go Onli

ne
EWRIT VI S E BLIS
RE PU
!

PR

H
✔
Prewriting W
RITE EDIT

Prewriting is the first step in the writing process. It involves selecting a

topic, gathering specific details, and organizing your ideas.

Keys to Effective Prewriting

l or one you
1. Select a topic that you know wel
would like to know more about.
arly
2. Write a focus statement that cle
in
states the topic and mentions its ma
typ es or categories.

Expository
r
3. Gather details that will make you
essay clear and interesting.

4. Organize your details into

three or four main categories.
zed
5. Plan your essay using an organi
list or an outline.
166

Prewriting  Selecting a Topic

The writer of the model essay on protective armor chose a topic that could
be broken down into at least three main categories. Choose from the following
general subjects for the brainstorming activity below.

clothing education health occupation

exercise friends machines recreation
food goals art/music science
Brainstorm for topics.  To brainstorm for topics, you think freely about
all the possibilities. You don’t stop to think about any one idea. Just
keep listing.
1 Select four general subjects that appeal to you from the list above.
2 On your own paper, draw a gathering chart like the one shown below.
Write your four subjects on the top line.
3 List possible writing topics under each general subject.
4 Star the two topics that interest you the most.
(You will use these topics in the next exercise.)

Gathering Chart

RECREATION GOALS ART/MUSIC SCIENCE

biking  climbing a photography animal

canoeing mountain popular defenses 
skateboarding music storms

Focus on the Traits

Ideas  The writer of the sample essay on pages 163–164 wrote

about a topic that interested both him and his classmates. The topic
worked well because it could be divided into three main categories
that could be supported with specific details.
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Sizing Up Your Topic

Once you have selected two possible topics, you should test them to see
if they can be broken down into three or four categories. Use the guidelines
below to test your topics:
Too Broad . . . Topics that are too broad have too many categories to
explore. For example, “animals” has so many categories that you
couldn’t possibly cover them all in one essay.
Too Narrow . . . If a topic can’t be easily broken down into categories,
it is too narrow. For example, “octopus ink” would be too narrow.
Just Right . . . “Animal defenses” could include three or four
natural methods that animals use to protect themselves. It is just right.

Choose your topic.  On your own paper, write the two topics you
starred in the exercise on page 166. Beneath each one, list at least three
main categories of the topic. When you are finished, ask yourself the
following questions about each topic. Then choose the better topic.
1 Does this topic have three or four main categories?
2 Could I find enough details to support each main category?
3 Is this topic too broad, too narrow, or just right?

Focusing Your Topic

Once you have selected a topic, it’s time to write a focus statement (also

Expository
called a thesis statement). An effective focus statement identifies the topic you
will write about and how it can be broken down. (Sometimes you may wish to
actually name the specific categories in your focus statement.)
The following formula was used to write a focus statement for an essay
about animal defenses.

A narrowed A brief explanation of A good focus

topic the categories statement
animal three Animals protect
defenses amazing ways themselves in three
amazing ways.

Write your focus statement.  Using the formula shown above, write a
focus statement for your classification essay.
168

Prewriting  Gathering and Sorting Details

Now that you have selected your topic and written your focus statement,
you can begin gathering and sorting details. Sorting helps you see how many
details you have for each category. Study the sorting chart below from the
student essay about how animals protect themselves.

tip If you think of something you would like to add to your list, but you
don’t know enough about it, write it down as a question and circle
it. Do whatever reading or researching is necessary to answer your
questions.

Sorting Chart

Changing Using Releasing

Colors Chemicals Body Parts

- S nowshoe rabbits - S kunks spray - Starfish drop

turn white in winter. a stinky liquid. arms.
- Cuttlefish turn - S ome frogs Do they regrow
colors. taste bad. their lost parts?
Is there a color - O ctopuses - Salamanders
that cuttlefish shoot dark, can regrow a leg
can’t change to? cloudy ink. or tail.

Create your sorting chart.  On your own paper, draw a sorting chart
like the one above. At the top, write the three or four main categories you’ve
chosen to write about. Then, in each column, list specific details for each
category and add any questions you may have.

Focus on the Traits

Organization  If you are able to divide your topic into three

or four main categories, you will also be able to easily divide your
essay into clear paragraphs. Remember that each paragraph should
address one main category of the topic.
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169

Writing Topic Sentences

The topic sentence of each middle paragraph should clearly identify one of
the categories. Each topic sentence should also include a transition that moves
the reader smoothly from one category to the next. The writer of the essay on
animal defenses used the topic sentences below to rate the defenses from least
to most unusual. (For more information on topic sentences, see pages 552–553.)

Topic Sentences

Topic sentence 1: One common way animals protect themselves

is by changing color to blend in with their environment.
Topic sentence 2: A more unusual way animals avoid attack
is by giving off a chemical that smells bad or clouds the
surroundings.
Topic sentence 3: Perhaps the most amazing way animals protect
themselves is by releasing a tail or another body part to get
away when captured.

Write your topic sentences.  Use the above models to help you write
your topic sentences.

Expository
1 Keep your focus statement in mind as you write each topic
sentence.
2 Be sure each topic sentence addresses one of the main categories
mentioned in the focus statement.
3 Include a transition to introduce or say something important
about the category. (For more information on transitions, see
pages 572–573.)

Focus on the Traits

Voice  In a classification essay, you want to sound both interested

and knowledgeable. Search for fascinating details and amazing facts
to include in your writing.
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Prewriting  Organizing Your Ideas

The focus statement identifies the overall topic and main categories of
the classification essay. Each category becomes a topic sentence in the actual
essay.

Directions Organized List

Write your focus statement (thesis). Animals protect themselves in

three amazing ways.
Write the first category. 1. Changing color to blend in
with surroundings
List your first example. – Rabbit turns brown in
summer, white in winter
List your second example. – Cuttlefish changes to
color of surroundings
Write the second category.
2. Using chemicals
List your first example. – Skunk repels attackers
with foul-smelling liquid
List your second example. – Octopus squirts dark,
inky fluid
Write the third category. 3. Releasing body parts
List your first example. – Salamander and starfish
drop a limb
List your second example. – Gecko drops its tail to
get away

Make sure you have approximately the same number and kinds of details
for each main category in your essay. When you revise, you will check for
a balance of information from one paragraph to the next.

Make an organized list.  To create your list, follow the “Directions” in

the sample above. You will use this list as you write your essay.