On this page: Types of Writing ::: Using RAFTS ::: Literary Analysis ::: Text Types & Purpose ::: K-12 Writing Samples ::: Plethora of Writing Examples
I started out by using a metaphor with my students. I’d ask one to pretend that she was ordering a cake from me for the birthday of her best friend. So she’d tell me she needs a cake. And for said friend’s birthday. And I’d respond by saying, “Great! How many cups of sugar would you like in that?”
Needless to say, the students are incredulous and think I’m nuts when I respond that way, as well they should be. So I follow this up by explaining that how may cups of sugar are required is variable and can’t be determined until we know the important information, like what flavor the cake needs to be, what color and type of icing should be used, how many people need to be fed, how many tiers are on the cake, etc.
I follow that up by explaining that the message of the essay is more important than the structure and is actually what determines the structure. I guess you could say they’re putting the sugar before the cake?-excerpt from Michelle Waters from ReTHINK ELA (Think Function Not Form: Stop Teaching Students Structure Supersedes Message October, 2018)
A chronological essay is structured based on the progression of time. This pattern is best used for essays that cover historical topics, such as the history of Starbucks from its inception to today. An outline for this essay might look like this:
1970s
Significant Event #1
Significant Event #2
1980s
Significant Event #1
Significant Event #2
1990s
Significant Event #1
Significant Event #2
2000s
Significant Event #1
Significant Event #2
2010s
Significant Event #1
Significant Event #2
A spatial essay is organized based on how the elements of the topic are related to each other in a physical space. For example, a student might use this pattern to write about family-friendly adventures in Las Vegas.
Planet Hollywood Resort
Restaurants
Miracle Mile Shops
Paris Las Vegas Hotel
Restaurants
Gift Shops
The LINQ Hotel
Restaurants
High Roller ride
A compare-contrast essay considers how two subjects are alike and how they are different. This pattern is best used when understanding an issue requires one to see it from more than one side and in relation to each side. For example, a student can compare and contrast attending a large state university versus a small private university.
Quality of education
Large State University
Large class sizes
Taught by grad students
Small Private University
Smaller classes
Access to professors
Cost of Tuition
Large State University
Less expensive
Less financial aid
Small Private University
Way more expensive
Possibly more financial aid options
Programs Offered
Large State University
Tons of programs
Research focus instead of teaching focus
Small Private University
Fewer programs
Faculty focused on teaching
Students can also organize this essay by writing about how the two universities are the same and then discussing how their are different.
This type of essay weighs the pros and cons of a topic. For example, a student who is considering whether to stay in a small rural high school or transfer to a large suburban one might write a using this pattern.
Advantages of a small rural school
Smaller class sizes
More opportunities to play school sports
More access to teachers
Disadvantages of a small rural school
Fewer electives
Fewer social groups
Less funding for resources
A sequential essay is organized according to the step-by-step sequence of a process. This pattern is best used for “how to” essays, such as an essay on how to write an essay. (How very metacognitive!)
An outline for this essay might look like this:
Prewriting
Choose and research topic
Research audience
Determine form
Determine purpose
Drafting
Organize ideas into complete thoughts
Organize thoughts into a structure
Compose an introduction
Compose a conclusion
Revising
Set writing aside, then review with fresh eyes
Ask peer to review and ask questions about meaning
Add details need to convey message
Remove information that detracts from the message
Rearrange structure to best present message
Editing
Proofread for basic grammar, usage, and mechanics errors
Review each sentence — starting from the bottom and going up, if necessary — to determine if it makes sense as written
Publishing
Find a publication that accepts manuscripts on our topic, purpose
Submit your manuscript
An essay organized around the significance of events or items can build in intensity or go the other way. For example, an essay written about how a student has grown as a writer.
Narrative describing a teacher praising student for a poem outside of class
Commentary on how this was the first clue student could write
Narrative describing winning first place in a school-wide writing contest for a poem
Commentary describing how this was exciting, but not entirely convincing
Narrative describing being selected to write for the yearbook staff
Commentary describing how this selection and experience solidified the student’s desire to write
This essay structure describes a problem, often using a narrative format, and then offers one or more solutions to the problem. This pattern is often used for persuasive or argumentative pieces such as editorials or letters to the editor. An example would be an editor about the quality of water in a small town.
Problem: Poor water quality
Ancient pipes leech chemicals into water
Water is tinged orange
Laundry is ruined
Health may be damaged
Solution: Seek federal and legislative assistance
Seek federal aid for upgrading pipes
Townspeople lobby local representatives
The topical structure may work when others won’t. For example, if a writer could use this structure to describe the different types of pastries a chef may bake.
Types of pastries
Laminated
Flaky
Puff
Nonlaminated
Shortcrust
Choux
Filo
The cause and effect essay describes something that has happened and then what happened as a result of that event. Sometimes, the writer reverses this order and describes the effect first, followed by what caused the effect. This pattern is also useful for persuasive writing. For example, a student might use this structure to write about the death of small towns in Oklahoma.
Causes
Construction of highways that bypass towns
Advent of technology
Crumbling infrastructure
Rise of big box stores
Effect
Small towns are dying as people move to cities
And this is how the essay might look if the structure is reversed:
Effect
Description of a dying small town with wistful quotes from residents
Causes
Construction of highways that bypass towns
Advent of technology
Crumbling infrastructure
Rise of big box stores
Example: CCSS Writing Standards #1-3
Below are several sources of expository writing samples for middle school students.
Finally, here is an article in the New York Times that will help you teach your students real-world expository writing skills.
Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Ideas and Organization)
Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Sentence Fluency and Conventions)
Oregon Department of Education Scored Writing Samples (Voice and Word Choice)
Oregon Department of Education High School Scored Narrative and Argumentative Writing Samples