1. Making an old handout new…again

2. Old doc gets a makeover
Visual Representation of Three-Ex Strategies
EXPOSITION
approximately 1-4 sentences The 3EX Strategy—a smart way to think about paragraph structure
(What is the point? Why is it relevant?) ;;;;;;;eee
This chart shows what elements go into a well developed paragraph.
EXAMPLE Keeping these EX’s in mind will help you structure a fine paragraph.
approximately 1-2 sentences for each point
(Fact(s), quotes, and other types of evidence from observation or research)
EXPLANATION
approximately 2-6 sentences for each example Exposition 1-4 sentences
(Links fact(s) to point and explains its significance. Also may include scenarios
as illustrations of fact’s significance) • what is the paragraph's point? Paragraphs should only make
one point.
• why is it relevant?
Exposition sentences state your claim(s) or subclaim(s). Example 2-3 sentences for each point
They introduce ideas and tell readers why your ideas are important. Sometimes this type of
sentence might be called a “topic sentence,” “main point,” or even a “thesis statement.” While • facts, quotes, and other types of evidence from research and
not every paragraph requires an explicitly stated point, many types of writing do require that you observations--solid evidence for the exposition
have explicit statements of exposition. When highlighting paragraphs within your essay, think of
• examples should give concrete evidence of the exposition.
exposition sentences as yellow.
Example: The text in the ad indicates the importance of physical appearance.
Example sentences provide support for the exposition. Explanation 2-6 sentences for each example
Your support might come from research, from close-reading of a text you are responding to, or
from your own experience and observation. Generally, you should have at least two examples • links examples (facts) to exposition (point)
for every major point of exposition in your essay. When highlighting paragraphs within your • explains examples significance-may include scenarios as
essay, think of example sentences as pink. illustrations of fact's significance
Example: The answer in the pink box reads, “I love my mother, but I don’t love her
thighs.”
Explanation sentences explain how your example(s) illustrate your exposition.
These sentences show readers how you got from Point A to Point B. How exactly do your 
examples support your point? Also, how does a paragraph’s point relate to previous points
made? How do you define important terms of your discussion? When highlighting paragraphs
within your essay, think of explanation sentences as blue.

Example: This answer stresses the idea of maintaining what the woman considers to be a
positive physical appearance.

3. Visual Representation of Three-Ex Strategies
The Old
EXPOSITION
approximately 1-4 sentences
(What is the point? Why is it relevant?)
EXAMPLE
approximately 1-2 sentences for each point
(Fact(s), quotes, and other types of evidence from observation or research)
EXPLANATION
approximately 2-6 sentences for each example
 I have been using this
(Links fact(s) to point and explains its significance. Also may include scenarios
as illustrations of fact’s significance) handout for 3 years and it
is very dull and confusing.
Exposition sentences state your claim(s) or subclaim(s).
They introduce ideas and tell readers why your ideas are important. Sometimes this type of
sentence might be called a “topic sentence,” “main point,” or even a “thesis statement.” While
There is too much text on
not every paragraph requires an explicitly stated point, many types of writing do require that you
have explicit statements of exposition. When highlighting paragraphs within your essay, think of
exposition sentences as yellow.
the page, and the layout is
Example: The text in the ad indicates the importance of physical appearance.
Example sentences provide support for the exposition.
visually busy, which can
Your support might come from research, from close-reading of a text you are responding to, or
from your own experience and observation. Generally, you should have at least two examples
for every major point of exposition in your essay. When highlighting paragraphs within your
create confusion for the
essay, think of example sentences as pink.
Example: The answer in the pink box reads, “I love my mother, but I don’t love her
thighs.”
student.
Explanation sentences explain how your example(s) illustrate your exposition.
These sentences show readers how you got from Point A to Point B. How exactly do your  My goal was to make
examples support your point? Also, how does a paragraph’s point relate to previous points
made? How do you define important terms of your discussion? When highlighting paragraphs
within your essay, think of explanation sentences as blue.
something simple and
Example: This answer stresses the idea of maintaining what the woman considers to be a
positive physical appearance. clean.

4. The New The 3EX Strategy—a smart way to think about paragraph structure
;;;;;;;eee
This chart shows what elements go into a well developed paragraph.
Keeping these EX’s in mind will help you structure a fine paragraph.
 Color—the color pattern
is harmonious to suggest
the harmony of the Exposition 1-4 sentences
paragraph. • what is the paragraph's point? Paragraphs should only make
one point.
• why is it relevant?
 Shape—the shapes used
Example 2-3 sentences for each point
are a repetition of • facts, quotes, and other types of evidence from research and
rectangles, again to show observations--solid evidence for the exposition
• examples should give concrete evidence of the exposition.
similarities.
Explanation 2-6 sentences for each example
 Text revision—the “EX” • links examples (facts) to exposition (point)
words stand out in the • explains examples significance-may include scenarios as
illustrations of fact's significance
box and the definition of
each “EX” is bulleted for 
clarity. 

5. A Color Map of a well organized paragraph
using the 3EX strategy
Ex p o si t i o n      

Color Map




    Example

 I added another graphic


element because I wanted

explanation the class to see how a



paragraph is organized by
Example

color.


explanation
 The shape and color are

 important because the

Ex p o si t i o n   
 rectangle is suggests strong






support and the colors


harmonious, much like a
paragraph should be.

6. Final Handout
The 3EX Strategy—a smart way to think about paragraph structure A Color Map of a well organized paragraph
;;;;;;;eee
using the 3EX strategy
This chart shows what elements go into a well developed paragraph.
Keeping these EX’s in mind will help you structure a fine paragraph.
Ex p o si t i o n      





Exposition 1-4 sentences     Example


• what is the paragraph's point? Paragraphs should only make 
one point. 
• why is it relevant? explanation

Example 2-3 sentences for each point 

• facts, quotes, and other types of evidence from research and Example
observations--solid evidence for the exposition 
• examples should give concrete evidence of the exposition. 

explanation
Explanation 2-6 sentences for each example 

• links examples (facts) to exposition (point) 
• explains examples significance-may include scenarios as Ex p o si t i o n   

illustrations of fact's significance 








