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Explanatory Essay
Due date for Final Draft:
November 1st
(see interim deadlines on
Agendas Page and outlined below)
On page 307 of your text, you will find instructions for writing
an "Explanatory" Essay. You may choose your own topic, but make
certain your topic is NARROW, and one with which you would like to live for the
next several weeks. Consider researching and learning about a topic in your
field of interest -- in other words, learn more about your future career. You may
also follow the suggestions in the text under "Choosing a
Subject."
Physical requirements:
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Your essay should be four to six pages in length, and formatted
in proper MLA style. |
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A works cited page is required. You must have at
least 6 current journal articles referenced in your paper. Remember
that works cited means you have actually cited these articles in your
paper. You may also refer to and cite a web page and/or a book, but
these should not be your primary sources. |
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You should use a standard font (nothing unusual or cute
please, this will be a formal paper) in a ten to twelve point
size. |
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Double space only -- no single or triple spacing in your
paper. |
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Make certain NOW that you have enough paper and ink to
print out your final copy. |
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Your final copy should not be submitted with poor print or
ink quality. |
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On the day you turn in your final draft, you should also
email your document to me as an attachment. I won't be able to grade
your paper physically until you have sent me the emailed attachment. |
Process requirements: Follow the text's
suggestions (page 308) for "collecting." You should include the
following pre-writing materials when you turn your essay. They will also
be due for review in class at intervals during the writing process.
Ask (and answer) the following questions about your tentative subject:
| What is it? |
| How is it done or how does it occur? |
| Why does it happen and what are its effects? |
Visualize your topic: by branching, mind mapping, creating a flow
chart, generate a storyboard, or by drawing your topic. Use either the
very left-brained design on page 309, or the less restrictive right-brain
design on page 310. Make sure your drawing suggests
details, questions, or relationships that may be important to your
paper. Here is another example:
Observing, remembering, reading, and investigating are other good ways to
collect information. If you use outside sources, be sure to make photocopies
of all library sources. Download or print all of your Internet sources.
Freewriting: You may do some freewriting about
your topic.
Content Requirements: Your essay should contain
the writing elements you have encountered in your text, in The Perfect
Storm, and during our class discussions.
The following are six important features of clear explanations:
| Getting the reader's attention and stating the thesis. |
| Defining key terms and describing what something is. |
| Analyzing and defining by describing, comparing, classifying, and giving
examples. |
| Identifying the steps in a process and showing how each step relates to
the overall process. |
| Describing causes and effects and showing why certain causes lead to
specific effects. |
| Supporting explanations with specific evidence. |
The introduction of an explaining essay usually has the following elements:
| Lead-In - an example, description, startling statement,
statistic, short narrative, allusion, or quotation to get the reader's
interest and focus on the topic you will explain |
| Thesis - statement of the main idea |
| Essay Map - a sentence or part of a sentence that lists, in the
order in which the essay discusses them, the main subtopics of the essay |
Body paragraphs constitute the bulk of the explanatory essay and often
contain the following:
| Topic sentences - sentences that articulate the main idea in the
paragraph |
| Unity - a focus on a single idea |
| Coherence - a smooth passage from one idea to the next |
Due Dates:
10/23: Pitch your topic to me and your peers.
Bring your ideas from your library assignment. Be able
to tell us why YOU would like to research and write about this topic.
Also tell us why your topic will "appeal" to your readers' interest!
Write this information in a paragraph, and include a catchy,
"spiffy" title. Your title should be specific.
10/25: Summary of an article from research for
your paper.
Two typed pages and four articles printed
out.
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Your articles should have marks and notations about what
information you will include in your paper.
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If you've had any second thoughts,
today is the last day to change your topic.
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October 30th: First draft due for peer review. 50
points
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Meeting this deadline and participating in peer review is
part of your grade for this paper. |
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Your first draft should be typed and should include your
works cited. |
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Affix it in a three prong report cover (no plastic, no
binders). |
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Include your prewriting and at least four
articles. |
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Material from your articles which has been cited in your
paper should be highlighted and marked so it can easily be found by
readers. |
October 25th: Final draft due. Fasten
your material in your report cover in the following order:
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Final draft and works cited.
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Rough draft with comments and works cited
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Four articles which are your primary sources. A
paper which primarily cites an article which is not included will not
be accepted. A paper which uses a book or website as one of the
primary sources will not be accepted (except under special circumstances
-- see me if you think you have one). It helps your teacher if you place
your articles in alphabetical order (by author) and affix a post-it note
in the outside margin showing the author's name.
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Your prewriting materials and any other work.
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Email your document file to me as an attachment.
Since I'll have your articles and other items in your folder, I just need
your essay emailed. If you have problems doing the attachment, just
cut and paste the paper into an email.
Late papers will not receive full credit.
This page was last updated on
Monday, October 23, 2006 11:35:58 AM. visitors
since Fall 2000
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