What is an analysis essay? It …
…Gives facts.
 …Explains.
 …Gives steps in a process.
 …Presents ideas in logical
order or correct sequence.

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What are the key words that show it
is an expository prompt?
Most people enjoy some type of music. Think
about your favorite type of music and explain
why you like that particular type of music.
Sometimes even the best drivers can get lost at
times. Explain how you would direct a lost man
to get back to the interstate highway from your
neighborhood.
Tell how to make a hamburger.
YOU WILL FIND THESE WORDS IN THE PROMPT
EXPLAIN or TELL HOW.
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Think – Brainstorm-PACO
P-What is your purpose?
 A- Who is your audience?
 C- Content --What are

your ideas for
details, facts, or
reasons?

O- Organization --Think
how you want to
structure your paper.
Jot down these ideas.
NOW START YOUR OUTLINE, OR WEB!
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FIRST PAPAGRAPH
Introduce your topic
Give 3 details, reasons, facts or steps in a process
You will talk about in your paper.
KEY IDEA
D(details)
P (reasons)
E (facts/steps)
KEY IDEA
D(details)
P (reasons)
E (facts/steps)
KEY IDEA
D(details)
P (reasons)
E (facts/steps)
explanation
explanation
explanation
elaboration
elaboration
elaboration
examples
examples
examples
KEY IDEA
KEY IDEA
KEY IDEA
explanation
explanation
explanation
elaboration
elaboration
elaboration
examples
examples
examples
Conclusion
Summarize the points
you made in the essay
go back to the introduction
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Let’s prepare to write an essay!
Here’s the prompt.
There are many good and bad
things about being in the seventh
grade. Explain what these things
are.
What kind of prompt do we have?
Did you say expository? You’re
right!
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Use your scratch paper
Jot down a few transitions.
 What are transitions?
 Words or phrases that connect ideas or
introduce the topic.
 Such as one, if, although, however,
finally, in conclusion, first, second, next,
additionally,consequently
Make an outline or web. Develop a
1-3-1 plan. One Paragraph for introThree paragraphs for the body –
One paragraph for the conclusion.
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What's Good & Bad About 7th gr
Provide a hook- Ask a question
talk about the good, bad and things both good and bad
Additionally
One
First
Second
Next Anotherif
Although Finally
In conclusion
Indeed
Consequently
good/ fun things
bad things
things that are good
and bad
changing classes
and teachers
Sat test
field trips
Ms. Trunchbull
And Ms. Honey
not like elementary school
miss school
more freedom
compare to stale food
might be boring
more tests and harder
not get to sit with friends
stress-stomach hurts
PE
no line
choose food
spending time with friends
Stars are
key ideas or controlling statements.
Explanations
Examples,
Evidence are listed below.
sitting in math longer
makes me sick
clothes sweat
Fun to play & compete
HOMEWORK
too much
pull up grades
Conclusion: Sum up what you’ve said. Refer back to your introduction.
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This is an important step!
Don’t try to write your paper
without doing an outline first.
Why?!
•You will be graded on organization.
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Sample Introduction
Although I have taken many wonderful
vacations, my trip with my two best friends to
New York City is one I’ll always remember.
This was a fantastic trip because of the sights
we saw, the people we met, the plays we
enjoyed, and the laughs we shared.
What’s the topic?
What’s the plan?
Each part of the plan
will be developed into
paragraphs.
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After you make your web or outline,
start writing your introduction.
Leave space at the top for two more
lines. ( It won’t count against you.)You
might come back later to insert a little
background information in the
introduction. Remember to grab
interest and show the plan of your
paper in the introduction.
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Introduction
Have you ever thought about what are the
good and the bad things in seventh grade? There
are good things like changing classes and more
freedom. Some of the bad things are you have to
stay in school longer, you have SAT tests, and tests
get harder. Stay with me as I explain the good and
bad things about being in the seventh grade.
How does the writer grab your attention?
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Let’s start on the body. Go
back to your web or outline for
the second paragraph.
Good Fun Things
-Changing classes and teachers
-Ms. Trunchbull & Ms. Honey
More Freedom
- no line
-See friends at lunch
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First I will tell you about the good and fun things about
being in the seventh grade.You get to change classes so
if one teacher is like Mrs. Trunchbull in Matilda, you are
only with her for part of the day. If your teacher is like Ms.
Honey you will enjoy a fabulous time with her. Another
thing I enjoy is more freedom. We don’t have to walk in
straight lines as if we were soldiers marching off to war.
Next, you can get your own food instead of having the
lunch ladies get it for you. I like spending time with my
friends so if there are not in one of my classes, I can see
them at lunch.
Transition words help!
Does he explain, give examples, use metaphors?
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Look back at your outline for
the third paragraph
Bad things
SAT Test
-not like elementary school
-compare to stale bread
more test and harder
-stress stomach hurts
-math makes me sick
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Next I’m writing about the bad things you go through in
seventh grade. First of all you have to take the SAT test.
In elementary school you didn’t have to worry about this
kind of thing. The SAT test is like eating stale food
because it can hurt you and it can be boring. The tests
get harder as you go on. We have so many of them they
can cause a major stress and make you feel like your
stomach was just pulled out. At my elementary school we
got out fifteen minutes earlier. Sitting in math class for
that extra minutes makes me feel terrible inside.
Did you find the transitions? What are the
key ideas? How does he explain his key
ideas? What is the metaphor?
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Look back to your outline before
writing the fourth paragraph
things that are both good & bad
Field Trips
-miss school
-might be boring
PE
-clothes sweat
-fun to play and compete
Homework
-too much
-pull up grades
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Finally my next category is going to be things that
come good and bad. First field trips are extremely fun
because you can talk and miss school. However it’s bad if
you go somewhere boring or can’t sit with your friend.
Everybody loves P.E. because we play real sports with
competitiveness. But sadly when we’re leaving PE, my
clothes get sweaty which doesn’t feel good. Everybody
knows the pluses and minuses of Homework! We have so
much homework it just takes the energy out of you, which
is bad. What is good about it is that the more homework
you have, the better chance you have to pull up your
grade.
Did you find the transitions? What are the key ideas?
How does he explain his key ideas?
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Now we are ready for the fifth
paragraph – the conclusion which will
summarize our main points or key
ideas in the body.
Good and bad things
freedom
changing classes
SAT test
going to school longer
tests
Good and Bad
Homework
PE
Fieldtrips
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In conclusion the seventh grade has good and bad things
involved. Such as more freedom, and changing classes.
Some other things are SAT test, going to school longer, and
quizzes and tests. Homework, P.E., and field trips fall into
both of those categories.
What are your transitions? Does the writer
sum up what he written? Does he refer back
to the introduction.
This paragraph was from an actual essay
written by a student for the state writing
assessment. His organization gave him a four.
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Summary









Identify your prompt
Plan your work with an outline.
Give your work a title with an action word.
Grab interest in the beginning
Build your paragraph with explanations,
examples, & evidence following the topic
statement or key statement.
Use strong action words
Use vivid adjectives
Use metaphors
Finished? Reread & reread to improve and
clarify.
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Credits
Created by Chris Browning for Arrington Middle
School, Birmingham City Schools
Maureen Autum Step Up to Writing Program
Birmingham City Schools workshops presenters
Jerrie Foster, Gail Brown, Theresa Thomas,
Jacquelyn Washington, Janet McMiller
State of Alabama workshop presentations Rhonda
Silmon –Teaching clear thinking before writing.
Lecture Demonstration with Rick Shelton & Write
Where You Are!
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