Improving Writing Style in

Expository Essays

Avoid Quoting Entire Conversations

Example: LaBoeuf calls out Cogburn and says that the group he was in “were not soldiers at all but murdering thieves” LaBoeuf also goes on to say “ ‘I heard they murdered women and children at Lawrence, Kansas’ ‘I have heard that too. It is a damned lie.’” (179).

SolutionSelect the most significant of the text to quote. Paraphrase the rest.

When Cogburn refuses to declare where he served, LaBoeuf presses the issue by confronting the Marshall with Stonehill’s claim that he rode with the infamous Quantrill in a bloody massacre. He tells Cogburn, “I heard they murdered women and children at Lawrence, Kansas” (179). Cogburn denies the rumors of Quantrill’s alleged savagery, but eludes the question of whether or not he was actually there.

Establish Logical Reasoning

Do not talk about Cogburn wanting redemption until establishing something to need redemption for.

It is not clear to say that Cogburn says that he works in the bullet department and therefore he is seeking redemption.

Expand Explanations to Clarify Logical Connections

evasiveness shame

desire for redempti

on

TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

SIMPLE INTERPRETATION

INSIGHTFULINTERPRETATION

Do Not OverstateThe connection between Cogburn’s evasiveness and his desire for redemption is only IMPLIED.

Words like REVEALS, CLEARLY, and PROVES are too strong.

Eliminate Erroneous Claims

Dubious Logic

Cogburn mentions, “I forget just what they call it.” This proves that Cogburn is just scared to fight.

Clear Logic

Cogburn responds to LaBoeuf’s question about where he served in the war by saying, “I forget just what they call it.” The Marshall’s evasiveness suggests that he is does not want to share his real assignment with his companion possibly because he is not proud of it.

Avoid Unclear Pronoun References Explanations should not begin with the phrase This shows that…

“THIS” what?

SolutionBetter This action shows that This event shows that

Even BetterCogburn’s response to LaBoeuf’s remarks shows that…

Use Active Rather Than Passive Voice

Definition Passive voice is when the action of the object is the subject of the sentence

Passive The road was crossed by the chicken ActiveThe chicken crossed the road

Select Quotes to Support Main Ideas and Add New Information

Poor ChoiceThe first chance he got, he went to the front lines to fight at the battle of Five Forks and Petersburg. He tells Cogburn, “There were twenty-five in our party and we got there in time for Five Forks and Petersburg.”

Strong Choice The first chance he got, he went to the front lines to fight at the battle of Five Forks and Petersburg. When Cogburn asks LaBoeuf which side he was on, the Ranger replies, “I was in the army of Northern Virginia, Cogburn, and I don’t have to hang my head when I say it.”

Organizing a Compare-Contrast

Always talk about similarities first

Present ideas by attribute, not by similarities and then differences

Use transition words between examples to show relationships (see handout)

Clarification on Tense

All actions contained within the time frame of the novel should be in PRESENT tense (i.e. when Cogburn and LaBoeuf are talking about their service)

Actions that precede the events in the novel should be discussed in PAST tense (i.e. when Cogburn and LaBoeuf recall their military service)