Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Informative/Explanatory Extended Constructed Response
Introduction Paragraph
Introduction Paragraph Pointers:
 Open with an attention grabber/hook/lead that uses an imagine statement, a powerful
quotation, an interesting fact, or an exciting moment.
 In 2-4 sentences, the bridge should explain that there have been several important
people and ideas in the world and that the person you have chosen is among the most
influential. (Who, what, where, when and why.)
 Thesis sentence needs to include the person’s name and the two topics you will analyze
in the essay: early life and great works/historical impact.
Read the Model and Identify the Key Parts
1. Put a star by the attention grabber.
2. Circle the bridge.
3. Underline the thesis sentence.
4. Put boxes around the two subtopics that I will analyze in my thesis
Biography on Elizabeth I Example
“Oh, Lord! The queen is a woman!” one housewife exclaimed after Elizabeth I
came to the throne (Meltzer 286). Queen Elizabeth I was the first female to ever take,
and keep, the throne of England without marrying. She was incredibly influential during
her reign between 1558-1603 and was one of the strongest rulers England ever had.
She helped England balance its budget, win a war, explore the world, flourish during the
Renaissance and become more religiously tolerant. Elizabeth I created an impact on
society that left the world a more diverse place. The proceeding information will explain
her early life as well as her great works and lasting impact on history.
Introduction Paragraph Guided Practice:
 What attention grabber could we use for a biography on Vivien Thomas?
____________________________________________________________________________

What would we want to include for a bridge?
____________________________________________________________________________

What is a possible thesis?
____________________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Early Life & Early Career Paragraph
Early Life & Career Paragraph Pointers:
 The topic sentence needs to include the person and a general statement about his/her
early life and career.
 Write the paragraph in chronological (time) order. MP’s should be about early life and
then early career.
 Paraphrase the evidence or cite it using quotations marks around the exact words,
phrase or sentence you copied.
 Include the author/title of web article and page number in parenthesis at the end of the
sentence whether you paraphrased or quoted the evidence. Cite every Support.
 Use transitional words and phrases like: First, after that, next, then, etc.
 The conclusion sentence needs to sum up the paragraph and transition to the next
paragraph.
Read the Model and Identify the Key Parts
1. Label the sentences: TS, MP, S, S, CS etc.
2. Circle all the transitional words and phrases.
3. Underline the biographical evidence.
4. Double underline the early career evidence.
Elizabeth I had an interesting early life and career. First, she was born on September 7, 1553 to
King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. The author stated, “When she was only two years
old, King Henry VIII beheaded her mother because he thought she was an adulterer and wanted another
wife to birth him a son” (“Queen Elizabeth I” 1). This is important because Elizabeth’s father married
Jane Seymour and Elizabeth was taken care of by members of the royal family and court. During this
time she learned six languages and rode horses. Next, once her father passed, the throne went to her
younger half-brother Edward. The author explained, “Although he was only ten at the time, he died six
years later” (Meltzer 284). This shows that since there were no more male heirs, the throne then went to
her older half-sister Mary Tudor, who was nicknamed “Bloody Mary” for executing over 300 Protestants.
Finally, after her half-sister died, Elizabeth became queen on November 17, 1558. At the time, England
was in a troubled state since there were tensions between religious groups and England was in a war
with France. For example, “During her first session of Parliament in 1559, she called for the passage of
the Act of Supremacy, which re-established the Church of England…With the assistance of her key
advisor, William Cecil, Elizabeth ended the war with France”(“Queen Elizabeth 1” 2). This demonstrates
that in the first few years of her reign, Elizabeth helped relieve tensions between Catholics and
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Protestants and ended the war, bringing peace to her country of England (“Queen Elizabeth I” 2). Not
only did Queen Elizabeth have a very successful early career, but she would also continue to do great
things, making her reign known as The Age of Elizabeth.
Early Life and Early Career Body Paragraph Guided Practice:
 What biographical information could we use for a biography on Vivien Thomas?
____________________________________________________________________________

Do we want to write MP 2 about his early life or early career?
____________________________________________________________________________

What would we want to include for his early career?
____________________________________________________________________________

What final piece of information would we want to include about his early career?
____________________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Great Works and Historical Impact Paragraph
Paragraph Pointers:
 The topic sentence needs to include a general statement about the person you have
chosen and why he/she will always be remembered.
 Write the paragraph in order of great works 1 and 2 and then historical impact.
 Paraphrase the evidence or cite it using quotations marks around the exact words,
phrase or sentence you copied.
 Include the author/title of web article and page number in parenthesis at the end of the
sentence whether you paraphrased or quoted the evidence.
 Use transitional words and phrases like: First, after that, next, then, etc.
 DON’T overlap information from your early life and career paragraph.
 The conclusion sentence needs to sum up the paragraph.
Read the Model and Identify the Key Parts
1. Label the sentences: TS, MP, S, S, CS etc.
2. Circle all the transitional words and phrases.
3. Underline the first great works evidence
4. Double underline the second great works evidence.
5. Star the historical impact evidence
Queen Elizabeth I is remembered for being the first queen of England who never married,
devoting her entire life to the well-being and prosperity of her country. To begin with, one of the first
great works that Elizabeth I did was to encourage the arts and exploration. The author explained, “Plays
by William Shakespeare and music by musicians such as Thomas Tallis and William Byrd were
performed at her court. She also financially supported Sir Walter Raleigh, who named the colony of
Virginia after her, and Sir Francis Drake, who sailed around the world in three years” (“Queen Elizabeth I”
2). This is noteworthy because The Age of Elizabeth, as it was called, inspired a new era of theater and
music, increased national pride and helped the economy of England. In addition, another one of
Elizabeth I’s great works was defeating the Spanish Armada in 1558. For example, “King Phillip II of
Spain tried to overthrow Elizabeth because he wanted to put her cousin, Mary queen of Scots, a Roman
Catholic, on the throne” (“Queen Elizabeth I” 2). This illustrates Queen Elizabeth’s historical impact
because she led English to victory when she sent troops to protect the coasts while Sir Francis Drake’s
ships set out to attack the Spanish fleet of 130 ships and 17,000 soldiers. Most importantly, Elizabeth’s
great historical impact came from her religious tolerance. The author stated, “She had said that “she
hoped religion would not prevent her people from living together in peaceful unity” and had harsh
consequences for anyone who tried to oppose her”(Meltzer 289). This is significant because she created
a common prayer book to unite Protestants and Catholics and she had Mary queen of Scots beheaded.
She also had the hands cut off of writers who criticized her and she imprisoned those who fought against
her beliefs. All in all, she managed to stay alive despite numerous assassination attempts and will forever
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
be known for leading her country during the Golden Age, destroying the infamous Spanish Armada and
creating religious tolerance in England.
Great Works and Historical Impact Body Paragraph Guided Practice:
 What great work did Vivien Thomas first accomplish?
____________________________________________________________________________

Do we want to write MP 2 about another great work or write MP 2 and MP 3 about his
historical impact?
____________________________________________________________________________

What would we want to include for this?
____________________________________________________________________________

What final piece of information would we want to include about his historical impact?
____________________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Conclusion Paragraph
Conclusion Paragraph Pointers:
 Restate Thesis and Summary- Summarize body paragraphs about early life and career,
great works and historical impact
 Reflection Statement-Discuss death of person, how the person will be remembered
and/or tie back to hook
 Clincher – Reflective thoughts on figure. Review impact they left behind in a thoughtful
way.
Read the Model and Identify the Key Parts
1. Number the sentences that restate the thesis.
2. Put a star by the reflection statement(s).
3. Double underline the clincher.
Queen Elizabeth I was an influential monarch of England who will always be remembered
for supporting her country and her people. Although she grew up with unusual circumstances,
once she took the throne she helped England with the budget, won two wars, encouraged arts,
writing and exploration during the Renaissance, and helped create peace between a religiously
divided country. Elizabeth died on March 24, 1603 after suffering from a cold and fever. She
was the first queen to never marry and did not have any heirs. Queen Elizabeth once said, “I am
already bound unto a husband, which is the Kingdom of England” (Meltzer 287). It is clear that
she truly loved the country she ruled and gave her complete devotion to making England a
powerful and influential country during her reign.
Conclusion Paragraph Guided Practice:
 What could you write for a restated thesis?
____________________________________________________________________________

What is a possible reflection statement for Vivien Thomas?
____________________________________________________________________________

What clincher could you use?
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Works Cited
Meltzer, Milton. Elizabeth I. Austin. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 2003. Print.
"Queen Elizabeth I." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
*EITHER underline (hand-written) or italicize (typed) the text title
Class Works Cited
Directions: Pick your Internet article and text used, below. Copy the information to your essay packet.
When you write a final draft, make sure that your Works Cited page is a separate page, single-spaced and
in alphabetical order by author last name or webpage title. Italicize the title of the text if you are typing
the essay OR underline it if you are writing the essay.
Class Internet articles/Websites/Electronic Sources:
"Michael Jeffrey Jordan." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"William Shakespeare." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"Joanne Rowling." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov.
2014.
"Walter Elias Disney." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"Jackie Robinson." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"Annelies Marie Frank." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
"Steven Paul Jobs." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.
Class Texts:
Miller, Raymond H. Michael Jordan. San Diego, CA: Kidhaven, 2003. Print.
Tracy, Kathleen, and Leonardo. Leonardo Da Vinci. Hockessin, DE: Mitchell Lane, 2009. Print.
Peterson-Hilleque, Victoria. J.K. Rowling, Extraordinary Author. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub., 2010. Print.
DeAngelis, Gina. Jackie Robinson. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2001. Print.
Jaffe, Elizabeth Dana. Walt Disney. Milwaukee, WI: World Almanac Library, 2001. Print.
Compson, William. J.K. Rowling. New York: Rosen Central, 2003. Print.
Krull, Kathleen, and Boris Kulikov. Leonardo Da Vinci. New York: Viking, 2005. Print.
Kirkpatrick, Rob. Michael Jordan, Basketball Superstar / Rob Kirkpatrick. New York: PowerKids, 2001.
Print.
Brown, Jonatha A., and Lucia Raatma. Jackie Robinson. Milwaukee, WI: Weekly Reader Early Learning
Library, 2005. Print
Stanley, Diane. Leonardo Da Vinci. New York: Harper Collins, 1997. Print.
Ross, Stewart, and Alan Marks. The Story of Anne Frank. North Mankato, MN: Thameside, 2001. Print.
Metselaar, Menno, and Ruud Van Der Rol. Anne Frank - Her Life in Words and Pictures: From the
Archives of The Anne Frank House. New York: Flash Point, 2009. Print.
Gillam, Scott. Steve Jobs: Apple Icon. Minneapolic, MN: ABDO Pub., 2012. Print.
Hudson-Goff, Elizabeth, and Jonatha A. Brown. Anne Frank. Milwaukee, WI: World
Almanac Library, 2006. Print.
Name: ________________________________
Date: __________________ Period: _____
Rosen, Michael, and Robert Ingpen. Shakespeare: His Work and His World.
Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2001. Print.
Kramer, Ann. Anne Frank: The Young Writer Who Told the World Her Story.
Washinton, D.C.: National Geographic, 2007. Print.
Rol, Ruud Van Der., and Rian Verhoeven. Anne Frank, beyond the Diary: A
Photographic Remembrance. New York, NY, U.S.A.: Viking, 1993. Print.