Expository Essay question...

[Sara213]

I'm kind of stuck on how to start and expository essay. I've looked online for help but none of them really give a clear explanation that i have seen. If anyone has suggestions that would be great.


I know i should start with some sort of definition...but how do you define something like this?


This is the question:

Write and expository essay of 750 to 1000 words tracing King Lear's progress in Act II from denial to rage to isolation.

[Lokasenna]

That sort of question is one that would be very difficult to intially address with a definition. Its been far too long since I read Lear to be tremendously helpful in the specifics, but I would advise you get now to the nitty-gritty and do some really close reading of the text. Your teacher, by setting a specific part of the play, will be wanting that.

Lear has some fantastic speeches - just get stuck into them, and you'll find your word count will fill up easily enough!

Good luck!:thumbs_up

[Sara213]

Yeah....I know that is why i'm stuck. I'm like how do you define something like that.

Okay thanks for you input :)

I've already read the book twice.

[joseph90ie]

I don't know how to advise you on this. There are as many ways of starting an essay as there are people. You know what I think? Look for a couple of quotes which you think best exemplify Lear's denial, then a couple more for rage, and the same for isolation. Now, take your denial and set the scene, what's happening. Then give your opinion of it, as in why you think Lear is reacting like this and did he have his punishment coming. That should be about two paragraphs. Then move onto rage, once again set the scene around the quotes you've chosen, simply describing what's happening now. Give your opinion of it once again, saying why you think he is angry (filial ingratitude or whatever), and say if this is any improvement on denial. Do the same on isolation, describing the scene around the quotes you've chosen. This is where you'll give most of your opinion, where you'll do most of your thinking, so give it careful thought and the best of your mind. Say why you think he has become isolated. Has he successfully come to terms with his problem or was it fate? What was it in his character that brought him to the stage he's at? Could things have been any different for this sort of man? That kind of thing. -- One thing is crucial: whenever you're giving your thoughts about Lear, don't refer to things that haven't happened in the story, that aren't there to be found in what Bill Shakes has written. If you say something that the text doesn't support in some way, you'll get no marks, no matter how intelligent your point may be.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yeah....I know that is why i'm stuck. I'm like how do you define something like that.

I don't see why you need to define anything, just give a close reading of the change in Lear in that scene in the usual way.

Funny I have just a few hours ago finished reading and watching Lear. I wish I was studying Shakespeare again instead of the politics of the postmodern - amongst other things.

[Sara213]

I'll give it a try and see if i can make a good introduction.

[Wilde woman]

Why do you feel like you have to define something in your first sentence? I think you introductory paragraph should simply give your opinion on the question, i.e. your thesis statement.

If you're really having trouble starting the paper, then just use your thesis statement as a beginning, skip the introductory paragraph, and write your body paragraphs with all your evidence first. Once you've found your writing rhythm, you should be able to go back and fill in an introductory paragraph.

And in terms of content, I think this website provides a nice analysis of Lear's character: http://www.shmoop.com/character/literature/william-shakespeare/king-lear/king-lear.html

[Sara213]

is the thesis the part of the question...tracing path from denial to rage and to isolation? or is it what i have to make up on my own?


I was just having trouble to start it off. is all. I didn't know if there was a golden rule to writing an expository essay or not because i never written one before.

Thanks for that webpage! I didn't even find this while researching pages...before. it will come in handy Thanks again!

[Wilde woman]

is the thesis the part of the question...tracing path from denial to rage and to isolation? or is it what i have to make up on my own?

The thesis is your argument, so it's what you make up to answer the question. It's your opinion and it'll be the most important part of your paper. All your body paragraphs will be in some way supporting or providing evidence for your thesis statement.

If you end up using the website, there's a little blue box at the bottom left-hand corner where you can find a citation generator. It'll help you cite exactly which pages of the website you want to quote.

Hope this is helpful!

[Sara213]

The thesis is your argument, so it's what you make up to answer the question. It's your opinion and it'll be the most important part of your paper. All your body paragraphs will be in some way supporting or providing evidence for your thesis statement.

If you end up using the website, there's a little blue box at the bottom left-hand corner where you can find a citation generator. It'll help you cite exactly which pages of the website you want to quote.

Hope this is helpful!


Yes, I've seen that there. Thanks!


I managed to get an introduction done and now working on the body paragraphs.


:)