The Assignment: Write a 3 to 4 page essay that explains a concept. Choose a concept that interests you and that you want to study further. MLA format

Invention: You might start by listing as many concepts as you can. If your first choice doesn't work out, refer back to your list.
Examples:
     Computers -- virtual reality, the Information Highway, hypertext,
     History -- absolutism, fascism, the Industrial Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution,
     Cold War
     Art -- Impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, cubism
     Literature -- realism, naturalism, the tragic hero, stream of consciousness
     Government -- communism, balance of power, political machine, interest group,
      republic, fascism, popular sovereignty
     Education -- Distance Education, Constructivism, Cooperative Education

Exploring the Concept: Start by writing whatever you know about the concept and why you find it interesting. If you are thinking about a concept from one of your courses, take a look at the text and lecture notes. You may also need to know how experts define the concept. Look for current material on your topic.

Focusing the Topic: Once you have thought about your topic and done some research, choose a focus for your essay. Most topics are fairly broad, and you cannot possibly cover every aspect: definition, history, significance, research studies, etc. Limit your essay. Find a point or points that you can manage within the requirements of the paper.

Considering the Audience: The focus of your essay should reflect your interest in the topic and the audience's potential interest and knowledge. Think about what aspects of the topic might interest the audience, what might the audience want to learn about the topic, and how you are going to hold the audience's interest.

Establishing the Main Point: Your essay needs a main point and possibly a thesis. To decide on a main point, think about why it interests you, why your readers might be interested, and why or how the topic might be significant.

Explanatory Strategies: Consider which strategies might be effective in presenting your information. How will you define the concept? Can it be prepared to other concepts? Can it be divided into parts or categories? What are its causes or effects?

Basic Features of Explanatory Essays

   A focused subject. The primary purpose for writing an explanatory essay is to inform readers. Writers
      cannot explain everything, so they must make choices about what to include and what to emphasize.
   A main point. In explaining a concept, writers make points about the concept. The main point, or
      the thesis, asserts something significant or interesting about the concept.
   An appeal to the readers’ interests. Writers often gain and hold the readers’ attention by appealing
      to the readers’ interests.
   A logical plan. Explanatory essays must have an organization easily followed by the readers.
      Information should be arranged so that it supports the main point. Writers signal the readers
      with forecasting statements, topic sentences, and clear transitions. Writers should remember,
      however, that although they may understand the topic and how the information is organized,
      readers may not.
   Clear definitions. Essays explaining concepts need clear definitions. Consider the readers’
       knowledge and explain any terms which may be unfamiliar explicitly.
   Careful Use of Sources.  Explanatory essays often utilize information from a variety of sources.
       Citing experts may reinforce an explanation. Pick sources that are reliable. Decide which sources
       or authorities will best support the points you want to make. Make sure your information is
       accurate. Writers are held responsible for any inaccuracies in their writing.

Format: All papers are to be word processed on 8½ x 11 inch paper. Never turn in a paper on flimsy or erasable paper. Double space everything including block quotations and the works cited page. Use 1 inch margins at the top, bottom, and sides of each page. The right margin does not need to be justified. Fonts like Times New Roman or Arial should be used. Don't try to eat up space by using 14 point or larger; keep everything in 12 point. Indent each paragraph five spaces. Block quotations should be indented ten spaces from the left margin. Spellcheck all drafts.
 

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