Purpose of Informative/Expository Writing  Explains  Describes  Illustrates  Defines  Informs

Expository/Informative Essay Structure  Introductory Paragraph  Body Paragraphs (2 or more)  Concluding Paragraph

Introductory Paragraph Attention Grabber / Hook Background Information about the Central Idea Thesis General Specific

Introduction: Attention Grabber / Hook What it is NOT Unrelated to prompt Not a sentence or question with “you” in it Not too specific Not a sentence with title/author in it (literary) What’s Its Purpose? Hooks reader’s attention 1st sentence(s) of intro. paragraph General/broad concept related to some aspect of prompt

Introduction: Background Information What it is NOT Not too specific to prompt yet Not analysis Not a sentence with subtopics in it Not a quote from text Not extensive plot summary What’s Its Purpose? Provides context for reader (historical) Provides link between grabber and specifics of prompt LITERARY: TAGG statement (title, author, genre, gist of the story)

Introduction: Central/Controlling Idea What it is NOT Not plot detail Not a basic fact Not something that cannot be proven or already is proven Not a quote from text Not unrelated to prompt Function/Purpose Connected directly to analysis part of prompt and commentary Provides analysis writer is asserting/ can be proven If about literature, usually about theme, purpose, impact on reader, tone, etc. Can be combined with the thesis

Introduction: Thesis What it is NOT Not a plot detail Not a basic fact Not a quote from text Function/Purpose Provides content and organization of paper Includes subtopics that will be used to prove central idea (subtopics will be topics of body paragraphs) Belongs in last sentence of introduction

Body Paragraph: PEEL Process Topic Sentence Point Support A (Major)  Evidence (Minor)  Evidence  Commentary/ EXplanation Support B  Evidence  Commentary/ Explanation  Concluding Sentence/Links the point to the next point in the following paragraph This is your analysis. Restates / reaffirms your topic sentence and links it (point) to the next point in the following paragraph. Your assertion the paragraph will prove with evidence.

PEEL STRATEGY

Body Paragraph: Point Sentence: PEEL What it is NOT  Not a plot detail  Not a basic fact  Not a quote from text  Not a sentence that cannot be or already is proven (ie, “Scout is one of the main characters in the novel.”) Bad! Function/Purpose States main idea AND assertion for each body paragraph Tied directly to thesis First sentence of body paragraph Should be able to read T.S. and ask, “ How so? ”

Body Paragraph: PEEL Support/Evidence What it is NOT  Not too specific  Not a quote  Not analysis Function/Purpose At least two per paragraph Ways in which the assertion given in topic sentence can be proven Answers, “How so?” from topic sentence

Body Paragraph: Evidence PEEL What it is NOT  Not a question  Not analysis  Not irrelevant examples or details Function/Purpose Specific quotes, concrete details, anecdotes, etc. to illustrate each support 2 pieces of evidence from the text for each support 1 quote in literary analysis minimum for each support

Body Paragraph: Commentary/Explain PEEL What it is NOT Not plot summary or detail Not restatement of majors/minors/quotes Not unrelated to prompt No critique of book or advice to the reader Function/Purpose Writer ’ s analysis connecting evidence to the topic sentence/claim If about literature, usually about theme, purpose, impact on reader, tone, etc. A “ This shows that …” statement

Tips for Commentary When writing commentary, ask yourself: Why did I choose this evidence? Why is it significant to prove my topic/claim? How does this evidence prove my topic/claim? What effect does this evidence have on my reader?

Body Paragraph: Concluding Sentence/Links - PEEL What it is NOT No quote from text No introduction of new idea Not exact wording as topic sentence Function/Purpose Provides closure for body paragraphs Last sentence of body paragraphs Restates topic sentence Links to the Point of the next paragraph May be optional in shorter essays

Concluding Paragraph Restate Thesis Summarize main ideas Conclude with final thought-provoking, memorable insight Specific General

Concluding Paragraph What it is NOT Does not start with “In conclusion…” Not word-for-word restatement of thesis/ central idea No new information introduced Do not end on a question Do not include “lesson” for your readers  Function/Purpose Provides closure for essay Restatement of thesis/ central idea using different wording Brief summary of main ideas presented in essay (esp. in longer essay) Final thought- provoking/ memorable (relevant) insight

Things to AVOID in your essay First person pronouns (“I,” “me,” etc.) Second person pronouns (“you,” “your,” etc.) Contractions (“It’s,” “They’re,” etc.) Slang