Unit 2, EA 1: Writing an Expository Essay
Option A: Write an essay that compares and contrasts life in the dystopian society of the novel you read with our modern-day society.
What should I do first?
Choose 3 features of a dystopian society to compare/contrast. Determine/explain how each feature makes the society in your novel and our modern-day society dystopian
**You need at least 2 embedded quotes in your essay (see reverse for examples).**
Paragraph 1: Introduction (see p. 80-81 in SpringBoard if you forgot what a hook, bridge, or thesis are)

Hook- Draw your reader in with one of the following: anecdote, question, quote, intriguing statement
regarding dystopian societies — 1 sentence

Bridge– Connect your hook to your thesis—1-2 sentences

Thesis– A detailed statement with 3 features you can compare/contrast between the novel’s society and our
modern-day society—1 sentence
Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph Write sentences in order.

Topic Sentence stating first feature—must use a transition from box A.

1 sentence paraphrasing or using an embedded quote to explain that feature in your novel’s society—use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence explaining how this is an example of dystopia-use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence comparing/contrasting that feature in our modern-day society—use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence explaining whether this makes our society a utopia or dystopia
Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph Write sentences in order.

Topic Sentence stating second feature—must use a transition from box A.

1 sentence paraphrasing or using an embedded quote to explain that feature in your novel’s society—use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence explaining how this is an example of dystopia-use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence comparing/contrasting that feature in our modern-day society—use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence explaining whether this makes our society a utopia or dystopia
Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph Write sentences in order.

Topic Sentence stating third feature—must use a transition from box A.

1 sentence paraphrasing or using an embedded quote to explain that feature in your novel’s society—use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence explaining how this is an example of dystopia-use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence comparing/contrasting that feature in our modern-day society—use transitions from box B and/or C

1 sentence explaining whether this makes our society a utopia or dystopia
Paragraph 5: Conclusion

3-4 sentences restating your 3 features and explaining how your novel’s society is a dystopia, and stating your
opinion on if our modern-day society is a utopia or dystopia in comparison
Unit 2, EA 1: Writing an Expository Essay
Option B: Write an essay that explains how the protagonist (hero) changes as a
result of conflict with his dystopian society (Road of Trials), and explain how this
change connects to the novel’s theme (the Crossing, or Return Threshold).
What should I do first?
1. Determine 3 trials that change the protagonist which create/develop conflict between him
and the dystopian society.
2. Determine the theme of the novel (lesson/moral/message).
**You need at least 2 embedded quotes in your essay (see reverse for examples).**
Paragraph 1: Introduction (see p. 80-81 in SpringBoard if you forgot what a hook, bridge, or thesis are)

Hook- Draw your reader in with one of the following: anecdote, question, quote, intriguing statement
regarding how conflict creates a change in in a character’s viewpoint— 1 sentence

Bridge– Connect your hook to your thesis—1-2 sentences

Thesis– A detailed statement with 3 trials that caused the protagonist to conflict with their society AND the
theme of the novel (lesson/moral/message/Crossing)—1 sentence
Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph Write sentences in order.

Topic Sentence stating first trial—must use a transition from box A.

1 sentence paraphrasing or using an embedded quote to explain that trial —use transitions from box B

1 sentence explaining how this caused conflict between the protagonist and the dystopian society ideals-use
transitions from box B

1 sentence explaining how this conflict caused the protagonist to take action or change their way of thinking—
use transitions from box B

1 sentence restating the importance/impact of this trial on the hero’s journey
Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph Write sentences in order.

Topic Sentence stating second trial—must use a transition from box A.

1 sentence paraphrasing or using an embedded quote to explain that trial —use transitions from box B

1 sentence explaining how this caused conflict between the protagonist and the dystopian society ideals-use
transitions from box B

1 sentence explaining how this conflict caused the protagonist to take action or change their way of thinking—
use transitions from box B

1 sentence restating the importance/impact of this trial on the hero’s journey
Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph Write sentences in order.

Topic Sentence stating the third trial—must use a transition from box A.

1 sentence paraphrasing or using an embedded quote to explain that trial —use transitions from box B

1 sentence explaining how this caused conflict between the protagonist and the dystopian society ideals-use
transitions from box B

1 sentence explaining how this conflict caused the protagonist to take action or change their way of thinking—
use transitions from box B

1 sentence restating the importance/impact of this trial on the hero’s journey
Paragraph 5: Conclusion

3-4 sentences explaining the Crossing/Return Threshold event, and the overall theme of the text as it applies to
the protagonist and as it can be applied to our own society. (What did he learn and what can we learn from this
story?)
Embedded Quote Examples