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Read Write Think: Essay Map
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Activity Description
In this activity, students use the Essay Map online tool as a pre-writing activity to help structure and organize their writing. The tool helps students understand the relationship between the introduction, main ideas, supporting details for the main ideas, and the conclusion and allows them to move back and forth through the map changing and adjusting their essay outline as needed.
Preparation
- Select two essay prompts that relate to what you are studying in class: one to model how to use the Essay Map and another for the students to work on in pairs.
- Students should have basic computer, Web site navigation, and keyboarding skills before engaging in this activity.
Teacher Tips
- Use this tool to help your students complete writing activities included in your textbook.
More Ways
- The Student Interactives section (on the Classroom Resources tab) contains 50+ student interactives tools, and printable resources for students.
- To find ideas for how to incorporate the interactives into instruction, there are links to applicable lessons (Lessons That Use This Interactive). While they are targeted for K-12, they can be adapted for adult ed use.
- There are interactive activities on Learning about Language , Organizing and Summarizing , Writing Poetry , and more. For example, under Learning the Language there is Eye on Idioms , Flip a Chip on affixes and roots , and Word Matrixes .
Program Areas
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
- ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
Levels
- Low
- Intermediate
- High
- All Levels
Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Objective: Activate prior knowledge and generate interest.
Activity:
- Begin with a quick-write: “Explain how to make your favorite food.”
- Ask a few students to share and write keywords on the board.
- Lead a short discussion: “What made your explanation clear?”
- Use this to introduce the concept of expository writing as explanatory writing that uses facts, not opinions.
Introduction
Objective: Understand the purpose and structure of an expository essay.
Activity:
- Define expository writing and explain how it differs from persuasive, narrative, or descriptive writing.
- Use a visual anchor chart or slide to outline the typical structure:
-
- Introduction with thesis
- Body paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details
- Conclusion that summarizes and restates the thesis
Presentation
Objective: Analyze a model expository essay.
Activity:
- Distribute a sample expository essay.
- Use a document camera or projector to model annotation:
- Highlight the thesis in one color.
- Highlight topic sentences in another.
- Highlight supporting details in a third.
- Discuss how each part supports the structure.
Practice
Engagement
Enhancement
Objective: Apply learning to a new topic collaboratively.
Activity:
- Give students a new prompt (e.g., “Explain the benefits of learning a second language.”).
- As a class, fill out a graphic organizer (thesis + 3 main ideas + 2-3 supporting details per idea).
- Use Think-Pair-Share to develop supporting details.
Evaluation
Enhancement
Objective: Check for understanding through individual work.
Activity:
- Give students a second prompt (e.g., “Explain how technology impacts education.”).
- Have students independently complete a blank graphic organizer.
- Collect organizers for formative assessment (check the clarity of the thesis and supporting ideas).
Application
Enhancement
Extension
Objective: Extend learning to full essay writing.
Activity:
- Ask students to draft an introductory paragraph using their graphic organizer.
- Encourage them to revise their thesis if needed.
- Share-out: a few volunteers read their thesis and one body paragraph aloud.
- Assign full essay writing as follow-up homework or next-day activity.
Tags
writing, essay map, essay writing, five paragraph essay, flowchart, graphic organizer, introduction, main ideas, online template, online writing, organizing, paired writing, planning, pre-writing, read write think, readwritethink, supporting details, thinkfinity, writing in pairs, writing structure, brainstorm, essay
Creative Commons License
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attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.