Explanatory/ Informational Essay: Suspense

ATTACK THE PROMPT: Authors use various techniques to create suspense. These techniques include describing a character’s anxiety or fear; using vivid words to describe dramatic sights, sounds, or feelings; repeating words, phrases, or character’s actions; and foreshadowing. Using multiple texts, select examples of suspense that support these techniques.

Begin by developing a thesis/controlling idea to explain how authors create suspense through these techniques. Once you have a thesis/controlling idea, select the most relevant information from more than one source to support it. Then, write a multi-paragraph informational essay explaining your thesis/controlling idea.

Be sure to use direct quotations with appropriate citations.

Check Do What

✅ Using multiple texts, select examples of suspense that support these techniques.

Begin/ develop

Select

Write

Once, completed: REMEMBER to REVISE: • NO personal pronouns: I, ME, MY, OUR, US, WE. • NO 2nd person: YOU, YOUR • Check off ATTACK THE PROMPT LIST • READ ALOUD • USE resources to guide the editing process

• Past response paragraphs • Peer Grade feedback • Response paragraph checklist (this is for the body paragraphs only)

Informational/ Explanatory Essay Notes

What is an Informational/

Explanatory essay?

Sample Prompt: ATTACK

Key Questions

Thesis statement/ Controlling idea

Organization/ Purpose

Evidence

Elaboration/ Analysis

• Writing that explains or answers questions such as: o What does this mean? o How does this work? o Why does this happen? o Why is this important?

Technological advances change the way we live. Research how our world has changed as a result of the automobile, the telephone, the television, or the computer. Write an essay in which you explain how one particular technological invention has changed the world and how we live. Remember to include specific examples from your research that clearly illustrate your thinking.

• Who is the audience? • What is my purpose? • What are the key ideas I must address? • What specific components do I need to include?

• Essay will be controlled by a thesis statement/ controlling idea:

SOMETHING, usually three discussion points, YOU WILL PROVE THROUGHOUT YOUR ESSAY

• Clear and effective organizational structure for the essay as a

whole and within individual paragraphs using transitions • Focus is consistent and purposeful • Creates a sense of unity and completeness

• Utilize comprehensive evidence, from multiple sources, to

support your thesis/controlling idea • Evidence can be paraphrased or directly quoted and must be

Well integrated into the essay (lead in) Relevant Specific Cited (MLA)

• Evidence must be fully explained with a direct connection to

how the information supports the stated thesis/controlling idea

Suspense Suspense is a feeling of growing _____TENSION___ and ______EXCITEMENT_____ felt by a reader. Suspense makes a reader ___CURIOUS___ about the outcome of a story or an event within the story. A writer creates suspense by raising ___QUESTIONS_______ in the reader’s mind. Writers use various techniques to create suspense.

Techniques to create suspense

Example (properly cited)

Describing a character’s anxiety or fear

“Presently, I heard a slight groan and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror” (Poe 91).

Using vivid words to describe dramatic sights, sounds, or actions

“He had the eye of a vulture – a pale blue eye with a film over it. When it fell upon me, my blood ran cold” (Poe 89).

"I felt that I must scream or die!-and now-again!-hark! louder! louder! louder!-" (Poe 94).

Repeating words,

phrases, or character’s actions

Foreshadowing

"True! --nervous --very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? ... How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily --how calmly I can tell you the whole story" (Poe 89).

(when the writer provides hints that suggest future events in a story)

Informational/ Explanatory Essay Notes: Introduction Introductions help writers…

1. Reveal their essay’s controlling idea or thesis (SOMETHING, usually three discussion points, YOU WILL PROVE THROUGHOUT YOUR PAPER)

2. Guide readers to important ideas in the body of the essay 3. Provide relevant background information to help readers understand the essay’s purpose

and thesis.

What to Avoid 1. I am going to tell you about…, In this paragraph…, In this

essay… 2. Do you like [topic]? 3. Hi! My name is … 4. In this paper, I will… 5. I believe OR In my opinion

Sentence 1: Hook. Grab the reader’s attention by introducing the topic. General statement.

Example: There was a time, years ago, when traveling far outside one’s hometown was an impossibility for many.

Sentence 2: Provide relevant background knowledge, answer the prompt

Example: The technological advancement of the automobile has revolutionized our world.

Sentence 3: Thesis that lists three points of interest (these points of interest will become your three body paragraphs)

Example: This form of transportation has allowed individuals the opportunity to travel great distances, caused the creation of the modern day suburb, and made transporting cargo to far reaches of the globe possible.

The Language of Introduction: Sentence Frames • is significant because . • is an important topic because . • To understand it is necessary to take a closer look at . • A discussion of must include . • The examination of will reveal that . • The impact of can be seen in .

Student Introduction

Informational/ Explanatory Essay Notes: Conclusion Conclusions help writers…

• Tie up loose ends; give the essay a sense of completeness • Answer the question “so what?”(why is this important) • Stress the importance of the thesis statement • Leave a final impression on the reader.

WHAT TO AVOID 1. In conclusion, in summary, to close… 2. Simply restating the introduction in the exact same way 3. Introducing a new idea 4. THE END

Sentence 1: Transition that puts the prompt into a direct statement

Example: For these reasons, one can see that the automobile has clearly changed the way humans live, and thereby, the world.

Sentence 2: Restate thesis (change the order of the sentence, use synonyms)

Introduction Thesis Statement: This form of transportation has allowed individuals the

opportunity to travel great distances, caused the creation of the modern day suburb, and made

transporting cargo to far reaches of the globe possible.

Restated as…

Example: The ability to travel to far off locations, the formation of the modern day suburbia,

and the power to carry cargo are all examples of the automobile’s impact.

Sentence 3: Leave your reader with a profound (deep, reflective) thought.

Example: Reflecting on this single innovation triggers a deep sense of wonder as to what lay

ahead for our world in the years to come.

The Language of Conclusion: Sentence Frames • clearly illustrates that . • Most importantly . • Ultimately . • For these reasons . • One can see . • Therefore, .

Student Conclusion

Informational/ Explanatory Essay Notes: Body Paragraphs Your thesis/controlling idea (in introduction) drives the organization of your essay.

Example thesis/controlling idea: This form of transportation has allowed individuals the opportunity to

travel great distances, caused the creation of the modern day suburb, and made transporting cargo to far

reaches of the globe possible.

*You may choose to include more than one source in each paragraph, BUT requirements for each remain the same: (background transition lead in evidence elaboration/ analysis).

Body Paragraph Break Down Topic Sentence: A sentence that introduces the contents of the paragraph, one point of your thesis Background: Relevant background knowledge to understand quote must be given (what is happening in the text at the point of your quote?) Include TAGS. Transition Lead in:

� Transition (For example, for instance) � Set up the reader for your quote.

Evidence: a relevant quotation from the text that will support your thesis. Cite correctly. Elaboration/ Analysis: Discuss the quote (evidence).

� Explain the quote � Analyze what the quote says � You must show how the quote supports this point of your thesis.

Concluding Sentence: wraps up this paragraph

The Language of Explanation: Body Words Instead of Things/Stuff -An analysis of ___ suggests that… -For example, -A key reason for this is … -Another example can be found in… -This example explains … -It is widely recognized that… -Take into consideration… -This is true because… -This illustrates the importance of… -As a result of ____________, it became clear that …

-Another example of________ can be seen in… -For instance, -A key reason for this is … _____ is an example of how… -Other explanations include… -This example points to … -On the other hand, -In contrast to _________, _________ is… -This suggests that… -This illustrates the importance of… -Yet another reason may be…

Abilities elements points Actions events problems Advances facts projects Advantages features promises Adventures feelings qualities Agreements frustrations reasons Aspects ideas remedies Attributes impressions resources Behaviors improvements responses Characteristics items sections Choices matters situations Concerns movements skills Conflicts occasions successes Contributions occurrences surprises Corrections parts talents Details performances themes Difficulties periods thoughts Effects places troubles

Body Paragraph Sample The automobile was revolutionary in the creation of modern-day suburbia. According to the

article, “The History of the Automobile,” people previously had to live very close to where they worked.

This meant over crowded cities and sparsely populated farms. However, the invention and mass

distribution of the automobile made it possible for people to reside outside of the city, within a suburban

community, but “work in the city by commuting” (“The History of the Automobile”). People could now

choose their home based on factors outside of proximity to their occupation. This changed how humans

live in that, no longer did one have to choose between the rural or city life. A middle ground, favored by

families, was born. Clearly, the automobile contributed to the formation of suburbia which lessoned the

limitations of human habitation

Student Body Paragraph

Before you start, consider these questions: Which point of your thesis will you discuss? What quote will support

your point? How does the quote prove that this technique creates suspense?

Informational/ Explanatory Essay Study Guide

What is an informational/ explanatory essay? Writing that explains or answers questions such as:

o What does this mean? o How does this work? o Why does this happen? o Why is this important?

Key Questions to Consider o Who is the audience? o What is my purpose? o What are the key ideas I must address? o What specific components do I need to include?

Introduction _____Sentence 1: Hook. Grab the reader’s attention by introducing the topic. General statement.

_____Sentence 2: Provide relevant background knowledge, answer the prompt.

_____Sentence 3: Thesis that lists three points of interest (these points of interest will become your three

body paragraphs)

Body Paragraph (you can have as many body paragraphs as you need) _____Topic Sentence: A sentence that introduces the contents of the paragraph, one point of your thesis

_____Background: Relevant background knowledge to understand quote must be given

_____Transition Lead in:

� Transition (For example, for instance)

� Set up the reader for your quote

_____Evidence: a relevant quotation from the text that will support your thesis. Cite correctly

_____Elaboration/ Analysis: Discuss the quote (evidence)

� Explain the quote

� Analyze what the quote says

� You must show how the quote supports this point of your thesis

_____Concluding Sentence: wraps up this paragraph

Conclusion _____Sentence 1: Transition that puts the prompt into a direct statement

_____Sentence 2: Restate thesis (change the order of the sentence, use synonyms)

_____Sentence 3: Leave your reader with a profound (deep, reflective) thought