Elaboration Strategies

Explain

• Tell what you mean.• EX: This color is not right for you. In other

words, you look dull in beige and should wear blue like your eyes.

• Transitions: This means that…, To clarify…, To explicate…, In other words…

Exemplify

• Give an example• EX: My brother helps me out when I am in

trouble. Yesterday, for example, I missed the bus and he drove me to school. I had a test first period, and he didn’t want me to fail.

• Transitions: For example… (should ALWAYS be embedded), For instance…, An example of…, To exemplify…

Literal Description

• Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using concrete nouns, specific adjectives, and strong verbs.

• EX: My bedroom looks good now because I redecorated. I purchased a black and white striped comforter and three firm, round black pillows to toss on it.

Figurative Description

• Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, etc.).

• EX: My bedroom looks good now because I redecorated. My bed looks like a zebra with its black and white striped comforter.

Narrative

• Relate a personal experience to show what you mean.• EX: Grandpa Tom has a great sense of humor. One time when I

was visiting his grocery store, I watched him cut up chickens. He gave me a chicken head and told me that if I planted it in the garden and didn’t disturb it for three weeks, I’d have a chicken bush. I took the chicken head home and buried it; but, after only three days, my curiosity overcame me and I dug it up. When I told Grandpa Tom that nothing was growing, he said it was too bad because it would only work once; he knew I couldn’t wait three days without looking!

• NOTE: NO MORE THAN FIVE SENTENCES FOR A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!

Cause and Effect

• Giving the reasons an event happened or the results of the event.

• EX: Because Grandpa Tom had such a great sense of humor, he always made us laugh.

• Transitions: Because_____happened…, As a result of________...

Comparison/Contrast

• Giving similarities and/or differences between two or more things.

• EX: Grandpa Tom had a wonderful sense of humor in contrast to grouchy Grandma Susie.

• Transitions: In contrast to…, This contrasts…, On the other hand…, In comparison to…, Similar to…

The Use of Other’s Experiences

• Giving specifics through other people’s words.• EX: My father once told me that he enjoyed

Grandpa’s jokes and laughter.

Red Bow Conclusion

• After you have elaborated, you will need to tie it all together with a red bow… your CONCLUSION SENTENCE.

Activity1. Miss Maggie was a _____ kind

of person.2. Give an explanation of why she

was _____.3. Give an example of her being

_____.4. You will be assigned another

elaboration technique.Don’t forget to tie it all together

with a big red bow!

Review: Ways to Elaborate

•E•E•L•F•N•C•C•O

•Explain•Example•Literal Description•Figurative Description•Narrative•Compare/Contrast•Cause/Effect•Other’s Experiences

Ticket out the DoorWrite a paragraph that answers the prompt below. Be sure to identify the PAC before you start writing.

PROMPT: Who are you? Write a paragraph in which you explain your personality to someone who as never met you.

Topic Sentence ExplainExample2 Elaboration StrategiesRed Bow Conclusion