Road to Essay

Writing
by

SHAH HUSSAIN

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Easy steps for good
essay

Expository
Persuasive
Descriptive
Narrative

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What is an expository essay? It …
 …Gives facts.
 …Explains.
 …Gives steps in a process.
 …Presents ideas in logical
order or correct sequence.

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 What are the key words that show it
is an expository prompt?
Most people enjoy some type of music. Think
about your favorite type of music and explain
why you like that particular type of music.
Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at
times. Explain how you would direct a lost man
to get back to the interstate highway from your
neighborhood.
Tell how to make a hamburger.

YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT

EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.
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What is a descriptive essay?
 Sensory images are
used to describe what
the writer sees, hears,
smells, touches, and
tastes.
 It paints a clear
description of people,
places, objects, or
events.

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 What are the key words that show it is a
descriptive prompt?
Describe your bedroom. Imagine telling someone who has
never visited you.

There are many tourist spots to visit in Birmingham.

Describe your favorite place to take visitors. You may
want to tell what you will see, hear, smell and how you
feel when you are there.

Tell us what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel on Eid
morning.

YOU MUST DESCRIBE OR

TELL WHAT A PERSON CAN
SEE, HEAR, SMELL, TASTE OR FEEL.
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What is a persuasive essay?

 You are asked to

prove something.
 Give reasons why.
 Present arguments
against your
reasons. Show them
to be false.
 Take a stand
 Ask or call for an
action.

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What are the key words that show it’s a
persuasive prompt?
 Persuade a close friend to donate blood as part of a blood
drive that your school is sponsoring for the Red Cross.
 Some of your kid brothers friends have taken up smoking
and want him to start too. Write a convincing letter to
your kid brother to not take up this habit.
 Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper telling why
citizens in Birmingham should support a tax increase
benefiting the local public schools.

YOU WILL NOTICE THE

WORDS PERSUADE, CONVINCE
OR TELL WHY SOMEONE
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SHOULD DO SOMETHING.
 • Tells a story.
What is a
narrative? • Has chronological order
and sequence of
A narrative… events.
• Has action.
• Has conflicts or
problems.
• Has dialogue.
• Has characters.
• Has a definite
beginning, middle and
end. 9
What are the key words that show
that these are narrative prompts?
You and your friend find a big box that is labeled “Do
Not Open.” Your friend wants to open the box. Write a
story about what happens next.

Tell about a time when you made a serious mistake.

Two little girls found a wallet on the sidewalk. Tell what

happened next.
NOTE THE WORDS: WRITE A STORY or

TELL ABOUT A TIME, or

TELL WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. 10

 Ready to write? First determine what type
prompt you have. You should read your
prompt at least “three” times.
 Expository--explain, tell how
 Descriptive--describe
 Persuasive---persuade or convince
 Narrative-- tell about a time
when, tell a story

Use your scratch paper to brain storm and then

make an outline, or web, for a five paragraph essay.
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Think – Brainstorm-PACO
 P-What is your purpose?
 A- Who is your audience?
 C- Content --What are
your ideas for
details, facts, or reasons?
 O- Organization --Think
how you want to
structure your paper.
Jot down these ideas.
NOW START YOUR OUTLINE, OR WEB! 12
 First Paragraph
In t r o d u c e y o u r t o p ic
G iv e 3 d e ta ils , r e a s o n s , fa c ts o r s te p s in a p r o c e s s
Y o u w ill ta lk a b o u t in y o u r p a p e r .

Second Paragraph Third Fourth

K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A
D e s c r ip tiv e (d e ta ils ) D e s c r ip tiv e (d e ta ils ) D e s c r ip tiv e (d e ta ils )
P e r s u a s iv e (re a s o n s ) P e rs u a s iv e (r e a s o n s ) P e r s u a s iv e (r e a s o n s )
E x p o s ito ry (fa c ts /s te p s ) E x p o s ito r y (fa c ts /s te p s ) E x p o s ito r y (fa c ts /s te p s )

e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n

e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n

e x a m p le s e x a m p le s e x a m p le s

K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A

e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n

e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n

e x a m p le s e x a m p le s e x a m p le s

C o n c lu s io n
Fifth Paragraph S u m m a riz e th e p o in ts
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y o u m a d e in th e e s s a y
g o b a c k to th e in tro d u c tio n
 FIRST PAPAGRAPH
In t r o d u c e y o u r t o p ic
G iv e 3 d e ta ils , r e a s o n s , fa c ts o r s te p s in a p r o c e s s
Y o u w ill ta lk a b o u t in y o u r p a p e r .

K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A
D (d e ta ils ) D (d e ta ils ) D (d e ta ils )
P (r e a s o n s ) P (re a s o n s ) P (re a s o n s )
E (fa c ts /s te p s ) E (fa c ts /s te p s ) E (fa c ts /s te p s )

e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n

e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n

e x a m p le s e x a m p le s e x a m p le s

K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A K E Y ID E A

e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n e x p la n a t io n

e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n e la b o r a t io n

e x a m p le s e x a m p le s e x a m p le s

C o n c lu s io n
S u m m a riz e th e p o in ts
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y o u m a d e in th e e s s a y
g o b a c k to th e in tr o d u c tio n
Let’s prepare to write an essay!
Here’s the prompt.
There are many good and bad
things about being in the seventh
grade. Explain what these things
are.

What kind of prompt do we have?

Did you say expository? You’re right!

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 Use your scratch paper
Jot down a few transitions.
 What are transitions?
 Words or phrases that connect ideas or
introduce the topic.
 Such as one, if, although, however,
finally, in conclusion, first, second, next,
additionally,consequently
Make an outline or web. Develop a
1-3-1 plan. One Paragraph for intro-
Three paragraphs for the body –
One paragraph for the conclusion.
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 W h a t 's G o o d & B a d A b o u t 7 t h g r
P r o v id e a h o o k - A s k a q u e s t io n
ta lk a b o u t th e g o o d , b a d a n d th in g s b o th g o o d a n d b a d

Additionally g o o d / f u n t h in g s b a d th in g s th in g s th a t a r e g o o d
One and bad
First
Second c h a n g in g c la s s e s S a t te s t f ie ld tr ip s
Next Another- a n d te a c h e rs
if
Although Finally M s . T r u n c h b u ll n o t lik e e le m e n ta r y s c h o o l m is s s c h o o l
In conclusion A nd M s. H oney
Indeed
Consequently m o re fre e d o m c o m p a r e t o s t a le f o o d m ig h t b e b o r in g
n o lin e m o re te s ts a n d h a rd e r n o t g e t t o s it w it h f r ie n d s
c h o o s e fo o d
s tr e s s -s to m a c h h u r ts PE
Stars are
s p e n d in g t im e w it h f r ie n d s
key ideas or controlling c lo th e s s w e a t
statements. s it t in g in m a t h lo n g e r
Explanations m a k e s m e s ic k F u n to p la y & c o m p e te
Examples,
Evidence are listed H O M EW O R K
below.
to o m u c h

p u ll u p g r a d e s

Conclusion: Sum up what you’ve said. Refer back to your introduction. 17

 This is an important step!
Don’t try to write your paper
without doing an outline first.

Why?!

•You will be graded on organization.

organization
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 Introductions for expository,
descriptive and persuasive
essays should….
 Grab the reader’s attention.

 Or -- Let the reader know what you’re going to talk about.

 Or--Show a plan for what you’re going to be talking

about in the three body paragraphs.

 Or --State what the audience will learn in this

essay.
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 Sample Introduction
Although I have taken many
wonderful vacations, my trip
with my two best friends to New
York City is one I’ll always
remember. This was a fantastic
trip because of the sights we
saw, the people we met, the
plays
What’s we enjoyed,
the topic? Eachand
part ofthe
the plan
laughs we shared. will be developed into
What’s the plan? paragraphs. 20
After you make your web or outline,
start writing your introduction.
Leave space at the top for two more
lines. ( It won’t count against you.)You
might come back later to insert a little
background information in the
introduction. Remember to grab
interest and show the plan of your
paper in the introduction.
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Introductio
n
Have you ever thought about what are the
good and the bad things in seventh grade? There
are good things like changing classes and more
freedom. Some of the bad things are you have to
stay in school longer, you have SAT tests, and
tests get harder. Stay with me as I explain the good
and bad things about being in the seventh grade.

How does the writer grab your attention?

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Let’s start on the body. Go back
to your web or outline for the
second paragraph.
Good Fun Things
-Changing classes and teachers
-Ms. Trunchbull & Ms. Honey
More Freedom
- no line
-See friends at lunch

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First I will tell you about the good and fun things about
being in the seventh grade.You get to change classes so
if one teacher is like Mrs. Trunchbull in Matilda, you are
only with her for part of the day. If your teacher is like Ms.
Honey you will enjoy a fabulous time with her. Another
thing I enjoy is more freedom. We don’t have to walk in
straight lines as if we were soldiers marching off to war.
Next, you can get your own food instead of having the
lunch ladies get it for you. I like spending time with my
friends so if there are not in one of my classes, I can see
them at lunch.

Transition words help!

Does he explain, give examples, use metaphors? 24
Look back at your outline for
the third paragraph
Bad things
Entry Test
-not like secondry school
-compare to stale bread
more test and harder
-stress stomach hurts
-math makes me sick

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Next I’m writing about the bad things you go through in
seventh grade. First of all you have to take the SAT test.
In elementary school you didn’t have to worry about this
kind of thing. The SAT test is like eating stale food
because it can hurt you and it can be boring. The tests
get harder as you go on. We have so many of them they
can cause a major stress and make you feel like your
stomach was just pulled out. At my elementary school we
got out fifteen minutes earlier. Sitting in math class for
that extra minutes makes me feel terrible inside.

Did you find the transitions? What are the

key ideas? How does he explain his key
ideas? What is the metaphor? 26
Look back to your outline before
writing the fourth paragraph
things that are both good & bad
Field Trips
-miss school
-might be boring
PE
-clothes sweat
-fun to play and compete
Homework
-too much
-pull up grades
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 Finally my next category is going to be things that
come good and bad. First field trips are extremely fun
because you can talk and miss school. However it’s bad if
you go somewhere boring or can’t sit with your friend.
Everybody loves P.E. because we play real sports with
competitiveness. But sadly when we’re leaving PE, my
clothes get sweaty which doesn’t feel good. Everybody
knows the pluses and minuses of Homework! We have so
much homework it just takes the energy out of you, which
is bad. What is good about it is that the more homework
you have, the better chance you have to pull up your
grade.

Did you find the transitions? What are the key ideas?
How does he explain his key ideas?
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Now we are ready for the fifth
paragraph – the conclusion which will
summarize our main points or key
ideas in the body.
Good and bad things
freedom
changing classes
SAT test
going to school longer
tests
Good and Bad
Homework
PE
Fieldtrips 29
In conclusion the seventh grade has good and bad things
involved. Such as more freedom, and changing classes.
Some other things are SAT test, going to school longer, and
quizzes and tests. Homework, P.E., and field trips fall into
both of those categories.

What are your transitions? Does the writer

sum up what he written? Does he refer back
to the introduction.

This paragraph was from an actual essay

written by a student for the state writing
assessment. His organization gave him a four.
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Whoops! What did we forget?
Did you think title? You are right!

How about – “The Good and Bad Things About

Seventh Grade”
Nah… Boring. Interesting titles have an action word.

How about- “Good and Bad Things Happen in

Seventh Grade” …better

How about “Seventh Grade, Good or Bad- You Be the

Judge” 31
 Remember we said to leave a little
space at the top. Let’s look at a
classmate’s essay and see why…
What My Near Future Would Be Like
I’ve always found the solving of crimes
by DNA evidence to be interesting. A
forensic scientist is doctor who examines
data. In the near future I would like to
become a forensic scientist and help solve
crimes. The steps I would have to take to
achieve my goals are finishing school,
practice the procedure of my major, and
Afterberereading she in
successful came back to add
everything I do.a little background
information. This is an important step Reread to
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IMPROVE.
Now Let’s Look At Narrative
 Tellabout a time
 Write a story

 Chronological
sequence of events
 Dialogue
 Action
 Problems, conflicts
Do you think  Beginning, Middle,
there is a End
thriller story 33
 S T O R Y T IT L E

I n t r o d u c t io n

Use this E ven t

type of E ven t

web for CLIMAX

a E ven t

Narrative
E ven t

E N D IN G
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Some typical story transition
words
Typically transitions
 One day are about time. After,
before, since, later
 Suddenly
 During
 Until
 Yesterday
 Meanwhile
 Afterwards
 While
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How to get your story rolling
 Beginby
describing a
character.

Karim Abdul
Jabbar, a star
on our school
basketball
team, is very
lucky.
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 Get the story rolling with
dialogue
“What’s that smell?”
the seventh graders
complained.
“Finish your
experiment and we’ll
head outside to get
away from it,” said
What punctuation goes their teacher.
with the words said? Did you say quotation
marks? You’re right!
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Get the story rolling
Provide a “where” with
prepositional phrases:
 Near the park
 Below the surface of
the water
 In Chicago
 Throughout the
crowded room
 Inside the lunchroom

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Here’s an excellent beginning by one of
your classmates at Arrington.
 It was an early Tuesday
morning in Tokyo Japan.
The sun started to rise
over Juan Lee’s house.
Boom! Juan Lee and his
friend Jen went to see
what was with all of the
commotion. Then the
door came crashing
down. It turned out that How does he start his
Juan’s Aunt Lee kicked
the door down. story? How does he grab
interest? 39
Can you tell which passage is
narrative and which is expository?
Marty and I jumped to our After Christopher
feet. “Ohhhh.” I heard Columbus’s voyages to the
Marty let out a frightened New World, many Spaniards
moan. came to this continent to
I started to back away. I explore. One Spanish
thought maybe I could explorer was Ponce De
scramble out the other side Leon. He traveled through
of the car. present-day Florida to find
But the snarling, growling the Fountain of Youth. A
monsters came at us from second explorer, Coronado
searched for the Seven Cities
both sides. “L-leave us of Gold. He and his men
alone.” I stammered. traveled
A monster covered in
tangled brown fur opened
Narrative 40
Expository
Put it all together and write!
 Does this give you an overall review of
what we’ve studied for writing?
 There are many things that fit together to
help us become excellent writers.
Text Te Text
xt
Text Text Text

Text Te Text
xt
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Summary
 Identify your prompt
 Plan your work with an outline.
 Give your work a title with an action word.
 Grab interest in the beginning
 Build your paragraph with explanations,
examples, & evidence following the topic
statement or key statement.
 Use strong action words
 Use vivid adjectives
 Use metaphors
 Finished? Reread & reread to improve and
clarify.
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 The End

Created by: Tariq Hayat Lashari

Public School Sukkur

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