Narrative strategies

• Be sure to discuss the purpose or significance of your story
• Have a logical organization
• Develop  your idea with details, examples, anecdotes
• Remember to SHOW not tell
• Use an appropriate writing style

Observation strategies

• Create an overall, complex (multi-dimensional) impression that is based on an insight into, interpretation of or idea about your topic.
• Provide a clear organizational strategy (chronological, spatial, or topical)
• Use sensory details and dialogue (gathered through interviews)
• Use vivid language for description

Expository strategies

• Choose one of the explanatory strategies to focus your discussion.  Be sure to stay on topic.
  • Defining
  • Classifying or dividing
  • Comparing and contrasting    
  • Narrating a process
  • Illustrating (giving examples)
  • Reporting cause and effect
• Make sure your paper has a logical order and uses appropriate transitions to help your reader.
• Be sure to use specific details (facts, observations, anecdotes, quotes, statistics…) to support your explanation.  Feel free to use pictures, graphs, or other visuals to help your reader.
• Consider your audience.  Make sure you write in a way that makes your explanation clear for those not familiar with your topic.  

Evaluation strategies

• Present the subject – provide relevant background information on your topic
• Assert an overall judgment  - does not need to be entirely positive or negative
• Provide criteria – create standards for your evaluation
• Give reasons and support – specific evidence
• Consider opposing opinions – be sure to respond to these opinions  (Refute, Concede, or Qualify)
• Establish credibility – show your opinion is valid 

Argumentative strategies

• Present the Issue
• Assert a Clear Position - Be sure your position is a debatable claim
• Argue Directly - Support your position with evidence (Facts, Examples, Explanations, Descriptions, Definitions, Comparisons, Anecdotes, Testimonials, and Statistics)
• Counter argue Objection - Respond to objections (Refute, Concede, or Qualify)
• Establish Credibility - Be knowledgeable, fair and respectful.

Problem-Solution strategies 

• Introduce the problem
  • Consider possible causes.
  • Identify groups affected.
• Propose a solution
  • Be sure to outline specific details about the solution.
  • Explain how the solution will impact specific concerns about the problem.
  • Consider how the solution will impact all groups concerned. 
• Argue Directly for the solution
  • Support your position with evidence (Facts, Examples, Explanations, Descriptions, Definitions, Comparisons, Anecdotes, Testimonials, and Statistics).
  • Use a variety of modes for evidence (text, pictures, charts/graphs, video links, etc.)  
• Counter argue Objections, Questions, and other Solutions
  • Respond to objections (Refute, Concede, or Qualify).
  • How will the solution surpass other options?
• Establish Credibility