Expository Essays

1. Expository Essays Intended to explain, inform, illustrate, or define

2. Format • Introduction • Two or more body paragraphs • Conclusion • Two body paragraphs=four paragraph essay • Three body paragraphs=five paragraph essay

3. Introduction • An introduction should be at least four sentences long. • It should move from broad to specific. • It contains (one sentence each): • Attention Grabber – general, 1+ sentence(s) • ask a question, state an alarming fact, problem, or statistic, define an important word, or use a quote—HOOK! • Background Info – narrows the focus (when dealing with literature, include author and title) • Central/Controlling Idea – what the essay should prove • Thesis Statement – how your essay is organized in order to prove your central idea

4. Body Paragraphs • A body paragraph expands the topic. This is where you explain, inform, illustrate, or define. • It contains: • Topic Sentence • Major Support • Minor Support • Commentary • Minor Support • Commentary • Transition • Major Support • Minor Support • Commentary • Minor Support • Commentary • Transition • Concluding Sentence

5. Topic Sentence • one statement; particular point from the thesis; how you will support the central idea (not a simple fact/quote/summary) • First sentence • main point • DOES NOT: • Contain direct quotations • Contain a rhetorical question • Summarize the plot • State a fact

6. Example Topic Sentence • Atticus Finch is a character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. • Atticus Finch is a courageous character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

7. Major Support • support for the topic sentence • Answers: “How is my topic sentence true?” “What makes my topic sentence valid?” or “Why is my topic sentence true?” • DOES NOT • Contain direct quotations • State a fact (instead, explain) • Summarize the plot

8. Minor Support • SPECIFIC EVIDENCE • textual evidence or quotes, examples, facts, details, etc. • Must have lead-in • Must make sense • Should support the topic sentence fully • DOES NOT • Summarize • Appear without commentary

9. Commentary • Analyze the minors • Explain the minors in relation to your assertion in the topic sentence (“So what?” and “Why is this important?”) • See notes on lead-ins and citations for ideas of what to write

10. Commentary DOES NOT: • Summarize Contain direct quotations • Use “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” or “In my opinion” • Repeat the major support • Restate something that can be found directly in the text • Explain lessons the characters learn • Paraphrase minor supports

11. Transition • words/phrases/clauses which link ideas Makes the paragraph easier to read • Flows • Not formulaic (first, second, third, next, finally, in conclusion)

12. Concluding Sentence • Restates the topic sentence CREATIVELY • sense of closure • DOES NOT: • Contain direct quotations • Contain a rhetorical question • Summarize • Give new information

13. Conclusion • sense of closure and completion • It contains: • Restating the Thesis –different words to bring the reader back to the overall point • Referring to Main Points –usually major supports • Strong Closing Statement – satisfying and powerful

14. Things to Avoid in Essays • Do not speak directly to your audience (do not use second person—you). Do not give a moral to the story or tell them what they should take away from your essay. • Do not end with a question. • Do not use first person (I, me) • Do not use contractions. Write them out.