7 English: How to write an Explanatory Essay

What is the general background?

The general background is the common knowledge about the topic most everyone should know.

What should the hook do?

The hook should get the reader's attention.

What is an introductory paragraph?

The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay. What does it do? It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important.

What should be included in the thesis statement, where should it be in your essay, and what is the purpose of the thesis statement?

1) The main idea and 3 subtopics should be included in the thesis. 2) The thesis should be placed as the last sentence in the introduction paragraph. 3) The purpose of a thesis statement is to direct readers to what they are going to read about.

What is a body paragraph?

A body paragraph is a group of related sentences about a particular topic or idea directly relating to the thesis. Because essays are composed of multiple body paragraphs, writing and organizing good paragraphs is one of the most important aspects of creating a well-organized and developed essay.

What is a concluding paragraph?

A concluding paragraph is the last paragraph in an academic essay and generally summarizes the essay, presents the main idea of the essay, or gives an overall solution to a problem or argument given in the essay. ... In a summary concluding paragraph, you will: Restate the thesis statement of your essay.

What can the hook be?

A question, strong statement, hypothetical, quote, or "what if...?" statement are all possibilities for a hook.

What is the thesis?

A thesis is the main argument of the entire essay. It directs readers towards what they are going to read.

What should all body paragraphs do?

Body paragraphs should follow the thesis. Each paragraph should support the main idea and one subtopic.

What is the evidence?

Evidence is the information, items or facts that proves if a belief is true or false. It is the research, or things you know about the topic and subtopics.

What should the first sentence of a concluding paragraph do?

It restates the thesis in the writer's own words.

Do we put quoted or cited evidence in our topic sentence? Why or why not?

No, we should not put quoted or cited evidence in our topic sentences. Topic sentences should state the main idea of the paragraph in your own words. Evidence is used later in the paragraph to support the topic sentence.

What do you have to do with the evidence in your body paragraphs if it is taken from a researched source?

One has to cite the evidence in a body paragraph if it is taken from a researched source.

What is the next thing one needs to do in the concluding paragraph?

One should summarize the body paragraphs.

What are the 7 types of elaboration?

The 7 types of elaboration are Personal Connection, Cause and Effect, Own Words, State a Definition, Give Examples, Add more facts/ Data, and State the Importance. Another technique is Analogies.

What does the concluding sentence do?

The concluding sentence wraps up the paragraphs and leads into the next subtopic.

What should the last sentence of the conclusion do? What can it be?

The last sentence should play off the hook and leaves the reader thinking. It can be whatever the hook can be.

What should a topic sentence include?

The topic sentence should include the main idea and one subtopic.