1. APE Writing Strategy
ASSERT PROVE EXPLAIN

2. What is an Assertion? as·sert
əˈsərt/
verb
state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
synonyms:
declare, maintain, contend, argue, state, 
claim, propound, proclaim, announce, pronounce, swear, 
insist, avow

3. What is an Assertion?
Simply put, an assertion is a statement of opinion.

4. Assertion
In literature, you make an assertion about a work based on evidence provided in the text.
The purpose of “The Sniper” is to . . .

5. ASSERT
The assertion (or topic sentence ) states the specific arguable point you will make in the paragraph.
Moreover, the assertion connects the paragraph to your thesis.
Generally, assertions should go at the beginning of the paragraph (the first sentence, or, if there's a transition sentence, the second).
Assertions must be arguable--the point that YOU are making about something.

6. PROVE Examples/evidence that support (or "prove") your assertion.
These examples are usually direct quotes from a text.
Examples should be introduced and briefly contextualized.
Avoid including too much plot summary when introducing examples/evidence.

7. EXPLAIN
Examples NEVER speak for themselves: you must provide explanations, which clarify how and why the evidence relates to your assertion and subsequently your central claim.
For instance, in a textual analysis, an explanation of a quote pulls out particular words, images, references, etc. from the example and shows how these support the assertion.
Explanation of examples and data outline the reasoning that logically links the evidence to the assertion.  
You are not just summarizing, you are explaining the significance …