This document provides guidance on outlining an expository essay. It defines key elements like the thesis statement, topic sentences, and body paragraphs. It explains how to structure an outline with the introduction, three body paragraphs supporting the thesis with evidence, and a conclusion. The body paragraphs should each have a topic sentence, followed by textual evidence and an explanation of how it supports the topic sentence. Transition words are recommended between paragraphs. The conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes the main points. Examples of outlines are provided for common expository essay types. Guidance is given on choosing appropriate evidence and editing the completed essay.

1. SESSION 2: OUTLINING

2. Topic Sentences, Thesis Statements, and
Subtopic are the Heart
Thesis: a statement
discussing the topic of your
paper.
Subtopics: the main ideas
that support your thesis.
Topic Sentences: a
statement that discusses
the topic of each
paragraph.

3. Definition of Terms
Thesis Statement: The main idea of the whole essay
Transition words: Words such as first, second, as a result,
which make transitions easy in the essay.
Main Ideas: Each paragraph should have a main point or idea
Supporting Details: Details support the main ideas

4. Introductory Paragraph
Body Paragraphs
= Subtopics
Concluding Paragraph

5. Expository Writing - Introduction
Introduction of an expository should include the main idea
and what the essay is about
The three main reasons supporting this main idea should also
be included in the introduction

6. Thesis Statement
The thesis statement can be first in the paragraph,
last in the paragraph or implied throughout the
paragraph
OR more experienced writers use the inverted
pyramid style introduction.

7. Introductory Paragraph – Inverted
Pyramid

8. Introduction
Hook- Hook your reader with a question, quote, short anecdote, or personal
experience statement

9. Body Paragraphs
Purpose of Body Paragraphs:
To support your topic statement using direct quotations,
specific textual detail, and strong explanations.
Elements of a Body Paragraph:
Topic Sentence
Textual Evidence
Explanation of Evidence
Concluding/ Transition Sentence

10. TOPIC SENTENCE
The first sentence in each body paragraph. It gives the reader specific
information about what will be explained in the body paragraph. It is best to
use words from the TOPIC STATEMENT in this sentence.
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Sentences in the body paragraph which use the AUTHOR’S paraphrased,
summarized or quoted ideas to help support your topic statement.
EXPLANATION OF EVIDENCE
Sentences in the body paragraph which explain to the reader HOW YOUR
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTS YOUR TOPIC STATEMENT.
VOCABULARY OF BODY PARAGRAPHS

11. Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
Explanation of Evidence
Textual Evidence
Concluding Sentence
(repeat for each piece of textual evidence)

12. Evidence and Examples
Your evidence is the meat
of the essay. You need to
prove what you know.
Remember the Es:
-Examples
-Explanations
-Evidence
-Elaboration

13. Transitions
Like shifting from one gear
to the next in a car, a
transition shifts from one
paragraph to the next. It is
the glue of an essay.

14. Transition words
Add your transition words
First
Second
Third
Finally, or In Conclusion

15. Conclusion
Conclusions restate your
thesis and subtopics, and
remind your reader what
you wrote about.
Do not include any new
information in your
conclusion.

16. CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
Purpose of Concluding Paragraph
• To summarize your main ideas for your reader, so they leave
your writing with clarity.
Elements of Concluding Paragraph
• Restate your topic statement
• Review body paragraphs

17. Concluding Paragraph
Restate Thesis
Review Paragraph Ideas

18. Re-Cap:
Expository writing needs:
One topic
Reasons supporting that topic
Details supporting the reasons
A conclusion re-stating the reasons
Transition words
Clear, concise, logical and informative language

19. Body I:
Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV
programs for children is documentaries.
A. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic
a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of life
b. (minor 2) promotes the importance of
conservation of the planet.
B. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel
a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing
way
b. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are
not in the curriculum
Thesis Statement:
The two main types of TV programs that are beneficial for children are documentaries and
history channels because they bring positive influence on children’s development.
Stage 3Sample Outline for an Expository Essay
Body II:
Topic Sentence: In addition to documentaries, children's
programs have a positive influence on children’s development.
A. (major 1) prepare preschool kids to school
a. (minor 1) teach alphabet, colors, animals
b. (minor 2) raise social awareness praising friendship
and sharing
B. (major 2) encourage creativity
a. (minor 1) encourage painting
b. (minor 2) promote musical intelligence

20. IMPORTANT REMINDER
Keep in mind that an outline should be prepared BEFORE
writing the first draft, because it is a skeleton that helps
one in the writing process. It is like a detailed plan one
makes before writing the essay.
Stage 3: Outline

21. Principles of an Effective Outline: Parallelism
Body I:
A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV
programs for children is documentaries
1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic
a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of life
b. (minor 2) promotes the importance of
conservation of the planet.
2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel
a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing
way
b. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are
not in the curriculum
Stage 3: Outline

22. Principles of an Effective Outline: Coordination
Body I:
A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV
programs for children is documentaries
1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic
a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of life
b. (minor 2) promotes the importance of
conservation of the planet.
2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel
a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing
way
b. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are
not in the curriculum
Stage 3: Outline

23. Principles of an Effective Outline: Subordination
A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV
programs for children is documentaries
1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic
a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of life
b. (minor 2) promotes the importance of
conservation of the planet.
2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel
a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing way
b. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are not in
the curriculum
B. Topic Sentence: Children’s programs have a positive
influence on children’s development.
Stage 3: Outline

24. Principles of an Effective Outline: Division
A. Topic Sentence: One of the most beneficial TV
programs for children is documentaries
1. (major 1) Documentaries on National Geographic
a. (minor 1) teaches appreciation of life
b. (minor 2) promotes the importance of
conservation of the planet.
2. (major 2) Documentaries on History Channel
a. (minor 1) teaches history in an appealing way
b. (minor 2) introduces civilizations that are not in
the curriculum
B. Topic Sentence: Children’s programs have a positive
influence on children’s development.
Stage 3: Outline

25. Outlining an Expository Essay
Use an outline to organize your essay
Preplanning ensures you don’t forget anything.
Essay practically writes itself from the outline.

26. Outline for Expository
Title__________________________________________
I. Introduction:
A.
Hook______________________________________________________
B. Background
information______________________________________
C. Background information on
topic_______________________________
D. Background information on
topic_______________________________
E. Statistic or personal anecdote-
optional_________________________
F. THESIS
STATEMENT________________________________________
II. First Reason__________________________________________________
A. Fact/ or example_________________________________________
B. Detail__________________________________________________

27. III. Second Reason_______________________________________________
A. Fact/or example_________________________________________
B. Detail__________________________________________________
C. Fact/example____________________________________________
D. Detail__________________________________________________
E. Fact/example____________________________________________
F. Detail___________________________________________________
G. Sum- up statement_______________________________________
IV. Third Reason_________________________________________________
A. Fact/example___________________________________________
B. Detail__________________________________________________
C. Fact/example___________________________________________
D. Detail___________________________________________________
E. Fact/example___________________________________________
F. Detail
V. Conclusion:
Re- state all reasons in conclusion
Clincher sentence- gives a summation of the above and a “feeling” about the whole
essay.
Use transition words, plan reasons in a logical order, make sure you re-state reasons
in your conclusion.
Outline Continuation

28. Expanding your Rough Outline With
Evidence
1.Choose information that you understand easily and can explain
clearly.
2.Choose ideas that are directly related to the point you are
making.
3.Choose a variety of types of evidence

29. Go to p. 61.

30. A variety of Evidence
1.Einstein Evidence
Experts information. E.g. google scholar, Ebscohost, JSTOR, ERIC,
etc.
2.Example Evidence
Consists of specific examples that illustrate the point you are
making.
3.Fact Evidence
Includes statistics and other objective information.
4.Undocumented Evidence
Comes from not written sources, but from experiences and things
that you know or that are commonly understood to be true.

31. Go to pp. 63 & 65

32. Editing your essay
Check that you have all the elements of an expository essay:
Reasons
Details
Transition words
Conclusion that re-states your topic
Grammar
Coherence, logic and clearly written

33. 1) Essay that is developed with examples and/or facts and statistics
2) Essay that is developed with steps in a process
3) Essay that is in a compare and contrast format
Example:
Paragraph 1: Introductory Paragraph
A. Thesis sentence____________________________
B. Background info____________________________
C. Statistics- if relevant__________________________
Paragraph 2: Reason#1 or Process #1 Use a transition word
A. Example/detail #1______________________________
B. Example/detail #2______________________________
C. Example/detail#3_______________________________
Paragraph 3: Reason #2or Process #2 Use a transition word
A. Example/detail #1______________________________
B. Example/detail#2_______________________________
C. Example/detail #3______________________________
Paragraph 4: Reason #3 or Process #3 Use a transition word
A. Example/detail #1_______________________________
B. Example/detail #2_______________________________
C. Example/detail#3________________________________
Paragraph 5:Conclusion:
Take a reason from each paragraph and RE-STATE it in the conclusion. Add a clincher sentence.
Evaluation:
Do you have a clear logical topic?
Have you introduced your topic in the first paragraph?
Do you have one reason per paragraph?
Do you have three details to support each reason?
Have you used transition words at the beginning of each paragraph?