From: Crafting the Expository ArgumentDr. Michael Degen

• The basic formula: Topic + Debatable Option• When you have to determine one yourself, ask the following questions:

o What is the theme of the story/poem?o Character: do they change during the story? Function? A foil?o Plot: What is the conflict? What type of story/poem/play is it?o Setting: what is the setting? It’s importance? Multiple settings?

How can it be applied to theme or character?o Style: How does the author use literary devices to express tone or

theme? What is the tone? Are there motifs; what is the significance of it?

o Symbol: What are they? Their role? It’s function?o Allusions: What are they? Purpose?o Point of View: How does the point of view affect the story?o Use Aristotle’s topics: Definition (a character/symbol/series of

actions is____), Comparison, or consequence Page 110-111

Thesis Statement

• When responding to an essay prompto Make sure that you understand the prompt. Underlined

key phrases. o Make sure that your thesis statement addresses the key

points of the prompt.o If it gives you a broader prompt, refer back to the basic

questions for developing a thesis• Evaluate your statement

o Can the writer identify the topic of the thesis statement?o Can the writer identify the opinion? Or does the

statement merely identify something in the text?

Thesis Statement Continue

• One-idea paragraph: clear topic sentence. “Elaborates or develops a single aspect of the thesis statement” (Degen, 49)

• Subordinate paragraph: topic sentence connects to a preceding paragraph. “This paragraph is an extension of the idea introduced in the previous paragraph because one plank of the thesis statement may need to be proven by more than one paragraph” (49).

• Glue paragraph: short paragraph that acts as a transition between main ideas or topics.

Three types of paragraphs

• Topic Sentence: Organization method + aspect of the thesis statement.

• Elaboration: further elaboration of an ideao Direct quoteso Blended quotes and commentaryo Additional explanation of ideaso Discussion of contemporary or literary comparison

• Coherence: use of word glue or logic glue that shows the reader why one sentence follows another and the organization of evidence to support the topic sentence.

• Sentence variety• Sophisticated vocabulary, vivid verbs, and concrete nouns.

Page 50

Qualities of the One-idea and Subordinate paragraph

• Step 1: Create your thesis statement based on the writing prompt

• Step 2: Create your topic sentence based on the thesis statement

• Step 3: Gather evidence: Needs to include specific details from the text. It must prove and support the topic sentence.o Answer the following questions when searching for

evidence Where does the evidence occur in the plot or poem? What actions of a character support the topic? When

do these actions occur? Why do they occur? What does a character say that supports the topic?

When does the character say it? Why is it said? What is revealed by the narrator that provides

supporting evidence?

Creating your paragraph

• Step 4: Organize the Evidenceo Chronology: Timeo Placeo Idea

Analogy Cause and effect Definition Comparison Classification

o Step 5: Write your paragraph

Degen, Michael. Crafting Expository Argument: Practical Approaches to The Writing Process for Students and Teachers. Dallas: Telemachos, 2004. 49-116. Print.

Works Cited