1.  Brainstorm Ideas

2.  Create a Graphic Organizer

3.  Create a Thesis Statement

4.  Write a First Draft

5.  Peer Reviews the Draft

6.  Final Draft Completed

Layer your evidence and support of the main ideas or argument. Explain, explain and explain again.

Your reader will not understand your answer to the prompt unless you support your ideas with a variety of evidence or examples.

Elaboration Strategies

Anecdotes - a short narrative inserted into an essay that develops an idea or argument.

Scenario - hypothetical situation or event.

Examples - provide more specific information about an idea.

Definitions - restate an unfamiliar word or phrase to tell what it means.

Statistic and Facts - the numbers (data) and information that help support your idea or argument.

Quotations - words someone says that can help support your idea or argument.

Descriptions - a way to create vivid images for the reader. Show, not just tell, your reader. Be specific with your word choice. Try to create an image that appeals to your reader's sense.

Dialogue - conversation that moves along an event, develops character, adds description.

Copyright@2006 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.