Writing Part 2:
The Informative/Explanatory
Writing Task
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Informative/Explanatory PromptEssay Based on a Quote
Task: Students
will read a quote,
adage or
universally
accessible topic
and respond in
an educated,
thoughtprovoking essay.
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“Early to bed, early to rise…”
“To be or not to be…”
“Harder, better
faster, stronger…”
Types of Informative/Explanatory Essay Quote Prompts:
· Quotes- famous quotations by historians, authors, politicians, etc. Example: “Do not be too
timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.”
· Adages- short, memorable sayings that have great meaning attached. Example: Life is ten
percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it.
· Universally Accessible Topic- Food for thought that is not attached to curriculum or studies,
but rather an idea formed from life experience. Example: Some say that love is the most powerful
emotion. Others think love is simply a reaction.
???Can your imagination reach its full
potential on this picture???
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How to Respond to a…
NJ ASK Informative/Explanatory
Essay—Quote Response
• An informativ/explanatory essay—quote response means that you
will have to write an essay explaining a quote that relates to a life
topic.
• You will need to:
-Write a four paragraph essay that (1) explains the quote; (2) explains a
connection that can be made to the quote and the world/society; (3)
explains how the quote can be connected to your self; to someone you
know personally; OR to your life in the near or distant future; and lastly,
(4) summarizes what you have written.
-Complete the writing process in 30 minutes.
• Responding Guidelines:
-Read the prompt carefully by analyzing the quote and making a basic, logical
sense of its meaning.
-Plan for the four parts of the essay by creating a four column chart and listing
bullet notes pertaining to the purpose for each paragraph (see bolded numbers
1-4 above).
-Write a four paragraph essay. *All paragraphs need topic and closing
sentences with sufficient elaboration in between, such as facts, examples,
and/or anecdotes.
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-Read through your essay to revise and edit.
Informative/Explanatory Prompt
Essay Based on a Quote
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TIPS FOR AN INFORMATIVE/
EXPLANATORY PROMPT
ESSAY BASED ON A QUOTE:
Aim for a 4-paragraph response (at a minimum)
which uses various cohesive devices (thinktransitions!).
Remember that this is all expository
(explanatory) not narrative (telling a story).
You will need: an opening and a closing; a welldeveloped, cohesive, single focus; organization
and logical progression.
You will also need at least two well-developed
examples, using vivid details, that directly
relate to the prompt.
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USE TRANSITIONS TO LINK IDEAS:
Above all
Again
Also
As a result
As an illustration
At other times
Besides this
Certainly
Consequently
Equally important
Finally
First
For example
For instance
For this reason
Furthermore
Generally
However
In addition
In conclusion
In contrast
In fact
In other words
In particular
In spite of this
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Last
Most importantly
Nevertheless
Next
Now
of course
On one hand
On the other hand
Or
Otherwise
Second
Similarly
Specifically
Still
Surely
Then
Therefore
Third
To explain
To illustrate
To wrap it up
While this may be
True
With this in mind
Yet
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Introduction:
• Grab the reader’s attention
• Integrate the quote, adage or topic by
giving background information and by
explaining what the quote means to you
• Thesis statement or main idea
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Body Paragraph #1:
• Give example(s) from literature, history, science,
film, current events (the world and society).
• You can actually study for this part, because
themes are UNIVERSAL.
• Think about some major novels/stories that you
have read thus far and/or some historical
figures. Figure out what they stand for, what
themes they exemplify, and be ready to work
that into whatever prompt presents itself.
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Body Paragraph #2:
• Example(s) from your own experience or
observation, or from someone you know
personally.
• You will write this as an explanation, not a
narration.
• Do not be tempted to relive the story;
speak about it with an academic voice.
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Conclusion:
• Generate final remarks without introducing
brand new examples
• Unify and Summarize your ideas
• Remind the audience of your main
point/thesis
• Use a satisfactory close/clincher (could tie
back into intro.)
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Informative/Explanatory Map (Quote)
Topic: _________________________________________________________
Introduction: (Explain what the quote means to you)
_______________________________________________________________
Supporting Reason #1:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Evidence: (From literature, history, science, film, or current events)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Supporting Reason #2:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Evidence: (From your own experience or observation, or from someone you know
personally.)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Conclusion:
_________________________________________________________________
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Informative/Explanatory Prompt
Essay Based on a Quote (Model)
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Prewriting: Brainstorming
(“Thinking on Paper”)
Initial list of ideas:
-Albert Einstein suffered from mental retardation when
younger.
-Bill Gates (second richest man in world) was bullied as a
child.
-Problems I had while in grammar school.
-Wealthy people take success for granted.
-Singers and movie stars often face obstacles (i.e.
Shakira)
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Introduction:
A “path with no obstacles” would certainly be most
people’s dream come true. Imagine living life without any
problems. Imagine finding success without having to face
failure. Imagine what such a life would be. (Hook reader)
To me, this quote holds the truth of life. Of course, not
having to run into mistakes would be a dream come true
for me. But at the same time, it would also be my own
dreadful loss. Obstacles, failures, and mistakes: with no
obstacles every single challenge one encounters happens
for a reason. A “path with no obstacles” is not natural.
(Integrate quote) Whether everyone believes so,
obstacles are necessary in everyone’s path to succeed.
(Thesis Statement)
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Body
paragraphs:
If one thinks about some of the most successful people in life,
nearly every single one had great if not ostensibly insurmountable
obstacles in their “paths.” Albert Einstein, for instance, suffered from
mental retardation as well as rejection from the first college he applied
to. But those obstacles were necessary for his incredible contributions
to the science community today. Another example is Bill Gates, the
second richest man in the world and chairman of Microsoft. Gates was
ostracized by his peers during his elementary years, but such
hardships made him the successful figure he is today.
Failure is like oxygen in my life. It occurs all around me. It occurs to
me. It is an omnipresent “thing!” Obstacles are what prepare us for life
by teaching us a little more about ourselves and the world and people
around us. To be where I am today, I had to swim through an
enormous pool of failures. Although I drowned at some points I always
came back up and kept on swimming. A good example of this as well
as the importance of failure is when I first entered middle school.
Throughout elementary school, I was able to succeed in all of my
coursework without much effort. Only after I got my first failing grade
did I learn that it is important to prepare ahead. This failure taught me
how it’s a competitive world, and one has to work to get by.
Many singers and movie stars have also faced obstacles in their
life. Famous singer Shakira was renounced by her music teacher
because her voice was too strong. Many movie stars were very
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unsuccessful during their first years but eventually climbed up to fame.
Conclusion:
A path without obstacles probably does not lead
somewhere because there is probably nowhere to lead
to. Paths in life are made up of mistakes, and the
destination is the culmination, the results, and the golden
lessons learned from mistakes. Just how these people
failed, I also failed. I failed in my youth and I probably will
fail many more times in the future. (Reminds audience of
the main idea of the essay) To tell you the truth, without
failure, I would have absolutely no idea at all where I
would have ended up. But I can honestly say this: it
would certainly be a bad place. (In this conclusion, the
writer reinforces how she has proven her point.)
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Informative/Explanatory Writing
Prompt Checklist
INTRODUCTION
Did I remember to…
 Begin with a grabbing lead which “hooks” the reader?
 State/integrate the quote, adage, or topic?
 Include background information to introduce the question?
 End the paragraph with a thesis statement expressing the main idea of my essay?
BODY
Did I remember to…
 Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence?
 Focus each body paragraph on one idea (one idea, one paragraph)?
 Include an example(s) from literature, history, science, film, current events, or
your own experience to explain/support the quote?
 Make sure each body paragraph relates to the thesis statement?
 Make sure each body paragraph is written as an explanation, not narration and
speaks with an academic voice.
CONCLUSION
Did I remember to…
 Generate final remarks without introducing brand new examples?
 Remind the audience of the main idea/thesis of my essay?
 Unify and summarize/restate some of the key points I made about this main idea?
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 Use a satisfactory close/clincher (could tie back into intro)?
Why this essay deserves a “6”
A clear and distinct understanding of the quotation and the task is
presented here. The response is thoughtful, organized, well
developed and fluent from the introductory paragraph to the
concluding paragraph. The writer uses a creative approach (imagine
living life without problems) in the introductory paragraph to draw the
reader into the response. A personal explanation of the quotation
follows. Successful personalities (Albert Einstein and Bill Gates) are
purposefully mentioned as examples of those who have faced
obstacles and succeeded. The writer then explains the importance
of the quotation in his own life using a personal example to further
illustrate. This example ends with the lesson learned (This failure
taught me how it’s a competitive world and one has to work to get
by.). An extra example of how famous celebrities overcame failure
was added. The writer concludes with a discussion of how failure
leads to success on a global and personal level. This response is
complete, pertinent, and exhibits verbal sophistication. There are
very few, if any errors.
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How to Respond to a…
NJ ASK Explanatory—Personal Prompt
• An explanatory—personal prompt means that you have to write
an essay explaining a topic that connects personally to you.
• You will need to:
-Write a four paragraph essay that addresses the topic and
elaborates on each of its parts.
-Complete the writing process in 30 minutes.
Responding Guidelines:
-Read the prompt carefully and break it into parts. Circle, underline,
or number each part that you would have to address in your essay.
-Plan for the parts of the prompt by using specific information/details
for each.
-Write a four paragraph essay. Each paragraph should represent
one part and should be logically organized. *All paragraphs need
topic and closing sentences with sufficient elaboration in between,
such as facts, examples, and/or anecdotes.
-Read through your essay to revise and edit.
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Informative/Explanatory
Prompt – Essay Based on a
TOPIC
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Directions: It often seems that children are much better
at ignoring their parents than they are at paying close
attention to them. Think of a situation you have been in
where this was true. Then, tell the full story in your
composition. Keep the following in mind:
Establish a clear sense of the place where the incident
happened.
Write in detail about the people involved (in this case at
least one parent and one child).
Explain why the child was happier ignoring, rather than
paying attention to, his or her parent(s).
Describe how the parent(s) handled the situation.
Defend the parent(s) and/or the child.
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Outline for an Informative/
Explanatory Essay based on a
topic:
Introductory Paragraph
 Open with a creative idea to get your reader interested.
 Briefly state what you believe to be the story.
 State details to support your ideas.
Body Paragraph #1
 Who are the people and what are they doing?
 When and where is the action taking place? Under what conditions?
 What is the problem?
Body Paragraph #2
 Why does the situation exist?
 How might the story continue after the instance captured in the scenario?
Conclusion
 Restate what you believe to be the story.
 Summarize the prompt details that prove your ideas.
 Close with a creative statement.
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Introductory Paragraph:
What child has not, at one time or
another, eaten something when his
parents tell him not to? (“Hook” the reader
with a rhetorical question.) It is human
nature to do what is forbidden, especially
in children. In this case, a son confesses
to his father that he has eaten his father’s
chocolate cake, something that he was
forbidden to do, but chose to ignore.
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Body Paragraph #1:
After they have done something wrong,
children often feel remorseful. As a result, they
go to tell their parents about their misconduct
right away. In this case, a son goes to tell his
father that he has eaten his father’s piece of
chocolate cake. (This sentence establishes both
who the characters are and what the problem is.)
Knowing how much his father loves chocolate
cake, the boy is scared. However, he is close
enough to his father to feel safe telling him the
truth. It is the father’s birthday party, so he is
already in a good mood and will likely be able to
get another piece of cake!
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Body Paragraph #2:
Following the son’s confession, the father
would most likely clean up his son and order
himself another slice of chocolate cake. (This
addresses the question of how the conflict might
be solved.) Most likely, the boy will not be
punished because of the sincerity and honesty
he shows is father. While the father is waiting
for his cake to come, he might even play with his
son. At first, the father’s expression is stern, but
there is also a half smile at the side of his mouth
that shows that he can have a sense of humor.
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Conclusion:
There is a unique relationship between
a father and a son. It is a good
relationship, and both of them value
honesty. Evidently, a good relationship
can be “a piece of cake.” (Creative closure
and an effective compositional risk.)
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