Expository Sample Essay INTORDUCTORY Paragraph: Look for and highlight the following items: Orange: HOOK (Attention Getter) Green: BRIDGE (Background Information) Red: THESIS (Major Claim Outlining the Essay) BODY Paragraph: Look for and highlight the following items: Red: TOPIC SENTENCE (minor claim) Yellow: EVIDENCE (quotes, statistics, examples, details) Blue: ELABORATION (analysis, explanation) Purple: Transition Phrases that connect from one paragraph or idea to the next

What are the characteristics of this writing type? EXPOSITORY ARGUMENTATIVE Facts/Details/Events Background Info/Context Author’s Perspective Narration/Explanation Elaboration for the purpose of clarification and conveying meaning/info Organized in a useful way (will change depending on the type of expository/informational writing) Objective (unbiased) Can include visuals (charts, lists, etc.) Facts/Events/Examples = Evidence Background on position or the argument Your claim Addressing a counterclaim (followed with a rebuttal) Explanation/Elaboration For the purpose of persuasion and convincing Organized in way so that it enhanced the claim/argument being made Subjective (has opinion/bias)

ELABORATING ON EVIDENCE 2016-17

SAME Evidence can be explained in different ways…. 5th period is a difficult class because they are very social. This matters because the extra talking keeps the class from getting through all of the material they need to be prepared for tests. VS. 5th period is a wonderful class because they are very social. This matters because they are willing to have open discussions and learn from their classmates.

Central Claim- A major lesson from Macbeth is that people must look out for one’s own best interest. Minor claim 1- If people don’t look out for themselves, no one else will. Evidence- Banquo didn’t act on his suspicions and it cost him his life. Evidence- Macduff lost his family because he was trying to help his country. Minor claim 2- The most successful people act in their own interest to achieve their goals. Evidence- Macbeth achieved the most political success when he acted in his own interest. Evidence- Lady Macbeth achieved her goals when she manipulated her husband to commit the first murder. Minor claim 3- People need to care for themselves first before they can care for others. Evidence- Malcolm achieved his goal of retaking his kingdom and was able to secure the crown. (How was he caring for himself?) Evidence- The doctor chose not to act on his suspicions about what Macbeth had done. (How did this benefit him?)

Central Claim- A major lesson from Macbeth is that people must look out for the community’s interest over their own. Minor claim 1- People who don’t take care of the community find themselves in dangerous societies. Evidence- Banquo didn’t act on his suspicions and it cost him his life. Evidence- Macduff lost his family because he was trying to help his country. Minor claim 2- Acting in the interest of one’s self over others leads to hollow achievements. Evidence- Macbeth achieved the most political success when he acted in his own interest. Evidence- Lady Macbeth achieved her goals when she manipulated her husband to commit the first murder. Minor claim 3- People need to care for others before their own personal interests. Evidence- Malcolm achieved his goal of retaking his kingdom and was able to secure the crown. (How was he caring for others?) Evidence- The doctor chose not to act on his suspicions about what Macbeth had done. (How did this hurt the community?)

Setting the scene: At five-feet-six and a hundred and ten pounds, Queenie Volupides was a sight to behold. When she tore out of the house after a tiff with her husband, Arthur, she went to the country club where there was a party going on. She left the club shortly before 1:00 am and invited a few friends to follow her home and have one more drink. They got to the Volupides house about ten minutes after Queenie, who met them at the door and said, “Something terrible happened. Arthur slipped and fell on the stairs. He was coming down for another drink—he still had the glass in his hand—and I think he’s dead. Oh, my God—what shall I do? The autopsy conducted later concluded that Arthur had died from a wound on the head and confirmed that he’d been drunk.

Slip or trip? Worksheet