1. Expository Essays Explain An expository essay is an investigative document that requires a student to research and evaluate information about an idea; its thesis is a focused statement that the student's evidence clarifies. An expository essay explains, for example, how the events of Pearl Harbor devastated a nation. Persuasive Essays Debate A persuasive or argumentative essay's thesis is a debatable point; the essay presents evidence not to explain but to support an argument or advocate a particular viewpoint. A persuasive paper might argue, "Pearl Harbor was a catastrophe that President Roosevelt could have averted."

2. DEFINE TRANSITION IN YOUR OWN WORDS, AS IT PERTAINS TO WRITING. You can look it up. Once you have the definition, identify examples of transition from your own writing, if they are present. Make a list in your journal!

3. Pick up your paper from the sink. In your journal, write down all of the transitions that you used in your essay. Answer the following prompt: How do you know which transition to use when you are writing? Does your writing purpose play a role in which transition you use?

4. TRANSITIONS 1.Writers logically organize their thoughts and details in patterns. 2.Understanding these patterns can help you write a cohesive and organized essay. The following are the most common types of patters of organization in writing:

5. AS WE GO THROUGH THESE: MAKE A TREE MAP IN YOUR JOURNAL THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS: TRANSITIONS: You will place each classification name at the top of this line… There will be 8 classifications. Define each classification in your own words, in this space below the line. Underneath each classification, you will then list each transition that fits under that classification…

6. ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS: You can classify all transitions under these patterns. 1.Time Order/ Process: Ideas or events are presented in the order they occur. Sequences are told through dates, times, and numbers. Processes are explained through steps or stages. 2.Listing Patterns: Items are named or listed as the details and the order of the details is not important.

7. ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS: You can classify all transitions under these patterns. 3.Addition: This pattern is actually a form of listing. Changing the order of the details does not change their meaning. Transitions of addition indicate that the writer is using a second idea along with the first one. 4.Definition Pattern: A definition is given to explain a new, difficult, or special term. Examples are provided for clarity. *These are clarifying statement transitions.

8. ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS: You can classify all transitions under these patterns. 5.Generalization and Examples: In this pattern the author gives a general statement or idea that is supported by one or more examples. In this pattern look for a topic sentence that is supported by one or more examples. 6.Classification: Ideas are sorted into smaller groups and then the traits of each group are described. Because the groups are listed, transitions of addition are used in this thought pattern along with transition that indicate groups. IE: type, group, variety, kinds, division.

9. ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS: You can classify all transitions under these patterns. 7.Compare and Contrast: This pattern emphasizes the similarities or difference between two or more items. In comparison, writers show the way two or more ideas are the same; in contrast, writers show the way two or more ideas are different. The focus can be on just similarities or just differences or a combination of both. *Analytical writing!* 8.Cause and Effect: The pattern describes or discusses an event or action that is caused by another event or action. *Analytical writing!*

10. CLASSIFY THE FOLLOWING TRANSITIONS! 1.Find the appropriate classification for transition you were given. 2.Make an anchor chart for the classification of the group that you end up in…

11. CLARIFYING STATEMENTS: Helps you flush out ideas by extending paragraphs Makes sure your reader understands CLARIFIES the reasons you have given for your stance or explanation.

12. CLARIFYING STATEMENTS One way to clarify is to write a sentence of explanation; in other words, a restatement of the reason in different words. Another way to do this is to provide general examples. Additionally, the writer can use personal experiences or the experiences of others to explain (REAL WORLD = CONCRETE! )

13. PARAGRAPH OUTLINE (SAR OUTLINE) Reason #1: – (Definition transition) – To clarify, – In other words, – This is another way to say … (Example transition) – For example, – For instance, So what?: – (Tie all of that together with a statement that related what you said back to your thesis and main idea/ stance.)

14. CLARIFYING STATEMENTS Reason #1: – Teachers need to be masters in their content. (Definition transition) – To clarify, it is vital to student success that teachers be experts in their field of study. (Example transition) – For example, in Mr. Childress’ 9 th grade math class, there was a handful of students who performed above the 9 th grade expected level. Mr. Childress had a masters degree in his field, making him, an expert. As a result, he was able to challenge those students with 10 th grade math concepts. If he had not been an expert in all levels of math, than those students might not have been challenged, therefore they would not have performed to their capabilities. So what? (Why does any of this matter? How does what you said ^here^ help you prove your point? – While teachers with mere bachelors degrees could have done the same as Mr. Childress, a teacher who is a masters is more capable to challenging their students to higher levels of thinking.

15. GRAB YOUR ESSAY AND JOURNAL We’re mapping your essay todays! Highlight each of your reasons in two different colors… In your journal, speculate: What does it mean to have 2 global and distinctly different reasons supporting your thesis? We’re mapping your essay todays! Highlight each of your reasons in two different colors… In your journal, speculate: What does it mean to have 2 global and distinctly different reasons supporting your thesis?

16. QUALITY REASONS: When you have multiple examples to support a statement, the must be both: global in nature and distinctly different. Global in nature means: to identify big ideas that allow for extensive elaboration, rather than selecting limited and specific ideas. When you have multiple examples to support a statement, the must be both: global in nature and distinctly different. Global in nature means: to identify big ideas that allow for extensive elaboration, rather than selecting limited and specific ideas.

18. QUALITY REASONS: GLOBAL IN NATURE IE: Michael Jordan is my hero because he can slam dunk a basketball. --> Bigger Idea ==> Michael Jordan is my hero because he is an outstanding athlete. **This allows you room to elaborate on the fact that he is an outstanding athlete. The fact that he can slam dunk would be a detail or example under the big idea that he is an outstanding athlete. Kahoot

19. Examples – Hypothetical vs. Concrete Hypothetical Definition - adj. 1. having the nature of a hypothesis (guess) 2. assumed or thought to exist Made up EXAMPLE: “If students had more choice in class, they would take more ownership of their work.” Concrete Definition – adj. constituting an actual thing or instance; real: a concrete proof of his sincerity. Real Life Events / Proof Current Events, Historical Events, and Literary Examples. EXAMPLE: “In 2004, a teacher at Washington High School decided to let students choose what they wanted to write their research paper on. As a result….

20. What is an Expository Writing? ‘Expository’ is a synonym of ‘explanatory’. -a piece of writing that explains or informs. It is meant to be based on fact and free of the writer’s prejudices. -Opinion is often expressed, but only if it is backed by fact. http://www.udemy.com/blog/expository-writing-prompts/

21. The expository writing process is centered on four activities: 1.Generate a rough idea or hypothesis. 2.Find evidence to back up this idea. 3.Expound on the idea. 4.Present an argument to back up the idea. http://www.udemy.com/blog/expository-writing-prompts/

22. Structurally, a piece of expository writing has the following components: An introduction that introduces the central idea you’ll talk about in the essay or article. (THESIS) The main body that presents evidence to back up the idea. This is the meat of the essay and should be at least 3-4 paragraphs long. (EVIDENCE) A conclusion that presents your idea again in the light of the evidence. SUMMARY/WRAP-UP = Thus, the central thrust of expository writing should be to build towards proving an argument, fact by fact, evidence by evidence. http://www.udemy.com/blog/expository-writing-prompts/

23. You’ll use expository writing a lot throughout your academic life. Every essay you write in college will be expository in nature. The writing segment of the SAT/GMAT/GRE exams. Most writing you’ll have to do in your professional life will involve a lot of expository content. In other words, sharpening up this skill will serve you well throughout your life. http://www.udemy.com/blog/expository-writing-prompts/