Expository Essays Intended to explain, inform, illustrate, or define

Format Introduction Introduction Two or more body paragraphs Two or more body paragraphs Conclusion Conclusion Two body paragraphs=four paragraph essay Two body paragraphs=four paragraph essay Three body paragraphs=five paragraph essay Three body paragraphs=five paragraph essay

Introduction An introduction should be at least four sentences long. An introduction should be at least four sentences long. It should move from broad to specific. It should move from broad to specific. It contains (one sentence each): It contains (one sentence each): Attention Grabber – general, 1+ sentence(s) Attention Grabber – general, 1+ sentence(s) ask a question, state an alarming fact, problem, or statistic, define an important word, or use a quote—HOOK! ask a question, state an alarming fact, problem, or statistic, define an important word, or use a quote—HOOK! Background Info – narrows the focus (when dealing with literature, include author and title) Background Info – narrows the focus (when dealing with literature, include author and title) Central/Controlling Idea – what the essay should prove Central/Controlling Idea – what the essay should prove Thesis Statement – how your essay is organized in order to prove your central idea Thesis Statement – how your essay is organized in order to prove your central idea

Body Paragraphs A body paragraph expands the topic. This is where you explain, inform, illustrate, or define. A body paragraph expands the topic. This is where you explain, inform, illustrate, or define. It contains: It contains: Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Major Support Major Support Minor Support Minor Support Commentary Commentary Minor Support Minor Support Commentary Commentary Transition Transition Major Support Major Support Minor Support Minor Support Commentary Commentary Minor Support Minor Support Commentary Commentary Transition Transition Concluding Sentence Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentence one statement; particular point from the thesis; how you will support the central idea (not a simple fact/quote/summary) one statement; particular point from the thesis; how you will support the central idea (not a simple fact/quote/summary) First sentence First sentence main point main point DOES NOT: DOES NOT: Contain direct quotations Contain direct quotations Contain a rhetorical question Contain a rhetorical question Summarize the plot Summarize the plot State a fact State a fact

Example Topic Sentence Atticus Finch is a character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is a character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is a courageous character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is a courageous character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

Major Support support for the topic sentence support for the topic sentence Answers: “How is my topic sentence true?” “What makes my topic sentence valid?” or “Why is my topic sentence true?” Answers: “How is my topic sentence true?” “What makes my topic sentence valid?” or “Why is my topic sentence true?” DOES NOT DOES NOT Contain direct quotations Contain direct quotations State a fact (instead, explain) State a fact (instead, explain) Summarize the plot Summarize the plot

Minor Support SPECIFIC EVIDENCE SPECIFIC EVIDENCE textual evidence or quotes, examples, facts, details, etc. textual evidence or quotes, examples, facts, details, etc. Must have lead-in Must have lead-in Must make sense Must make sense Should support the topic sentence fully Should support the topic sentence fully DOES NOT DOES NOT Summarize Summarize Appear without commentary Appear without commentary

Commentary Analyze the minors Analyze the minors Explain the minors in relation to your assertion in the topic sentence (“So what?” and “Why is this important?”) Explain the minors in relation to your assertion in the topic sentence (“So what?” and “Why is this important?”) See notes on lead-ins and citations for ideas of what to write See notes on lead-ins and citations for ideas of what to write

Commentary DOES NOT: Summarize Contain direct quotations Summarize Contain direct quotations Use “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” or “In my opinion” Use “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” or “In my opinion” Repeat the major support Repeat the major support Restate something that can be found directly in the text Restate something that can be found directly in the text Explain lessons the characters learn Explain lessons the characters learn Paraphrase minor supports Paraphrase minor supports

Transition words/phrases/clauses which link ideas Makes the paragraph easier to read words/phrases/clauses which link ideas Makes the paragraph easier to read Flows Flows Not formulaic (first, second, third, next, finally, in conclusion) Not formulaic (first, second, third, next, finally, in conclusion)

Concluding Sentence Restates the topic sentence CREATIVELY Restates the topic sentence CREATIVELY sense of closure sense of closure DOES NOT: DOES NOT: Contain direct quotations Contain direct quotations Contain a rhetorical question Contain a rhetorical question Summarize Summarize Give new information Give new information

Conclusion sense of closure and completion sense of closure and completion It contains: It contains: Restating the Thesis –different words to bring the reader back to the overall point Restating the Thesis –different words to bring the reader back to the overall point Referring to Main Points –usually major supports Referring to Main Points –usually major supports Strong Closing Statement – satisfying and powerful Strong Closing Statement – satisfying and powerful

Things to Avoid in Essays Do not speak directly to your audience (do not use second person—you). Do not give a moral to the story or tell them what they should take away from your essay. Do not speak directly to your audience (do not use second person—you). Do not give a moral to the story or tell them what they should take away from your essay. Do not end with a question. Do not end with a question. Do not use first person (I, me) Do not use first person (I, me) Do not use contractions. Write them out. Do not use contractions. Write them out.