Expository Essay Writing for Middle School ESL Students
As middle school ELA teachers of ESL students, we know how important it is for ESL students to develop their expository writing skills. It's a critical academic writing form they'll need in high school and beyond. But don't worry, it can be done.
Components of an Expository Essay
First of all, let's talk about the components of an expository essay.
The introduction should grab the reader's attention, provide background information on the topic, and include a clear thesis statement.
The body paragraphs should provide specific details, evidence, and examples to support the thesis statement.
The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay, restate the thesis statement, and provide a final thought or call to action.
Basic Structure of an Expository Essay
Now that we understand the basic structure of an expository essay, let's talk about how to write one.
First, students should choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to their audience.
Then, they should research the topic and gather evidence to support their claims.
After that, they should develop a clear thesis statement and organize their information into clear, focused paragraphs.
Finally, they should write a conclusion that summarizes their main points and provides a final thought or call to action.
Organizing and Structuring an Expository Essay
When it comes to organizing and structuring their essay, ESL students benefit from using graphic organizers, mind maps, and other visual aids to help them see the connections between different pieces of information.
Creating an outline can also be helpful in structuring their essay. They should start with a clear thesis statement, identify the main points that support it, group related ideas together, use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph and use evidence and examples to support each point.
Topics for an Expository Essay
In terms of topics, I always encourage my students to choose something they're passionate about or curious to learn more about. Some examples of expository essay topics for middle school students include
The benefits of reading for pleasure
The effects of social media on mental health
The history of video games
The importance of sleep for teenagers
The science behind food allergies
The benefits of volunteering in the community
The role of technology in education
The impact of climate change on the environment
The history of a favorite sport or hobby
The dangers of distracted driving
Organizing and Structuring an Essay for ESL Students
Sentence Frames for ESL Students
To help your ESL students improve their expository writing skills, providing them with sentence frames and graphic organizers can be really helpful. These tools can help students formulate and organize their ideas in a clear and concise way.
Here are some sentence frames that you can give your students to help them get started:
"One important aspect of [topic] is [specific idea]."
"Many people believe that [general idea]. However, [specific idea] is often overlooked."
"It is widely known that [general idea], but the [specific idea] is often ignored."
"Although [general idea], [specific idea] is a significant factor to consider."
Revising
In addition to using sentence frames, it's also important to teach your middle school ESL students how to revise their essays effectively. Some tips for revising include taking a break for at least a day, reading the essay aloud, getting feedback from others, and checking for transitions between paragraphs.
In a Nutshell
Remember that with practice and guidance, your students can develop strong expository writing skills that will serve them well in school and beyond. Encourage them to choose interesting topics, use evidence and good reasoning, and structure their essays effectively.
Your ESL students are normal children who not only need the best practice instruction that’s given to their classmates but also more help that caters to their linguistic needs. With a few tweaks in your instruction, your ESL students will be on their way to writing success!
