1. Explicating Literature
This, too, is expository writing

2. Explication Explication evaluates literature by analyzing its elements
Plot
Setting
Character
Tone and Mood
Theme
Point-of-View
Symbolism

3. Explication
Requires you to use information from the text to prove your statements about the selection (very much like you use test results to prove a hypothesis in science)
Explication questions often ask you to
Discuss
Describe
Summarize
Compare/contrast

4. Discuss When asked to discuss, you may Explain Give examples Define
Show how you know (where did you find the information or ideas)

5. Describe When asked to describe, you may Define the characteristics
Use adjectives
Create a picture with words
When describing characters, write about what they say, what they do, how they relate to other characters

6. Compare/Contrast
Comparison illustrates how things or people are similar.
Contrast illustrates how things or people are different.
Pay careful attention to these words in directions.

7. Summarize
Summarizing is an important way to process information. In addition to being part of explication, you may use summarizing to
Take notes on lectures
Take notes on reading
Take notes on research
Take notes on viewing

8. Plagiarism
It is important to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is a fancy word for copying someone else’s work and words. Legally, it is a crime to copy an author’s work from a book, song, video, etc. In school, copying is considered cheating. Letting someone copy from you is also considered cheating. Homework and classwork should not be copied or done “together” unless directed to do so.

9. Summarizing
Do not copy or “cut and paste” large sections of text. This is plagiarism (cheating) and will receive NO credit
Do “cite”: select pieces of text that illustrate main ideas, key facts, important vocabulary. Use quotation marks around citations and identify sources. This rule applies to pictures and graphics, as well.

10. Summarizing
Paraphrase and summarize the important information in your own words.
Interpret and use the information to reach conclusions, draw inferences, and make predictions.

11. Be Text-Based
Do use specific language from the text in your response to demonstrate the way that the text relates to your topic or question.
Remember that reading questions ask what the text (author) says, not only what you think. If a question asks your opinion, you still need to support it with text that supports your point.

12. A+ Explication
A+ explication connects your discussion of the text to your own experience and to other related knowledge
A+ explication summarizes relevant facts from the text, interpreting and reflecting on their significance as you write