Elaboration Strategies

1. Elaboration Strategies

2. Explain • Tell what you mean. • EX: This color is not right for you. In other words, you look dull in beige and should wear blue like your eyes. • Transitions: This means that…, To clarify…, To explicate…, In other words…

3. Exemplify • Give an example • EX: My brother helps me out when I am in trouble. Yesterday, for example, I missed the bus and he drove me to school. I had a test first period, and he didn’t want me to fail. • Transitions: For example… (should ALWAYS be embedded), For instance…, An example of…, To exemplify…

4. Literal Description • Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using concrete nouns, specific adjectives, and strong verbs. • EX: My bedroom looks good now because I redecorated. I purchased a black and white striped comforter and three firm, round black pillows to toss on it.

5. Figurative Description • Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc.). • EX: My bedroom looks good now because I redecorated. My bed looks like a zebra with its black and white striped comforter.

6. Narrative • Relate a personal experience to show what you mean. • EX: Grandpa Tom has a great sense of humor. One time when I was visiting his grocery store, I watched him cut up chickens. He gave me a chicken head and told me that if I planted it in the garden and didn’t disturb it for three weeks, I’d have a chicken bush. I took the chicken head home and buried it; but, after only three days, my curiosity overcame me and I dug it up. When I told Grandpa Tom that nothing was growing, he said it was too bad because it would only work once; he knew I couldn’t wait three days without looking! • NOTE: NO MORE THAN FIVE SENTENCES FOR A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!

7. Cause and Effect • Giving the reasons an event happened or the results of the event. • EX: Because Grandpa Tom had such a great sense of humor, he always made us laugh. • Transitions: Because_____happened…, As a result of________...

8. Comparison/Contrast • Giving similarities and/or differences between two or more things. • EX: Grandpa Tom had a wonderful sense of humor in contrast to grouchy Grandma Susie. • Transitions: In contrast to…, This contrasts…, On the other hand…, In comparison to…, Similar to…

9. The Use of Other’s Experiences • Giving specifics through other people’s words. • EX: My father once told me that he enjoyed Grandpa’s jokes and laughter.

10. Red Bow Conclusion • After you have elaborated, you will need to tie it all together with a red bow… your CONCLUSION SENTENCE.

11. Review: Ways to Elaborate • Explain • Example • Literal Description • Figurative Description • Narrative • Compare/Contrast • Cause/Effect • Other’s Experiences • E • E • L • F • N • C • C • O

12. Assignment – 50 points PROMPT: In a strong, informative paragraph , demonstrate the use of at least 5 pieces of textual evidence (explanation, examples, literal descriptions, figurative description, narrative, cause/effect, and compare/contrast), explaining the essence (individual nature – personality) of who Frederick Douglass was. Topic Sentence referencing Douglass Explanation Sentence 5 Elaboration Strategies using textual evidence Red Bow Conclusion