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How do you write good explications?

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Anonymous

15y ago
Updated: 8/16/2019

An explication is an essay in which a work of literature is "explained." Click on the Related Link for a professor's viewpoint!

Here's what another professor had to say:

Paragraph 1: Introduction-Get the reader's attention. Make a transition to the
thesis. State the controlling idea (thesis) of the essay.

Paragraph 2: Analysis of 1st literary device-Clearly identify the topic of the
paragraph-not just the device but how it relates to the theme. Give specific
examples from the text which show how the device is used, explain how those
examples fit the definition of that device, and show how those examples help
to communicate the theme of the passage. (Keep in mind that you should have
approximately two sentences of explanation for every one sentence of
example.) A good concluding (clincher) sentence may help to pull together
your ideas and make a transition to the next paragraph.

Paragraph 3: Analysis of 2nd literary device.*

Paragraph 4: Analysis of 3rd literary device.*

Paragraph 5: Conclusion-This should tie together the main ideas of the essay.
It should not simply summarize or repeat the ideas, but should extend them by
establishing a relationship between the passage and why we should understand
it. It's often helpful to think of this as the answer to the "so what" question-
why is this passage important to us?

*Note that the pattern used to explicate the first literary element/device should also be used for explaining the second and third devices.
Mrs. B. McDaniel
(see Related Link for full article)

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Wiki User

15y ago

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