CCC HIT TTEB BELLRINGER Think back to our unit on persuasive writing and see if you can determine what each of the following acronyms stands for! CCC HIT TTEB

EXPOSITORY WRITING English II

OBJECTIVE TLW demonstrate understanding of how authors use symbolism to develop theme in literary texts. TLW demonstrate mastery of expository writing.

WHAT IS EXPOSITORY WRITING? Expository writing is writing to explain. Expository writing seeks to inform, explain, clarify, define or instruct.

EXAMPLES OF EXPOSITORY WRITING Letters Newsletters Definitions Instructions Guidebooks Catalogues Newspaper articles Magazine articles Manuals Pamphlets Reports Research papers Expository writing is EVERYWHERE!!

HOW IS EXPOSITORY WRITING DIFFERENT FROM OTHER TYPES OF WRITING? Expository writing does not tell a story. Expository writing does not persuade a reader but only gives facts and reasons. Expository writing is not a summary of the book. Expository writing is not a book review or a book report. Expository writing is not ONLY your opinion. You must base your ideas on evidence from the text.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EXPOSITORY WRITING Focus on main topic Logical supporting facts Details, explanations, and examples Strong organization Clarity Unity and coherence Logical order Smooth transitions

BUT HOW DO WE DO THAT?

5 ELEMENTS OF EXPOSITORY WRITING Organization Topic Sentence, Thesis Statement, and Subtopics Transitions Evidence and Examples Conclusion

ELEMENT 1: ORGANIZATION When you organize an essay it needs to follow a logical sequence.

EXPOSITORY ESSAY FORMAT Introduction Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3 Conclusion

Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs = Subtopics Concluding Paragraph

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH The first paragraph of an essay should introduce the reader to the essay topic. It should create interest in the essay, outline the writer’s main ideas, and suggest how these ideas will be presented within the body of the essay. The introduction consists of three main elements: a hook, building sentences, and a thesis statement. WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE?

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH Hook—The first sentence (or sentences) of an essay should catch the reader’s attention. It introduces the topic of the essay in an interesting way. After the hook, the following sentences should provide background information to give readers some context about the topic. They should ”build“ towards the thesis statement. The thesis statement comes at the end of the introduction. It is the most important sentence in the entire essay because it presents the essay topic and the writer’s position on that topic. It also indicates the main ideas that will be discussed in the body paragraphs.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH—INVERTED PYRAMID

BODY PARAGRAPHS The body of an essay typically consists of three paragraphs. Each body paragraph explains in detail one of the main ideas expressed in the thesis statement. There are three parts to a body paragraph: a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.

WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE? BODY PARAGRAPHS Topic sentence—The first sentence of a body paragraph expresses the topic of the paragraph and provides a controlling idea about the topic. All information in the paragraph supports the controlling idea. Supporting sentences—Supporting sentences explain and develop the topic sentence. They present logical thoughts, evidence, and explanations in support of the controlling idea. Concluding sentence—The paragraph may end with a concluding thought on the paragraph topic. It may also show a transition to the next paragraph. WHAT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE?

BODY PARAGRAPHS Purpose of Body Paragraphs: To support your topic statement using direct quotations, specific textual detail, and strong explanations. Elements of a Body Paragraph: Topic Sentence (CLAIM) Textual Evidence (CITE) Explanation of Evidence (CLARIFY)

CONCLUSION The concluding paragraph ends the essay by reviewing the main ideas from each body paragraph and leaving the reader with a final thought. The conclusion consists of three elements: a restated thesis, a summary of main ideas, and a final thought.

CONCLUSION Restated thesis—At the start of the conclusion, the thesis is restated in words different from those in the introduction. Summary of main ideas—The main ideas from each of the body paragraphs are summarized as a reminder to the reader. Final thought—The writer ends the essay by presenting a final thought on the topic – for example, by stating an opinion, a solution, or a prediction. The final thought should leave a strong impression and encourage the reader to think further about the topic.

ELEMENT 2: TOPIC SENTENCES, THESIS STATEMENTS, AND SUBTOPICS ARE THE HEART Thesis: a statement discussing the topic of your paper. Subtopics: the main ideas that support your thesis. Topic Sentences: a statement that discusses the topic of each paragraph.

THESIS STATEMENT GUIDE The thesis statement is the most important sentence in the essay because it specifically states what the essay will be about. In other words, it states the purpose of the essay. Therefore, a thesis statement should include: the topic of the essay. the writer’s position, opinion, or approach to the topic. the main ideas that will develop and support the writer’s position.

THESIS STATEMENT GUIDE Also note the following about the thesis statement: It appears at the end of the introductory paragraph and, in short essays, is usually one sentence long. The main ideas are listed in the same order as they appear in the essay, which gives the reader a clear preview of what the following paragraphs will be about.

EXAMPLE OF A THESIS STATEMENT Solar power is improving people’s lives in developing countries by providing efficient light safely, linking them to the global mobile community, and increasing their independence. What is this essay going to be about in six words or less? What are the topic sentences of the body paragraphs going to be about?

ELEMENT 3: TRANSITIONS Like shifting from one gear to the next in a car, a transition shifts from one paragraph to the next. It is the glue of an essay. What are some examples of transitional words and phrases that we have discussed in class?

ELEMENT 4: EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES Your evidence is the meat of the essay. You need to prove what you know. Remember the Es: -Examples -Explanations -Evidence -Elaboration Which part of CCC does this apply to?

ELEMENT 5: CONCLUSION Conclusions restate your thesis and subtopics, and remind your reader what you wrote about. Do not include any new information in your conclusion.

RECAP: EXPOSITORY WRITING NEEDS One topic Reasons supporting that topic Details supporting the reasons A conclusion re-stating the reasons Transition words Clear, concise, logical and informative language

LET’S LOOK AT A MODEL EXPOSITORY ESSAY!

EXPOSITORY WRITING PROMPT In this unit, we have analyzed “The Masque of the Red Death” and “Annabel Lee” in great detail. We are going to add one additional text to the mix today. It is a poem by Emily Dickinson called “Because I Could Not Stop for Death.” After reading the new text, reflect on all three texts listed above and respond to the following prompt using the outlined format for expository writing: Discuss how each of the texts symbolically portrays death. Consider death’s appearance, purpose, motive, and/or demeanor.

“BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP FOR DEATH” BY EMILY DICKINSON He kindly stopped for me –  The Carriage held but just Ourselves –  And Immortality.  We slowly drove – He knew no haste  And I had put away  My labor and my leisure too,  For His Civility –  We passed the School, where Children strove  At Recess – in the Ring –  We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –  We passed the Setting Sun –  Or rather – He passed Us –  The Dews drew quivering and Chill –  For only Gossamer, my Gown –  My Tippet – only Tulle –  We paused before a House that seemed  A Swelling of the Ground –  The Roof was scarcely visible –  The Cornice – in the Ground –  Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet  Feels shorter than the Day  I first surmised the Horses' Heads  Were toward Eternity –