Crafting an Expository Essay

What is expository writing/why do we use it?

• Writing that explains, describes, or discusses a topic

• built around a thesis statement

• includes factual evidence to explain and support the thesis statement

• used to…

  • examine and communicate complex ideas in a clear and accurate way

  • show comprehension of an idea

Statement of Understanding

• one sentence that reiterates the meaning of the readings in consideration

• shows understanding of the common purpose of both texts

• does NOT say what each text is specifically about

Thesis Statement

• one well-written statement that includes claim and reasons

• “preview” of the essay in one sentence that belongs at the end of the introduction

• Structurally includes: specific claim + 3 reasons

  • (Claim) because (reason 1), (reason 2), (reason 3)

Introduction

1. Statement of Understanding should be first sentence

2. GTAP should be next two sentences

3. Thesis Statement should be last sentence

   *Include transitions in between sentences to flow nicely

GTAP

Genre, Title, Author, Purpose -

• Sentence that introduces first citation using the above acronym

• Second Sentence that introduces second citation using the above acronym

Body Paragraphs

1. Topic sentence that connects directly back to reasons (in order) in thesis statement.

2. Quote introduction that includes context for the quote

3. Evidence 1 and in-text citation (author last name + paragraph #)

4. Tell reader what your quote reveals/what you want them to take away from the quote

5. Show your reader how your evidence supports your topic sentence.

6. Repeat steps 2-5

7. Conclusion sentence that wraps up the idea of the paragraph and transitions into the idea of the next paragraph (except in final body paragraph)

Conclusion

1. Revisit, do not copy, Statement of Understanding from introduction

2. Re-state overall claim and thesis statement using different words than in the thesis statement.

3. Leave your reader with something to think about that will appeal to a wider audience. Start with “People…” to keep from being too specific.

Literary Devices used by authors to convey meaning/purpose

• Theme - author’s big idea message about humanity

• P.O.V. - perspective from which the story is told

• Setting - where and when the story takes place

• Tone - author’s attitude toward the subject/characters/audience

• Word Choice - deliberate/intentional word choices

• Characterization - how a character is portrayed and developed

Rhetorical devices used to convey meaning

• Ethos, Pathos, and Logos - credibility, emotions, logic

• Repetition - creates clarity and/or emphasis

• P.O.V. - creates bias, intimacy, objectivity, etc.

• Tone - author’s attitude towards subject

• Powerful Words - deliberate and intentional word choices for a purpose

• Allusions - makes indirect reference to something

  NOT A FULL LIST OF TERMS