Writing an Explaining Essay ENC 1101 Composition I

Writing an Explaining Essay ENC 1101 Composition I Fall 2012

Writing an Explaining Essay • Your reader expects you to: 1. 2. 3. state the main idea use specific support organize your explanation coherently

Choosing Your Subject • Write down topics you want to learn more about. • Look at class notes from your area of interest. • Go to the internet or library and find a source focusing on your area of interest.

Collecting Ideas and Examples Use your: • • • observing skills remembering skills investigating skills

Asking Key Questions • • What is thing I am explaining? What is it similar to or different from? How do I do this thing I am explaining? How does thing happen? Why does thing happen? Do several causes lead to one effect? Does one cause lead to several effects?

Shaping Your Explaining Essay • Narrow your focus. • Consider your audience. • Support your explanation by using examples. • Define key terms.

Shaping Your Explaining Essay • Classify items into groups. • Use process analysis if you are giving steps. • Analyze the causes and effects if you are explaining why something happens. • Let your voice, or personality come through your essay.

Final Thoughts on Your Explaining Essay • Your purpose(s) should be clear (entertain, inform, persuade, inspire). • Open with a ‘POW’ and end with a ‘WOW. • Consider your reader(s) and take a different angle (‘out of the box’).

Writing an Explaining Essay