Elaboration Writing

What is the primary purpose of elaborating on your ideas in a paragraph or essay?

• To simply restate your topic sentence in different words.

• To explain your arguments and prove your topic sentence or thesis is correct.

• To introduce new, unrelated ideas to make your writing longer.

• To only present evidence without any personal interpretation.

What is a topic sentence?

• The evidence from the text to support the argument.

• The main idea of the paragraph.

• The reasoning for the evidence.

• The final sentence of the paragraph.

When using a rhetorical question in your writing, what is crucial to do afterward?

• Immediately move on to the next point to maintain flow.

• Provide a direct answer to the rhetorical question.

• Elaborate on your argument to explain the point you're making.

• Introduce a new rhetorical question to keep the reader engaged.

A LOT of you like to use rhetorical questions (questions that cannot be answered because you aren't talking to anyone in the writing). What is the problem students have with using a rhetorical question?

• Students don't explain the question and how it supports the argument.

• Only the reader can answer the question.

• The reader answers the questions and then the student writer has to wait for the answer to continue writing their response.

• The student forgets the answer before writing anything else.

Why is it important to define keywords or concepts in your writing, even if you understand them?

• To make your paragraph longer and meet word count requirements.

• To avoid assuming the reader's understanding and ensure clarity.

• To demonstrate your extensive vocabulary to the reader.

• To challenge the reader's existing knowledge of the topic.

What should you do after presenting a quote or evidence in your writing?

• Immediately transition to the next piece of evidence.

• Briefly restate the quote in your own words.

• Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument.

• Ask a rhetorical question related to the quote.

What does "redundant" mean?

• Telling someone information that is not true.

• Not understanding what you're saying.

• Saying the same thing over and over.

• Trying to use strong vocabulary that you don't truly understand.

What is the last step in revising your writing?

• Check for elaboration.

• Revise spelling and grammar mistakes.

• You don't ever need to revise writing.

• Have a friend read the writing and revise it.