Hooks, Transitions, Conclusions Expository Writing Hooks, Transitions, Conclusions

What is Expository Writing? Provides an explanation of a specific topic. Gives facts, reasons, explanations, or examples with supporting details about the topic. Should always include a main idea, logical reasons, sufficient supporting details, and a conclusion.

Text Structure The framework of a texts’ beginning (introduction), middle (body paragraphs), & ending (conclusion). Introductions and conclusions help link the text into a coherent whole. Intro has strong thesis & tells the audience what to expect. Concl restates thesis and summarizes body paragraphs.

Introduction: Hooking Your Audience Lead or Hook Orients the reader to the purpose of the writing by introducing topic, thesis, or argument Use techniques such as dialogue, flashback, description, inner thoughts, and jumping right into the action Thesis: main point or focus of your writing (Subject + Opinion)

What’s in the Middle? Sequence: uses time or spatial order as organizing structure Description: used to describe the characteristics of a specific subject Cause and Effect: used to show causal relationships between events Comparison and Contrast: used to explain how two or more objects are similar or different Problem and Solution: requires writers to state a problem and come up with a solution

Endings: Beyond “Happily Ever After” Signals the end Restate the Thesis Leaves the reader with something important to remember DO NOT introduce new information Forecast the future Call for Action Discuss implications DO NOT use the transition, “In conclusion…”

Transition Words There are six categories of transition words: Spatial order. Words used in descriptive writing to signal spatial relationships, such as above, below, beside, nearby, beyond, inside, and outside. Time order. Words used in writing narratives, and instructions to signal chronological sequence, such as before, after, first, next, then, when, finally, while, as, during, earlier, later, and meanwhile. Numerical order. Words used in expository writing to signal order of importance, such as first, second, also, finally, in addition, equally important, and more or less importantly.

Transition Words (cont.) Cause/effect order. Words used in expository writing to signal causal relationships, such as because, since, for, so, as a result, consequently, thus, and hence. Comparison/contrast order. Words used in expository writing to signal similarities and differences, such as (for similarities) also, additionally, just as, as if, as though, like, and similarly; and (for differences) but, yet, only, although, whereas, in contrast, conversely, however, on the other hand, rather, instead, in spite of, and nevertheless. General/specific order. Words used in descriptive reports and arguments to signal more specific elaboration on an idea, such as for example, such as, like, namely, for instance, that is, in fact, in other words, and indeed.

Organizing Your Writing BE SURE TO ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ESSAY: Does your piece have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Does your piece have a strong beginning that hooks the reader? Does your piece have a strong ending that fits the focus? Are the ideas and actions connected to each other? Can your reader follow the piece logically from beginning to end? Is it complete? Does it feel finished?

MLA Format MLA (Modern Language Association) MLA regulates: Document format In-text citations Works cited (a list of all sources used in a paper) Purdue OWL

MLA (cont.) 2009-7th edition updates include: No more underlining (only use italics) Inclusion of the publication medium (e.g. Print, Web, etc.) New abbreviations (e.g. “N.p.” for “no publisher given”) Purdue OWL

MLA Paper Should… Be typed on white 8.5” by 11” paper Double-space everything Use 12-point font in Times New Roman Leave only once space between punctuation Set all margins to 1” on all sides Indent the first line of paragraphs Purdue OWL

MLA Paper Should… Have a header with page numbers in the upper right-hand corner (Last Name 1) Use italics for titles Works Cited page on separate page Purdue OWL

Formatting the 1st Page The 1st page on a MLA Style paper will: Have no title page Double space everything List your name, your instructor’s name, the course, and the date in the upper left-hand corner Center the paper title (use standard caps, but no underlining, italics, quote marks, or bold typefaced) Purdue OWL

In-Text Citation: The Basics Within the text MLA uses parenthetical citations: The format of parenthetical citations depends upon the medium (e.g. Print, Web, DVD, etc.) Parenthetical citations also depend upon the source’s entry in the Works Cited page (the signal word in the text is the first thing in the corresponding Works Cited source) Purdue OWL

In-Text Examples Author-Page Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). Works Cited Reference: Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. London: Oxford UP, 1967. Print. Purdue OWL

Need Help With MLA Format? Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab provides free updated and accurate MLA formatting guidelines and examples. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ Purdue OWL

Work Cited The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, 2008. Web. 12 Nov. 2015