JBHM 38: Creating an Informative (Expository) Essay

1. JBHM 38: Creating an Informative (Expository) Essay World Lit Ms. Logan

2. Basics • Most of your writing this year will be prompt-based, but there will be times you are required to brainstorm open-ended topics (such as your upcoming isolation/religion paper for Night). • Every good paper has a thesis statement which outlines what the paper will talk about IN THE INTRODUCTION (opinion + 3 because statements)

3. Body Paragraphs • Your body paragraphs are not DEVELOPED • DEVELOPED PARAGRAPHS include specific details which prove your opinion. • Examples, quotes, and reasoning (along with elaboration on these three) will serve you well • Remember, ONE MAIN IDEA PER PARAGRAPH!

4. Prompt Your teacher has asked you to compose a reader response to the novel Night. In a well-developed essay, detail what you like about the novel and dislike about it and why. Possible thesis: I enjoyed Night by Elie Wiesel because of its historical context and its imagery, but I thought that the time shifts happened too suddenly, causing me to be deeply interested in the characters’ fates, but unable to get a clear picture of them in my mind.

5. Sample (Undeveloped) Paragraph I really liked the book. It had good imagery and made me want to learn more about the Holocaust. The main character seems to be a lost little boy, and I wish I could rescue him. In fact, the whole book reminds me that some people are bad and the world needs to learn to cooperate.

6. Sample (Undeveloped) Paragraph Be specific. Use quotes and examples to prove this. You made this clear in the thesis. What is IT? Be specific. I really liked the book. It had good imagery and made me want to learn more about the Holocaust. The main character seems to be a lost little boy, and I wish I could rescue him. In fact, the whole book reminds me that some people are bad and the world needs to learn to cooperate. How does imagery contribute to your understanding of this theme? Is there SPECIFIC imagery you saw which makes you empathize with the Jews? Different idea. New paragraph.

7. Revised Sample Paragraph The imagery in the novel contributes heavily to my perception of the characters. For example, Wiesel writes of that first night in Auschwitz: “Dusk began to fill the wagon. There was nothing outside but darkness [and] we returned to our places, shame in our souls but fear gnawing at us nevertheless” (27). This image builds tension, and I can practically feel the apprehension of the passengers. The fear and the shame Wiesel mentions makes me realize that these poor Jews are very human, like me, and if I were in that situation, I would probably not have a tenth of the bravery they display. Unfortunately, due to the author’s tendency to jump quickly from year to year, I do not get a real feel for any of these characters for whom I feel massive respect.

8. Good specific details and quote! Great job telling me why this piece of imagery is important to the reader’s perception of the scene!!! Lit term- good! The imagery in the novel contributes heavily to my perception of the characters. For example, Wiesel writes of that first night in Auschwitz: “Dusk began to fill the wagon. There was nothing outside but darkness [and] we returned to our places, shame in our souls but fear gnawing at us nevertheless” (27). This image builds tension, and I can practically feel the apprehension of the passengers. The fear and the shame Wiesel mentions makes me realize that these poor Jews are very human, like me, and if I were in that situation, I would probably not have a tenth of the bravery they display. Unfortunately, due to the author’s tendency to jump quickly from year to year, I do not get a real feel for any of these characters for whom I feel massive respect. Good trans

9. Exercise With your table, create a thesis statement and a body paragraph for the following prompt: Your teacher has given you an assignment to write an informative essay. Think about the qualities people should look for in someone they choose to represent them—a class officer, a group leader, the President. Write about these qualities and provide reasons why these qualities are important. Be sure to provide specific examples with supporting details.