1. The Format of an Expository Essay vs
The Format of an Expository Essay vs. the Format of a Critical Response Essay

2. What is an essay?
A multi-paragraph writing that follows a certain writing structure. The structure will include the following: 1. Introduction Paragraph 2. Body Paragraphs (3 is typical) 3. Conclusion Paragraph

3. What are the elements required in the introduction paragraph of an expository essay?
Start with a HOOK (A quote, question, a definition of a vocabulary term, or a scenario relating to the topic of the essay can be used as a HOOK)
BACKGROUND information for the topic of the essay (Statistics and general facts regarding the topic of the essay can be used as the BACKGROUND)
THESIS statement (The answer to the prompt plus three (3) REASONS as to why your answer is what it is)
Expository Essay’s Purpose: To explain, to define, or to inform about a certain topic.

4. An Example of a Thesis Statement!
The author of the article “Fast Foods Kill” states that fast foods cause death among people in the United States because they cause cancer, heart attack, and high blood pressure.

5. What is needed in the body paragraph 1 of an expository essay?
1. Topic Sentence (Reason 1)
2. Concrete Detail 1 to support Reason 1
3. Commentary 1
4. Concrete Detail 2 to support Reason 1
5. Commentary 2
Concluding Sentence
*DON’T FORGET TO USE APPROPRIATE TRANSITIONS*

6. What is needed in the body paragraph 2 of an expository essay?
1. Topic Sentence (Reason 2)
2. Concrete Detail 1 to support Reason 2
3. Commentary 1
4. Concrete Detail 2 to support Reason 2
5. Commentary 2
Concluding Sentence
*DON’T FORGET TO USE APPROPRIATE TRANSITIONS*

7. What is needed in the body paragraph 3 of an expository essay?
1. Topic Sentence (Reason 3)
2. Concrete Detail 1 to support Reason 3
3. Commentary 1
4. Concrete Detail 2 to support Reason 3
5. Commentary 2
Concluding Sentence
*DON’T FORGET TO USE APPROPRIATE TRANSITIONS*

8. What is required in the concluding paragraph of an expository essay?
Restate the THESIS STATEMENT
Discuss global or world connection
The writer’s opinion regarding the topic that will leave the reader pondering/thinking.

9. How is the structure of the critical response essay similar or different from the expository essay?
Introduction Paragraph
2. Body Paragraphs (3 is typical)
3. Concluding Paragraph
But what is written in each paragraph is different!

10. What is required in the introduction paragraph of the critical response essay?
Start with a HOOK (A quote, question, a definition of a vocabulary term, or a scenario relating to the topic of the essay can be used as a HOOK)
BACKGROUND information for the topic of the essay (The summary of the narrative/novel can be used as the BACKGROUND)
THESIS statement (The GTA and Main Idea (the answer to the prompt))
Critical Response Essay’s Purpose: To persuade or to show one’s understanding of the narrative/novel (text).

11. What is required in each body paragraph of a critical response essay?
Topic Sentence (TS)
Concrete Detail (with correct citations)
Commentary Sentences (2 Sentences)
Concluding Sentence
Basically, the Jane Schaffer Writing Model.
*Repeat the format above three times for the three body paragraphs*

12. What does the concluding paragraph of a critical response look like?
Restate the introduction paragraph
Restate the topic sentences in each body paragraph.
Discuss global or world connection
The writer’s opinion regarding the topic that will leave the reader pondering/thinking.