Writing to a Prompt - Expository Writing

Brenda Hill
May 11, 2009

Research supports writing across the curriculum as a means of raising student achievement in all disciplines. Schools that have shown significant increases in student achievement have consistently focused on nonfiction writing. (Doug Reeves, 2006). Students write for various reasons, for different audiences, and from different perspectives. In order for students to produce quality writing products, it is imperative that we teach them how to organize and pace themselves to effectively meet state writing standards. Narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive writing prompts are great ways to prepare students for formal and informal assessments.
 
Expository writing is consistently required of students on state-mandated tests. The characteristics of expository writing are as follows:  informs, writes for a specific audience, shares one or more perspectives, has many details/facts to support the topic, includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, flows with an organizational plan that connects thoughts and ideas. Practice and preparation for expository writing allow students to feel competent and confident in their ability to produce written products of quality and quantity.

Expository writing prompts will vary depending on the age and grade level of students; however, students of all ages can begin to practice and experience this type of writing. Examples of expository writing prompts are:

  • Compare and contrast life cycles of plants and animals.

  • Air and water are real problems in urban areas. Write a paper to describe these problems and the effects. Include 2-3 possible solutions.

  • Explain how Romantic poets reflected the events of the time period.

  • Provide directions for...

  • Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis.

  • Explain an author's perspective and the impact of their writing on others.

  • Write a paper about the importance of good dental hygiene. Be sure to include facts about dental health.    

  • Safety rules on important. We need to follow safety rules at school, on the bus, and at home.  Choose one type of safety (fire, stranger, playground, etc,) and write a paper about why it is important to be safe. Be sure to include 2-3 safety rules on your topic.

Numerous opportunities exist for students to practice expository writing. Prompts can be used to support and reinforce concepts of content learning. Consistent, pervasive expository writing assignments will increase a student's retention and understanding of new learning and will prepare them for benchmark assessments and state writing tests. Learn to write and write to learn. Good luck developing effective expository writers!!!!!!!