1. Students First Focus on the PAC (and use color – P: RED / A: BLUE / C: GREEN) Purpose: Why am I writing? To… (explain, give the reason why, persuade, inform, describe, compare, etc.) Audience: To whom am I writing? (this will influence the word choice, sentence structure, and content) Context/Occasion (Task): Where am I? In what social, historical, or cultural situation? What are the circumstances? In what format should I write (essay, letter, speech, editorial, article, etc.)?

2. Focus on the PAC SAMPLE: WHAT IS THE PAC IN THIS PROMPT? Write a letter to a celebrity that explains why you see him or her as a role model.

3. Focus on the PAC Purpose: to explain why you see _____ as a role model. Audience: Chosen celebrity Context: Current day; letter format

4. Focus on the PAC Everyone has a favorite holiday. Think about the holiday you enjoy more than any other one. Tell what you favorite holiday is and explain why. What is the PAC?

5. Focus on the PAC Purpose: To explain why _____ is my favorite holiday. Audience: reader/teacher Context: No specific situation or circumstance; essay format

6. Ways to Elaborate

7. 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…

8. 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…

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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!

12. 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________...

13. 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…

14. 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.

15. Activity 1. Miss Maggie was a _____ kind of person. 2. Give an explanation of why she was _____. 3. Give an example of her being _____. 4. You will be assigned a number. Based on that number, write one more sentence about Miss Maggie using the elaboration method indicated. Literal DescriptionFigurative Description NarrativeCause-Effect Compare-ContrastOther’s Experiences

16. Activity: As a group, use Slade from this picture. 1. He (Give him a Name) was a _____ kind of person. 2. Give an explanation of why s/he was _____. 3. Give an example of her/him being _____. 4. Elaboration. 5. Elaboration. Don’t forget to tie it all together with a big red bow!

17. Activity: On your own, choose a person from this picture. 1. He (give him a name)was a _____ kind of person. 2. Give an explanation of why s/he was _____. 3. Give an example of her/him being _____. 4. You will be assigned another elaboration technique. Don’t forget to tie it all together with a big red bow!

18. Sample Activity: Julius Caesar Paragraph Now write a short paragraph describing a character in Julius Caesar. Choose any character you have met so far. ______ is a ______ kind of character. Explain Give Example Use at least TWO other elaboration methods. Red Bow Concluding Sentence.

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

20. Ticket out the Door Write a paragraph that answers the prompt below. Be sure to identify the PAC before you start writing. PROMPT: Who is Ender? (If you have not read, use a character from another piece of literature.) Write a paragraph in which you explain their personality to someone who has never met them. Topic Sentence Explain Example 2 Elaboration Strategies Red Bow Conclusion