For this portfolio, you will be writing a 1 ½ – 2 page double spaced expository essay in which you examine how Gogol’s definition of home changes throughout the novel The Namesake.
Throughout the novel, Gogol is not only searching for his identity but also for his definition of home. Think of all the places Gogol has lived and traveled so far in the novel. As a child, he is born into a small, cramped apartment, and then he eventually moves to the house on Pemberton Road. As a teenager, he lives in India for eight months. In college, he lives in dorm rooms and eventually moves to New York City after graduating. At some points in life, he lives and stays with girlfriends. Gogol also makes small trips and vacations in between these moves. All of these places and trips help develop and influence his sense of home.
The purpose of expository writing is to logically explain and examine a topic or concept. In this essay, you will use information from The Namesake to support your explanation and examination. Expository writing presents an unbiased and balanced explanation of the facts—you do not take sides, include your opinion, or try to persuade readers in expository writing. Expository essays should always be written in third person and use the words he, she, it, and they. Never use the words I or you in an expository essay (unless you are using a direct quotation from another source).
There are several main components of expository writing that should appear in your rough draft, including the following:
Introduction: The introduction is just that—the first paragraph where you make readers familiar with the topic that you are writing about. The introduction should begin with a sentence or phrase that will make readers interested in the topic. This is often called a “hook.” Once you have hooked your readers, the introduction should explain the general topic that you are writing about. The introduction should also give readers any necessary background information that will help them understand the topic. One of the last sentences of the introduction should be a thesis statement.
Thesis statement: The thesis statement includes the main points that you will cover in your essay. The ideas you include in your thesis statement will be further explained in the body paragraphs of your essay. The thesis statement helps you organize your essay and provides a “road map” to follow when you begin writing your body paragraphs. It should be specific and is often written with the key supporting points in a list. It should express in a sentence how Gogol’s definition of home changes throughout the novel.
Main content: The main content of your essay, also known as the body paragraphs, is where you will explain and examine your topic or concept in detail. The main content should always include information and quotations from the novel (The Namesake) to support the ideas from the thesis statement. Use information and details from the novel to illustrate how Gogol defines home and how that definition of home changes throughout his life.
Conclusion: The conclusion should return to the “hook” from the introduction and remind readers about the general topic. The main points of the thesis should also be reinforced in the conclusion. Do not introduce new information or ideas in the conclusion.
MLA format
