Expository Writing
AdvancedExplain how or why clearly: a topic sentence, sequence words like first/next/finally, and facts or examples.
- Expository structure: topic sentence → First / Second / Third + reasons and examples → In conclusion
- Give each reason an example: For example, I met two good friends in the Photography Club.
- Explain how / why, not just 'good' — clubs teach you to think carefully and speak with confidence
文體小知識：One idea per paragraph, with evidence.
§Text Passage
1Why Students Should Join School Clubs
2Joining a school club is one of the best ways to enjoy secondary school life. First, clubs help students make new friends outside their own class. For example, I met two good friends in the Photography Club last year, and we still take pictures together every month. Second, clubs teach useful skills that lessons do not always cover. A member of the Chess Club learns to think carefully, and a member of the Drama Club learns to speak with confidence. Last term, our club held a photo exhibition, and more than two hundred students visited it. These skills help us in interviews and in daily life. Finally, clubs give students something to look forward to after school, so we study harder during lessons.
3Of course, students should not join too many clubs, or they will have no time for homework. One or two clubs are enough. Choose a club that matches your interest, attend the meetings regularly and help your teammates when they need you. Remember, secondary school is the best time to try new things, because mistakes do not cost much.
4In conclusion, school clubs bring us friendship, skills and fun. Every student should join at least one club this year.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Why Students Should Join School Clubs
為什麼學生應該參加學校學會
Joining a school club is one of the best ways to enjoy secondary school life.
參加學校學會是享受中學生活最好的方法之一。
First, clubs help students make new friends outside their own class.
第一，學會可以幫同學認識班以外的新朋友。
For example, I met two good friends in the Photography Club last year, and we still take pictures together every month.
例如我去年在攝影學會認識了兩個好朋友，到現在我們每個月還會一起拍照。
Second, clubs teach useful skills that lessons do not always cover.
第二，學會會教一些課堂未必學到的實用技能。
A member of the Chess Club learns to think carefully, and a member of the Drama Club learns to speak with confidence.
棋藝學會的成員學會深思熟慮，戲劇學會的成員就學會自信地表達。
Last term, our club held a photo exhibition, and more than two hundred students visited it.
上個學期，我們學會舉辦了一個攝影展，有超過二百個同學來參觀。
These skills help us in interviews and in daily life.
這些技能在面試同日常生活都很有用。
Finally, clubs give students something to look forward to after school, so we study harder during lessons.
最後，學會令同學放學後有些期待，所以我們上課都會更用心。
Of course, students should not join too many clubs, or they will have no time for homework.
當然，同學不應該參加太多學會，否則就會沒有時間做功課。
One or two clubs are enough.
參加一兩個就夠了。
Choose a club that matches your interest, attend the meetings regularly and help your teammates when they need you.
選一個配合自己興趣的學會，定期出席聚會，隊友有需要的時候就幫一把。
Remember, secondary school is the best time to try new things, because mistakes do not cost much.
記住，中學是嘗試新事物最好的時候，因為犯錯的代價不大。
In conclusion, school clubs bring us friendship, skills and fun.
總括來說，學校學會為我們帶來友誼、技能同樂趣。
Every student should join at least one club this year.
每個同學今年都應該至少參加一個學會。
1Summary 重點摘要
Explain how or why clearly: a topic sentence, sequence words like first/next/finally, and facts or examples.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Explain something.
Main point.
Fact/example.
Group of sentences.
Ending summary.
For example.
True information.
How organised.
3Step by step Steps
- Topic sentenceState the point first: Joining a school club is one of the best ways to enjoy secondary school life.
- Supporting detailsFollow every reason with one example: For example, I met two good friends in the Photography Club last year. A reason without an example convinces nobody.
- ConclusionIn conclusion, repeat the points — school clubs bring us friendship, skills and fun — then call for action: Every student should join at least one club this year.
- Order your reasonsFirst / Second / Finally line them up: First, clubs help students make new friends… Second, clubs teach useful skills… Finally, clubs give students something to look forward to.
- Numbers persuadeConcrete figures beat ten adjectives: our club held a photo exhibition, and more than two hundred students visited it.
- Balance your viewOf course admits the other side: Of course, students should not join too many clubs, or they will have no time for homework.
- Practical adviceAfter the reasons, give action: Choose a club that matches your interest, attend the meetings regularly and help your teammates when they need you.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Task: write a paragraph titled Why Students Should Read Every Day using a topic sentence + First / Second / Third + conclusion.
- Step 1: Open with a topic sentence stating your stand — Reading is important for three reasons.
- Step 2: First + reason + example — First, it builds vocabulary. For example, …
- Step 3: Continue with Second / Third, one or two sentences each.
- Step 4: Add an Of course… line to make the piece balanced — Of course, choose suitable books.
- Step 5: Restate your stand with In conclusion, echoing the first sentence.
- Answer: Reading is important for every student. First, it builds vocabulary, so we can express ourselves more clearly. For example, students who read often find writing exercises much easier. Second, reading improves writing, because we learn good sentence patterns from good writers. Third, it opens new worlds: a book can take us to ancient Egypt or outer space. Of course, we should choose suitable books and read for about twenty minutes a day. In conclusion, reading builds vocabulary, improves writing and opens new worlds, so every student should read every day.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is expository writing?
Q2What is a topic sentence?
Q3What is a supporting detail?
Q4What is a conclusion?
Q5What gives an example?
8Recap Recap
- Expository structure: topic sentence → First / Second / Third + reasons and examples → In conclusion
- Give each reason an example: For example, I met two good friends in the Photography Club.
- Explain how / why, not just 'good' — clubs teach you to think carefully and speak with confidence
- An Of course… line (do not join too many clubs) keeps the writing balanced
- Mark opinions with I think / In my opinion — never sell them as facts