Personal Expository Essay

 

 

I.                     Constructing the essay:

A.     The introductory paragraph should have:

1.  A lead sentence.

i.         a bold statement

ii.        a quotation

iii.      a question

iv.      a riddle

v.       personal experience

vi.      how you felt

 

2.  One to two sentences explaining the lead sentence.

3.  A short personal summary. (Where born, moved, family members, etc.) This will be in the past tense.

4.  The last sentence of the introductory paragraph should be the thesis statement that previews the three areas of focus.

 

B.      Three paragraphs should follow. Each paragraph should focus on one area of your life. Keep this section in the present tense. Some areas that might be described are:

Family                                                Club(s)

Academic                                Work

Sports                                                Travel

Community Service                Special Interests

 

C.      The concluding paragraph should end the personal expository essay. This paragraph should be set up with the following elements:

1.  Restate the three areas of focus.

2.  Shift focus from where you are now to your goals and ambitions for the future. Shift the verbs to future tense.

3.     Final sentence hooks to the lead if possible.

 

Essay Check List:

 

  1. Heading: Name, date, period, assignment – top left hand corner.
  2. Title – capitalize the first letter of the first word and then all other important words.
  3. Essay Body:

Introductory paragraph

Three paragraphs that explain three aspects of your life.

Concluding paragraph

  1. Eliminate the pronoun “you.”
  2. Spell check
  3. Partner proof read