Expository Essay Writing

Writing & Revising

Your Body Paragraphs…

English 10Lauren LeeFall 2011

Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence.

How a Paragraph Looks in Color Code

…Variation on the core elements might include two or more pieces of evidence & additional commentary (interpretative) sentences

Transition From Last Paragraph to Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary Sentence. Commentary Sentence Commentary.

Know Your 5 Sentence Types

• Transition to Topic Sentence is the first sentence and contains the main idea of the paragraph

• Support Sentences develop the main idea in the topic sentence (they expand, clarify, support)

• Text Example Sentences refer to the text for concrete evidence of the main idea-PAGE NUMBER

• Commentary Sentences discuss and analyze the text example and connect it to the main idea

Your Introduction Paragraph Goes Here

Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence Comment Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence.

Transition From Last Idea To New Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence Comment Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence.

Transition From Last Idea To New Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence Comment Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence.

Your Concluding Paragraph Goes Here: Restate thesis, rephrase subarguments and end with a strong statement that sums up the importance of your thesis claim.

What Your Essay Looks Like From a Color Code Perspective…

Another View of the Paragraph in Color Code

Transition into Topic SentenceSupport

Text Example

Comment.

Question: What makes a good Thesis Statement?

Answer: The Thesis Statement argues a particular understanding of a theme or a conflict in the story and how or why it is important. It provides sub-arguments to explain your argument in parts.

To the question: Why is hospitality to strangers so important to the people of Homer’s time as portrayed in The Odyssey?

I might write this Thesis Statement:As portrayed in The Odyssey, people were hospitable

to strangers partly because it was considered honorable to treat foreigners with respect, and also because they wished to be known as virtuous members of their society, but most importantly because the people greatly feared the punishment of the Gods.

Question: What makes a good Topic Sentence?Answer: The Topic Sentence expresses an idea that must be explained or proven.

Here’s a good Topic Sentence:

In Slaughterhouse-Five, the war’s absurdity is expressed in the strange characterization of Billy Pilgrim, who resembles a circus freak more than a traditional war hero.

Here are 2 Less Effective Topic Sentences:

1. Billy Pilgrim survives World War II, a plane crash, and an alien abduction to planet Tralfamadore. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence Comment Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence.

(#1 states a plot point. That’s nice, but there’s nothing to explain or prove. Don’t start a paragraph this way.)

Here is the second Less Effective Topic Sentence:

2. Another wonderful example of this is when Billy is watching television. Support Sentences Support Sentences. Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences Support Sentences. Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence Text Example Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence Comment Sentence. Comment Sentence Comment Sentence.

(#2 lists an example without explanation. Don’t start a paragraph this way.)