THE EXPOSITORY ESSAY – Flashcards

PURPOSE: to describe or explain a concept or idea using factual information or quotes to support your writing.

INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Including: General introduction sentence At least 3 sentences, which begin to describe what you will be discussing in your paper, and gradually narrow to your Thesis statement, which states what your paper will be aboutINTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: Including: General introduction sentence At least 3 sentences, which begin to describe what you will be discussing in your paper, and gradually narrow to your Thesis statement, which states what your paper will be about

The first few sentences should grab the reader's attention. You can: Share some thought provoking details about the subject Ask your reader a challenging question Begin with an informative quotation Provide a dramatic, eye-opening statement Open with some thoughtful dialogue or and engaging story2. Next, provide some background information about your topic. This can include: interesting facts, definitions of important terms, or an introduction to characters or a story 3. The final sentence in the paragraph should be the thesis statement which states the purpose of your essay.

True or False 1. Introductions can begin with a provoking question. (true)2. Introductory paragraphs can begin by focusing on a serious problem. ( false) 3. Introductions can begin with an apology for not being an expert on the subject you are writing. ( false) 4. Your introductory paragraph can open with an exciting or interesting observation. (true) 5. Your should start with a statement like, "I have been asked to write about..." (False)

A specific subject + a stand or feeling about the subject= thesis It is: a one sentence summary of the whole essay (it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper) Directly answers the question asked of you a single sentence the last sentence of your introduction that presents your argument to the reader How do I know if my thesis is strong? It focuses on a particular feature or feeling about the subject It is stated in a clear, direct sentence It can be supported with convincing facts or details It answers the question being asked

Homelessness in America + Feeling or stand= THESIS 2. Subject + is in jeopardy if government does not begin enforcing regulations= THESIS 3. Robert Frost's poetry + Feeling or stand= THESIS 4. Subject + should be banned in public areas= THESIS

BODY PARAGRAPHS: Including: Topic sentence At least 3 concrete details that support topic (these must be fact based) At least 2 commentary sentences that support each concrete detail Conclusion sentence

Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence. Topic sentence: tells the reader what the paragraph will be about Your Paragraph Subject + what you'll be saying about the subject = Topic SentenceEach body paragraph should have at least 3 examples or details that support your topic. Transitions help to differentiate between each new concrete detail Each body paragraph should have 2 sentences of commentary that help to explain how the concrete detail is related to the thesis statement Each body paragraph should end with a conclusion sentence or a transition sentence Transition sentence: should connect, or tie together, the current paragraph to the one that will follow it. Conclusion sentence: should remind readers of your subject and keep your readers thinking.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH: Including: Thesis statement restated in different words At least 3 sentences, which review the main points Final concluding sentence that leaves the reader thinking

1. Restate your thesis (re-arrange, use DIFFERENT words.) 2. Answer any questions left unanswered in the middle paragraphs. 3. Review and emphasize the main points. 4. Give the reader a lasting impression by connecting to the subject to his or her own life or a concept or quote to leave them thinking.

* Begin with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as "in conclusion," "in summary," or "in closing." Although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as wooden and trite in writing. * State the thesis for the very first time in the conclusion. * Introduce a new idea or subtopic in your conclusion. * End with a rephrased thesis statement without any substantive changes. * Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper.