1. Exposition of “Plainswoman”
List the events, places, and/or people used in the exposition, or setting up, of “Plainswoman.” (The story is in the orange book and begins on page 8).

2. You the Critic
An exposition sets up a story by providing enough information to readers so that they can understand what is going on from the beginning. Do you think the exposition of “Plainswoman” effectively sets up the story? Support your conclusions. Tip: See page 23 in the orange textbook for the distinguishing features of an effective exposition.

3. Thesis Statement
The exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest effectively sets up the story.

5. 2nd sentence
The exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest effectively sets up the story. The first four paragraphs introduce two main characters, establish the harsh plains setting, and set up a serious mood of fear and anticipation.

6. 3rd sentence
The exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest effectively sets up the story. The first four paragraphs introduce two main characters, establish the harsh plains setting, and set up a serious mood of fear and anticipation. Key background information regarding the absence of Nora’s husband and Nora’s different life in New England is also supplied.

7. Complete Intro Paragraph
The exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest effectively sets up the story. The first four paragraphs introduce two main characters, establish the harsh plains setting, and set up a serious mood of fear and anticipation. Key background information regarding the absence of Nora’s husband and Nora’s different life in New England is also supplied. This information helps readers to understand what is going on from the beginning.

8. Planning the rest of the body
The exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest effectively sets up the story. The first four paragraphs introduce two main characters, establish the harsh plains setting, and set up a serious mood of fear and anticipation. Key background information regarding the absence of Nora’s husband and Nora’s different life in New England is also supplied. This information helps readers to understand what is going on from the beginning.

9. Topic Sentence: Forrest introduces both of the main characters within the first four paragraphs of his story.
Evidence Quotation from Story
What We Learn about Character
“Her pregnancy told her that she should hurry back East” (8).
“who was to do the chores and lessen her fears” (8).
Nora is afraid to have the baby in the plains. She

10. Forrest introduces both of the main characters within the first four paragraphs of his story. Nora is pregnant and wants to go home, as we learn in the quote: “her pregnancy told her that she should hurry back East.” Pleny is the handyman, “who was to do the chores and lessen her fears.” Their interaction centers around his needing to show her the “mortification” of his finger.

11. Next Paragraph: Harsh Plains Setting
Now, create a chart to plan out the next paragraph of the essay. Topic sentence: “The exposition not only indicates who the story will involve, but also where and when it takes place.”

12. “The exposition not only indicates who the story will involve, but also where and when it takes place.”
Evidence Quotation from Story
What We Learn about Setting

13. “The exposition not only indicates who the story will involve, but also where and when it takes place.”
Evidence Quotation from Story
What We Learn about Setting
“The cold of fall was sweeping over the plains”
“gusts of wind and a forbidding iron shadow on the hills…”
Where: plains
when: fall
Winter is harsh

14. The exposition not only indicates who the story will involve, but also where and when it takes place. The setting takes place in the plains during the fall

15. Pair and Share
Work together to write a well-developed paragraph based on your charts. Topic sentence: “The exposition not only indicates who the story will involve, but also where and when it takes place.”
Both of you need written copies of the paragraph.

16. On your own If necessary, finish the setting paragraph.
Plan (chart) and then write the paragraph that shows how the exposition of the story sets up a serious mood of fear and anticipation.

17. the exposition of the story sets up a serious mood of fear and anticipation
Evidence Quotation from Story
What We Learn about Setting

18. On your own If necessary, finish the setting paragraph.
Plan (chart) and then write the paragraph that shows how the exposition of the story sets up a serious mood of fear and anticipation.
Finish early? Write a concluding paragraph for the essay. (See “Conclusions” handout for help.)

19. Literary Analysis Essay
Intro paragraph
Character paragraph
Setting paragraph
Mood paragraph
Key Background Info.
Conclusion paragraph

20. Conclusion
An effective way to conclude an analysis is to return to your thesis and restate it in different words. Try also to give some sense of what is important about the story and what new insights you’ve gained.
Make your conclusion something that readers could think about or argue about after reading the essay.
Challenge yourself to make a more general statement about the story’s importance that is still anchored in the supporting details you have given.

21. Student Model – Intro & Conclusion
Introduction: On the surface, “Tumbleweed” by David Wagoner is about a tumbleweed. The underlying subject of the poem is a certain kind of person. Conclusion: This poem reveals a comparison between tumbleweeds and people. I thought it was humorous in many ways. You can see tumbleweeds along the side of the road. You will also meet many of them. (Concludes with a restatement of interpretation and gives strong response to the text)

22. Conclusion Step One Restate the thesis:
Rewrite the following sentence in a different way: The exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest effectively sets up the story.

23. Conclusion Step Two
Include your restated thesis in a sentence that mentions a counterargument:
Although some readers might think _______________________________________, it is clear that ____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________.
Tips -- copy the sentence above and fill in the blanks . . .
Blank 1 : Fill in with an idea from “the other side.”
Blanks 2-4: Fill in your restated thesis.

24. Conclusion Step Three
Answer at least one of the following in a complete sentence:
What is important about the story “Plainswoman”?
What is a new insight concerning this story that you’ve gained (this week)?
What is something that readers could think about or argue about after reading your essay?
Now add your sentence(s) to the one from the previous step and revise to make them flow together as a brief concluding paragraph.

25. Finishing
When revising, make sure you have provided adequate support for the thesis.
Proofread and edit before making a final copy.
Warning: I strongly recommend that you work alone on your writing – in order to avoid “striking similarities” with the work of others.

26. Grading Rubric for Exposition Essay
The essay clearly and accurately discusses the effectiveness of the short story’s exposition.
The thesis is supported by specific examples of events, places, and/or people from the exposition.
The support is adequate and logically presented.
The essay is free from grammar, usage, and mechanics errors.