This document provides instructions for writing different types of essays, focusing on narratives and expositions. It explains that writing is an art that uses carefully selected words. The three types of essays are identified as narrative, expository, and persuasive. Narrative essays involve telling a story, while expository essays involve explaining an idea. Storyboards and concept maps are recommended for prewriting narratives and expositions, respectively. Guidelines are provided for drafting, revising, proofreading, and finalizing essays. Target skills to include such as vivid language, dialogue, and sensory details are also discussed.

1. Writing an
Essay
By ALEXIS JOHN
B. BENEDICTO
For more info visit my
FB Page: “alexis art
and perception” and
leave a message.

2. Writing is Not A Skill….Writing is Not A Skill….
It Is An Art!It Is An Art!
Painters need a brush, musicians needPainters need a brush, musicians need
notes, and writers need words. Carefullynotes, and writers need words. Carefully
selected words are the tools that a writerselected words are the tools that a writer
uses to turn his average writing intouses to turn his average writing into
beautiful works of art.beautiful works of art.

3. Types of EssaysTypes of Essays
There are three types of essays:There are three types of essays:
 NarrativeNarrative
 ExpositoryExpository
 PersuasivePersuasive
We will be focusing on the first two:We will be focusing on the first two:
Narrative and Expository for Florida WritesNarrative and Expository for Florida Writes

4. NARRATIVE ESSAYS
Telling a Story

5. Narrative EssaysNarrative Essays
 A narrative essay is a STORY.A narrative essay is a STORY.
 The prompt, or writing topic, they give youThe prompt, or writing topic, they give you
will most likely have this key word in it:will most likely have this key word in it:
TELL.TELL.
 For example, “Tell about a time you wentFor example, “Tell about a time you went
on a special trip.”on a special trip.”
This is a narrative, because of the wordThis is a narrative, because of the word
TELL.TELL.

6. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
Before we write, we need to think about theBefore we write, we need to think about the
steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.
1.1. PrewritePrewrite
2.2. DraftDraft
3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise
4.4. ProofreedProofreed
5.5. PublishPublish

7. Prewrite - NarrativePrewrite - Narrative
 Have you ever seen a cartoon movie?Have you ever seen a cartoon movie?
 They use a Story Board to sketch their ideasThey use a Story Board to sketch their ideas
before they do the whole movie and includebefore they do the whole movie and include
each detail! This helps them get their ideaseach detail! This helps them get their ideas
flowing and keeps them on track.flowing and keeps them on track.
 For a narrative essay, when you see the wordsFor a narrative essay, when you see the words
TELL on a prompt, sketch a STORY BOARDTELL on a prompt, sketch a STORY BOARD

8. Narrative Story BoardsNarrative Story Boards
1.1. Draw 5 or 6 boxes (you can do more,Draw 5 or 6 boxes (you can do more,
but I would suggest at least 4).but I would suggest at least 4).
2.2. In each box you will draw a picture of aIn each box you will draw a picture of a
scene, in order, in your story.scene, in order, in your story.
3.3. Each box will then be used to help youEach box will then be used to help you
describe a paragraph on your essay.describe a paragraph on your essay.

9. Narrative Story BoardsNarrative Story Boards
 Let’s do one together! Remember that each square is a scene, orLet’s do one together! Remember that each square is a scene, or
an event that happens next. Try to add target skills to each box.an event that happens next. Try to add target skills to each box.
 Prompt: Tell about a time you did something scary.Prompt: Tell about a time you did something scary.
1 2 3
4
5 6
Setting/Character Strong Verb
Conflict
Simile
Metaphor Take-Away
Heard a
clanking
I crept
as
quietly
as
nervous
mouse.
RATTLE,
RATTLE,
RATTLE
I became a
relieved
librarian when I
discovered it
was only a cat.
I’ll never forget
that scary
night!
Onomatopoeia

10. Prewrite - ExpositoryPrewrite - Expository
 For an expository essay we are asked toFor an expository essay we are asked to
EXPLAIN an idea or thought we have.EXPLAIN an idea or thought we have.
 For this, we use a Happy Alien!For this, we use a Happy Alien!
 Draw one head and three legs. TheDraw one head and three legs. The
head holds the main topic and each leghead holds the main topic and each leg
is a supporting detail.is a supporting detail.

11. Happy AlienHappy Alien
 Let’s do one together!Let’s do one together!
 Prompt: Everyone has a favorite food.Prompt: Everyone has a favorite food.
Explain what your favorite food is andExplain what your favorite food is and
why.why.
Favorite Food:
Pizza
It’s cheesy! I eat it when
I’m doing fun
things.
There are so
many varieties!
Each leg will
become one
supporting
paragraph, so make
sure to think of lots
of target skills to add
when you write! You
may want to write a
grabber above him
and a takeaway
below him.

12. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
Before we write, we need to think about theBefore we write, we need to think about the
steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.
1.1. PrewritePrewrite
2.2. DraftDraft
3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise
4.4. ProofreadProofread
5.5. PublishPublish

13. Narrative Draft:
Writing Paragraphs
After you write your Story Board, it’s time to add
paragraphs. Remember, each paragraph is a
block on your story board.
When you write, you need to keep in mind that you
need these things:
You are ON TOPIC
It has a BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END
You wrote CONTENT
You included CREATIVITY skills

14. Example Rubric
Self/Friend Score:______________
Actual Score: _________________
Writing Rubric
Your essay should have….
Organization
Beginning
I have a beginning.
I used a GRABBER
Middle - Content
Grabber
Answered Who, What, When, Where, Why,
and How
Added information to amplify my thoughts
or ideas
I used transitions
If a narrative, it has a conflict
If an expository, it has reasons/points with
examples and details.
End
I have an ending.
I used a TAKE-AWAY
Creativity
Word Choice
Strong Verbs
Sparkly Adjectives
Juicy Colors
Cool Transitional Phrases
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration
One sentence with
Dialogue/Creative Tags
Voice
Similes
Metaphors
Sensory Words
Emotion Words
Feeling statements
Sentence Fluency
Showing NOT Telling
On Topic
Ideas
Every sentence focuses
on the topic
You have written a
unique/interesting
essay about the topic
Conventions
Proper punctuation
Proper use of capitals
Correct spelling of
fourth grade words
and below (especially
tricky words)
Your essay needs
to at least be on
topic and the
correct type in order
to get more than a
0.
Your essay needs
to have at least a
beginning, middle,
and end in order to
get a 3.
The more creativity
skills, the higher
your score
(either 4, 5, 6).
Please see my section on target skills
under revision for more information on the
specific items listed.

15. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
Before we write, we need to think about theBefore we write, we need to think about the
steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.
1.1. PrewritePrewrite
2.2. DraftDraft
3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise
4.4. ProofreadProofread
5.5. PublishPublish

16. Narrative- Edit/ReviseNarrative- Edit/Revise
When you are done writing your 1When you are done writing your 1stst
draft. Godraft. Go
back and REVISE, REVISE, REVISE! Reviseback and REVISE, REVISE, REVISE! Revise
until time is up.until time is up.
Revise means to “see again.” Literally, look atRevise means to “see again.” Literally, look at
your paper as if you were someone else andyour paper as if you were someone else and
read it with a critical eye. What can you add andread it with a critical eye. What can you add and
change? THIS IS NOT JUST A ‘FIX THEchange? THIS IS NOT JUST A ‘FIX THE
GRAMMAR/SPELLING’ TIME!GRAMMAR/SPELLING’ TIME!
Make huge changes to your word choice,Make huge changes to your word choice,
organization, and sentence structure.organization, and sentence structure.

17. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
Before we write, we need to think about theBefore we write, we need to think about the
steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.
1.1. PrewritePrewrite
2.2. DraftDraft
3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise
4.4. ProofreadProofread
5.5. PublishPublish

18. ProofreadProofread
 After revising, go back and proofread yourAfter revising, go back and proofread your
essay for grammar and spelling errors. Allessay for grammar and spelling errors. All
fourth grade level words should be spelledfourth grade level words should be spelled
correctly.correctly.
 Play close attention to tricky words! ClickPlay close attention to tricky words! Click
onon tricky wordstricky words for a list.for a list.

19. The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process
Before we write, we need to think about theBefore we write, we need to think about the
steps involved in writing.steps involved in writing.
1.1. PrewritePrewrite
2.2. DraftDraft
3.3. Edit/ReviseEdit/Revise
4.4. ProofreadProofread
5.5. PublishPublish

20. PublishPublish
 In the classroom, stories and other writingIn the classroom, stories and other writing
can be written into a final draft withcan be written into a final draft with
pictures!pictures!
 However, for Florida Writes, the studentsHowever, for Florida Writes, the students
are EXPECTED to turn in rough drafts.are EXPECTED to turn in rough drafts.
They won’t look pretty! THEYThey won’t look pretty! THEY
SHOULDN’T! Just make sure it is legible.SHOULDN’T! Just make sure it is legible.
