1. Writing an Explanatory essay-Quote by Miss D. Valente School No. 14
On the state test 6th -8th graders may be given an Explanatory Essay about a quote or adage.  You will have to read a famous quote or adage and explain what it means.  You will have 30 minutes.  Below is a formula which will help you organize your ideas and support your explanation.

2. Read Aloud: Cherish Today by Kristina Evans
Vocabulary: Persevere – to keep going; not give up
Quote: “Success is measured not only by what we’ve achieved, but also by how we embrace the journey that lies ahead.” – Kristina Evans
What does this quote mean to you?
What do you think your school goals have to do with this quote?
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3. Let’s get ready to write!
Step 1: Introduction
Attention Grabber
Introduce Subject (quote, author, what does it mean?)
Write your three main ideas
Closing sentence
Step 2: Body Paragraphs
Take each main idea and turn each into its own paragraph using supporting details
Step 3: Conclusion
Summarize main points
Offer a life lesson learned by the quote

4. Answering an Explanatory Quote
1st paragraph- Explain what the QUOTE means to you.  Introduce all the ideas of the essay.
2nd paragraph- Give an example about how the quote is true for Others.
3rd paragraph- Give an example about how the quote is true for History/World/Media.
4th paragraph- Give an example about how the quote is true forText/Author.
5th paragraph- Retell what the whole essay was about.  Explain what can be TAUGHT from this quote.

5. Introduction
(indent—–>) (Insert Attention Grabber) (Restate Quote and author) This quote means______________ (explain what you think this quote means to you).  Another way to say this quote is __________________ (put the quote in your own words).  I will prove how this quote is true not only for others but to History and a book I recently read titled, “…”.  Finally, I will conclude with what we can be taught by this quote.

6. Start with an Attention Grabber
An attention grabber is a technique that writers use to interest their readers to read what they wrote.
Three types of Attention Grabbers
Start with a scenario
Start with a question
Start with a fact or opinion

7. Option 1. Start with a Scenario
Picture this: You overhear your best friend bad-mouthing you in front of a group. She doesn’t know you overheard the conversation. Just five minutes ago, this same friend was sweet-talking you to your face! Now what do you do? Most people my age (13) would tell her off or hit her! But I’m not like most people my age. I would confront her when she’s by herself and calmly share how I feel. Some people would say this is the proactive thing to do. Abraham Lincoln once stated, “People are just about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” This quote means if someone proactively seeks to be happy and do things that make him/her happy then they will be content with themselves.  Another way to say this quote is __________________ (put the quote in your own words).  I will prove how this quote is true not only for myself but to everyone and a book I recently read.  Finally, I will conclude with what we can be taught by this quote.

8. Option 2. Start with a Question
What would you do if you overheard a close friend of yours talking about you? Most people my age would tell him or her off or throw punches!But I’m not like most people my age. I would confront her when she’s by herself and calmly share how I feel. Some people would say this is the proactive thing to do. Abraham Lincoln once stated, “People are just about as happy as they make up their mind to be.”This quote means if someone proactively seeks to be happy and do things that make him/her happy then they will be content with themselves.  Another way to say this quote is __________________ (put the quote in your own words).  I will prove how this quote is true not only for myself but to everyone and a book I recently read.  Finally, I will conclude with what we can be taught by this quote.

9. Option 3. Start with a Fact or Opinion
There are two types of people in this world: proactive or reactive. Proactive people think before they act. Reactive people make choices based on impulse. Abraham Lincoln once stated, “People are just about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” This quote means if someone proactively seeks to be happy and do things that make him/her happy then they will be content with themselves.  Another way to say this quote is __________________ (put the quote in your own words).  I will prove how this quote is true not only for myself but to everyone and a book I recently read.  Finally, I will conclude with what we can be taught by this quote.

10. Your Turn Review your first paragraph
Pick one of the attention grabbing techniques I just showed you
Practice writing your own.
HINT: Its okay to model your writing after my examples. It’s a great way to learn how to do it until you get the hang of it! 

11. Paragraph 2
(indent—–>)  An example that demonstrates this quote is true for others is __________________________.  (Insert a Specific Example Add  two or three Concrete Details (CD’s) that tell a story that happened in YOUR life, or make one up, that proves the quote is true).  This confirms that the quote is true because ________________________. (Connect back to the quote)

12. Paragraph 3
(indent—–>) Not only is this quote true for me, but it’s also true for everyone.   An example that establishes this quote is universal is __________________.(Insert a Specific Example Add two or three Concrete Details (CD’s) that tell a famous story, or make one up, that proves the quote is true for EVERYONE).  This confirms that the quote is true because ______________. (Connect back to the quote)

13. Paragraph 4
(indent—–>) This quote also reminds me of a book I recently read titled, ___________ by ____________. (Insert a Specific Example Add two or three Concrete Details (CD’s) that tell about the text, or make one up, that proves the quote is true for the text).  This confirms that the quote is true because ______________. (Connect back to the quote)

14. The conclusion Is the final paragraph in the essay.
Restates the thesis (quote)
Sums up the support
Includes the writer’s reflection or observation on the topic.
An AMAZING conclusion ends with a lesson learned, a call to action, a quote (different), or a forceful statement.

15. Conclusion
(indent—–>)  To conclude, ________ (name of person who said quote) once stated, “________”. It’s obvious this quote is universal.  We have seen a multitude of ways that prove this quote is true. (Sum up the support) (Write ONE sentence about your opinion or observation of the quote) A lesson we should all take away from it is _________________.(Insert Lesson)