1. Expository/Explanatory Essay
Get your laptop.
Turn to page 251 in your myPerspectives binder.
How can literature help us understand how individuals respond to injustice?

2. Start with the Prompt Read the prompt and decide what you need to do.
Tell a story about yourself or talk about a personal experience?  Write a NARRATIVE.
Explain or inform about something?  Write an INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY ESSAY.
Argue or solve a problem in the best way?  Write an ARGUMENT ESSAY.

3. Start with the Prompt (cont’d)
EXAMPLE: Some of the parents at your school have started a campaign to limit the homework that teachers can assign to students. Teachers at your school have argued that the homework is necessary. What is your position? Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.
Is this a NARRATIVE, INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY, or ARGUMENT?

4. Start with the Prompt (cont’d)
EXAMPLE: Tell about a time that you were having difficulty with something. What did you do to try to solve your problem? Were you able to succeed? Did you learn from this experience?
Is this a NARRATIVE, INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY, or ARGUMENT?

5. Start with the Prompt (cont’d)
EXAMPLE: What is your favorite movie? What makes it your favorite movie? Give reasons to support your answer.
Is this a NARRATIVE, INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY, or ARGUMENT?

6. BEFORE YOU PRE-WRITE: Look back at the prompt. Who is your audience?
If the prompt doesn’t tell you specifically, then your audience is an adult (someone you don’t know).
Make sure that the VOICE fits who you are writing to – as well as what you are writing about.

7. Prewriting
Once you know what you need to do, and who you are writing for, you need to PLAN and ORGANIZE.
Narrative?  PLOT LINE Come up with an exposition, rising actions, climax and resolution.
Inform about or explain something?  FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY Come up with a central thesis statement, supporting reasons/details (include TEXTUAL EVIDENCE), and explanations of those reasons.
Argue or solve a problem in the best way?  FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY Come up with a central thesis statement, supporting reasons/details, and explanations of those reasons.

8. Example Prompt:
What do you think is the best holiday of the year? What makes it the best holiday? Provide examples to support your answer.
Is this a NARRATIVE, INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY, or ARGUMENT?
Who is your audience?
How will you plan and organize (plot line or essay)?

9. Let’s Start with Our Prompt
Write an expository essay in which you answer this question: How can literature help us understand how individuals respond to injustice?
Describe the injustice and oppression faced by the people or characters in the selections, and inform the reader about how they responded. Use details from the selections to support your ideas.
Is this a NARRATIVE, INFORMATIVE/EXPLANATORY, or ARGUMENT?
Who is your audience?
How will you plan and organize?

10. Warm-Up: 6 December 2018 Voice Level = Zero
Go to your assigned seat, sit silently, take our your supplies, and put your backpack underneath your desk
Take out your notebook and open to yesterdays notes on explanatory/informative essays
Take out a pencil
Grab your laptop from the LSU, login, lower the lid, and place underneath your desk
When you have completed this, continue to sit silently and wait for further instructions
Voice Level = Zero

11. ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background
Introductory
Paragraph
Bridge/Background
Central Thesis Statement
Paragraphs
Body
Divisions
Ending Statement
Concluding
Paragraph
Summarize
“Clincher” Statement

12. Introductory Paragraph
Attention-Grabber
General
Bridge/Background
Central Thesis Statement
Specific

13. Step 1: Central Thesis Statement
Most important sentence of the essay.
It is the main idea/central idea statement. (Highlighted in green)
Must be written first before planning the essay.
Narrows the topic down to a manageable size.
Always the last sentence of the Introductory paragraph.

14. Step 1: Central Thesis Statement (Cont’d)
Example:
Christmas is the best holiday of the year.
[Opinion]

15. Step 1: Central Thesis Statement (Cont’d)
Now, it’s your turn! In Your notebook, create a Working Thesis.

16. Prewriting – brainstorming
Use your Evidence Logs to find key details you want to include!

17. Step 1: Central Thesis Statement (Cont’d)
Remember: A thesis statement will change and get better as you continue the brainstorming and drafting process. Right now, you are only writing a Working Thesis.
Keep going back to this Thesis and ask yourself: does the Thesis match up with each selection? If you have details in your brainstorming Map that challenge the Thesis Statement, consider revising your Thesis Statement or choose better examples.

18. Step 2: Attention-Grabber
Always the first sentence of the first paragraph
Purpose:
To “hook” the reader
To introduce the subject
NEVER an opinion.
You don’t want your audience to disagree with you right away.
Facts work better.
Your audience can’t disagree with a fact.

19. Step 2: Attention-Grabber (Cont’d)
Example:
Christmas comes only one day a year, but the preparations take months for many Americans.

20. Step 3: Bridge/Background
Gives information and details that will help your reader understand the rest of the essay.
In an informative/expository essay, you should explain information relating to your topic (definitions, and so on).
In an argument essay, you should explain the situation or problem given to you in the prompt.
Ex. The school board is considering requiring students to wear uniforms.
Ex. Many people don’t think that we need to recycle.
Ex. I know that you are looking for someone to get your mail and watch your house while you’re gone, and you told me that I’m not mature enough for the job.
Should be 1-3 sentences.

21. Step 3: Bridge/Background
Example:
Decorations, Santa Claus, caroling, and many other traditions enrich the nature of the holiday. Furthermore, no other holiday creates such excitement, can boast such intrigue, or is planned for over as long a period of time as Christmas. People start saving money, making plans with relatives, and start shopping months before Christmas.

22. Putting It All Together: Introduction Paragraph
Attention-Grabber + Bridge/Background + Central Thesis
Christmas comes only one day a year, but the preparations take months for many Americans. Decorations, Santa Claus, caroling, and many other traditions enrich the nature of the holiday. Furthermore, no other holiday creates such excitement, can boast such intrigue, or is planned for over as long a period of time as Christmas. People start saving money, making plans with relatives, and start shopping months before Christmas. Christmas is the best holiday of the year.

23. ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background
Introductory
Paragraph
Bridge/Background
Central Thesis Statement
Paragraphs
Body
Divisions
Ending Statement
Concluding
Paragraph
Summarize
“Clincher” Statement

24. Body Paragraphs
Divisions

25. Step 4: Divisions
Three paragraphs (2, 3 and 4) which are the body of the essay.
D-1:
1st Body Paragraph (2nd Overall Paragraph)
D-2:
2nd Body Paragraph (3rd Overall Paragraph)
D-3:
3rd Body Paragraph (4th Overall Paragraph)
They are the specific supporting details for the Central Thesis.

26. Division Paragraphs
D-1: First reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, restatement of first reason for thesis.
Each paragraph in the body should be a POWER PARAGRAPH, with:
A topic sentence
Supporting Details/Examples (with transitions)
Restatement of Topic Sentence
D-2: Second reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, restatement of second reason for thesis.
D-3: Third reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, restatement of third reason for thesis.

27. Step 4: Divisions Example D-1:
One of the main reasons Christmas is the best holiday of the year is because of presents.
Thinking of others + Explanations/Examples
Buying, baking, and making gifts + Explanations/Examples
Then you would restate your D-1 main idea statement from above.

28. Step 4: Divisions Example D-2:
Another reason Christmas is one of the best holidays of the year is because of the traditions.
Decorating the tree + Explanations/Examples
Egg nog and parties + Explanations/Examples
Then you would restate your D-2 main idea statement from above.

29. Step 4: Divisions Example D-3:
Finally, perhaps the best reason Christmas is the best holiday of the year is because the celebration promotes family togetherness.
Traveling great distances + Explanations/Examples
Large family meals + Explanations/Examples
Then you would restate your D-3 main idea statement from above.

30. ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background
Introductory
Paragraph
Bridge/Background
Central Thesis Statement
Paragraphs
Body
Divisions
Ending Statement
Concluding
Paragraph
Summarize
“Clincher” Statement

31. Summarize Division Paragraphs
Concluding Paragraph
Ending Statement
Specific
Summarize Division Paragraphs
“Clincher” Statement
General

32. Step 5: Ending Statement
A restatement of the Central Thesis Statement (also highlighted in green).
Basically, the same as the Central Thesis, but using different words.
This is the first sentence of your Concluding Paragraph.

33. Step 5: Ending Statement (Cont’d)
Example:
All holidays are welcomed by most, but the very best holiday is Christmas.

34. Step 6: Summarize Division Paragraphs
Quickly restate or summarize each of your supporting details from your D1, D2, and D3.
This will remind your reader of your reasons.
This is 1-3 sentences.

35. Step 6: Summarize Division Paragraphs (Cont’d)
Example:
Presents, traditions, and family togetherness blend together to create a special holiday unlike any other holiday celebrated by Americans.

36. Step 7: “Clincher” Statement
This is meant to drive home your point.
It helps to write something that affects the reader.
In an informative/expository essay, write a thoughtful ending that is strong and powerful that leaves your reader thinking.
For example:
Connect back to your attention-grabber
End with a personal story (anecdote) related to your topic
Inform the reader what to do with the information in your essay
In an argument essay, write a “Call to Action”
This tells readers what they should do if they agree with you.

37. Step 7: “Clincher” Statement (Cont’d)
Example:
Unquestionably, Christmas is the best holiday because it creates love, joy, and most importantly peace, all of which are the backbone of our society.

38. Peer Revise 1st Partner = Summaries 2nd Partner = Quote Analysis
Title and author
3-4 sentences
Only major details
2nd Partner = Quote Analysis
Does the explanation connect to the topic sentence?
2-3 sentences

39. Peer Edit 1st Partner = Personal Pronouns and Contractions
Remove all personal pronouns that are not in quotes (i.e. I, me, we, us, you, your)
Change all contractions (i.e. can’t cannot, didn’t did not)
2nd Partner = Transitions and Citations
Do they have transitions in the beginning of their division paragraphs?
Did they cite correctly each time they used a quote? “ “(Author’s last name, pg. 3).
3rd Partner = Rubric
Go over the rubric one component at a time and give feedback