Elaboration Strategies

1. Elaboration Strategies

2. Explain • Tell what you mean. • EX: This color is not right for you. In other words, you look dull in beige and should wear blue like your eyes. • Transitions: This means that…, To clarify…, To explicate…, In other words…

3. Exemplify • Give an example • EX: My brother helps me out when I am in trouble. Yesterday, for example, I missed the bus and he drove me to school. I had a test first period, and he didn’t want me to fail. • Transitions: For example… (should ALWAYS be embedded), For instance…, An example of…, To exemplify…

4. Literal Description • Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using concrete nouns, specific adjectives, and strong verbs. • EX: My bedroom looks good now because I redecorated. I purchased a black and white striped comforter and three firm, round black pillows to toss on it.

5. Figurative Description • Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc.). • EX: My bedroom looks good now because I redecorated. My bed looks like a zebra with its black and white striped comforter.

6. Narrative • Relate a personal experience to show what you mean. • EX: Grandpa Tom has a great sense of humor. One time when I was visiting his grocery store, I watched him cut up chickens. He gave me a chicken head and told me that if I planted it in the garden and didn’t disturb it for three weeks, I’d have a chicken bush. I took the chicken head home and buried it; but, after only three days, my curiosity overcame me and I dug it up. When I told Grandpa Tom that nothing was growing, he said it was too bad because it would only work once; he knew I couldn’t wait three days without looking! • NOTE: NO MORE THAN FIVE SENTENCES FOR A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!

7. Cause and Effect • Giving the reasons an event happened or the results of the event. • EX: Because Grandpa Tom had such a great sense of humor, he always made us laugh. • Transitions: Because_____happened…, As a result of________...

8. Comparison/Contrast • Giving similarities and/or differences between two or more things. • EX: Grandpa Tom had a wonderful sense of humor in contrast to grouchy Grandma Susie. • Transitions: In contrast to…, This contrasts…, On the other hand…, In comparison to…, Similar to…

9. The Use of Other’s Experiences • Giving specifics through other people’s words. • EX: My father once told me that he enjoyed Grandpa’s jokes and laughter.

10. Red Bow Conclusion • After you have elaborated, you will need to tie it all together with a red bow… your CONCLUSION SENTENCE.

11. Activity: As a class, choose a person from this picture. 1. Mary/Jack was a _____ kind of person. 2. Give an explanation of why s/he was _____. 3. Give an example of her/him being _____. 4. You will be assigned another elaboration technique. Don’t forget to tie it all together with a big red bow!

12. Activity: As a group, use Slade from this picture. 1. Slade was a _____ kind of person. 2. Give an explanation of why s/he was _____. 3. Give an example of her/him being _____. 4. Elaboration. 5. Elaboration. Don’t forget to tie it all together with a big red bow!

13. Activity: On your own, choose a person from this picture. 1. Mary/Jack was a _____ kind of person. 2. Give an explanation of why s/he was _____. 3. Give an example of her/him being _____. 4. You will be assigned another elaboration technique. Don’t forget to tie it all together with a big red bow!

14. Review: Ways to Elaborate • Explain • Example • Literal Description • Figurative Description • Narrative • Compare/Contrast • Cause/Effect • Other’s Experiences • E • E • L • F • N • C • C • O

15. Ticket in the Door Write a paragraph that answers the prompt below. Be sure to identify the PAC before you start writing. PROMPT: Who are you? Write a paragraph in which you explain your personality to someone who has never met you. Topic Sentence Explain Example 2 Elaboration Strategies Red Bow Conclusion

16. FLEE MAP: Template

17. FLEE MAP: Sample Main Topic Body Paragraph 1 Topic Body Paragraph 2 Topic Body Paragraph 3 Topic Notes: Explain Example 2 ElabStrats Notes: Explain Example 2 ElabStrats Notes: Explain Example 2 ElabStrats

18. Bell Work Quiz • How is Rat Army different from Salamander? • What surprising information does Dink Meeker relay to Ender? • Why is Ender’s feet-first attack position so effective in battle? • Describe where Ender is in the computer game. What does he see in the mirror after he defeats the snake? How does he react? Answer 3 of the four questions to show comprehension of literature.

19. Topic Choose one event from the summer reading book that demonstrates the major conflict or the theme. Identity the conflict or theme and explain how it is demonstrated.

20. Choose one event from the summer reading book that demonstrates the major conflict or the theme. Identity the conflict or theme and explain how it is demonstrated. BODY PARAGRAPHS Topic Sentence Explain Example 2 Elaboration Strategies Literal Description Figurative Description Narrative Compare/Contrast Cause/Effect Other’s Experiences Red Bow Conclusion Introduction Interest Catcher, Subject Sentence, and Thesis Body Paragraph 1 Topic Body Paragraph 2 Topic Body Paragraph 3 Topic ADD INTRO WITH THESIS ADD INTRO WITH THESIS Notes: Explain Example 2 ElabStrats Notes: Explain Example 2 ElabStrats Notes: Explain Example 2 ElabStrats CONCLUSION RESTATING THESIS, Summarizing Points, and leaving a Connecting Sentence

21. Introduction Interest Catcher: Define conflict or theme. Use a quote from the text. Subject Sentence: In, (title of the novel), by (author), the (theme or conflict you chose) is prevalent. Thesis: The (theme or conflict you choose) is demonstrated through (your three topics).

22. Conclusion Restate Thesis: Reword your thesis and make sure the read knows what has been gained from reading this essay. Summarize Main Points: (The three parts of your flow map) Connection Sentence: Give your reader something to think about or ponder.

23. Body Paragraph Breakdown • Topic Sentence • Explanation • Example (from text) • Elaboration • Elaboration • Red Bow Conclusion

24. When do we cite? • Quoting • Paraphrasing • Summarizing • Basically, anytime you use someone else’s original ideas.

25. What is a Works Cited? • Simply, it is a list of sources at the end of your essay. • It tells me the publication information of the WORKS that have been CITED within your essay • What is an Annotated Bibliography?

26. Sample Works Cited Page Works Cited "Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund. Environmental Defense Fund, 8 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009. Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. “Clinton on Climate Change.” New York Times. New York Times, May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009. Nordhaus, William D. "After Kyoto: Alternative Mechanisms to Control Global Warming." American Economic Review 96.2 (2006): 31-34. Print. Shulte, Bret. "Putting a Price on Pollution." Usnews.com. US News & World Rept., 6 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009.

27. What is an In-Text Citation? • This is a simple, concise, and thorough way for writers to acknowledge their sources. • It refers to the Works Cited page by including just a little bit of information • It is set in parenthesis and is placed at the end of a sentence

28. What does an In-Text Citation look like? SAMPLE: "MLA style is widely used to document sources in writing that deals with literature, languages, and other fields in the humanities" (Lunsford 367). • The in-text citation is the author’s last name and the page number in this sample. • Here is the corresponding Works Cited entry: Lunsford, Andrea. The College Writer's Reference. Boston: Bedford St.Martin's, 2005. Print.