Last Minute Advice Essay Revision Suggestions

Everything matters in this paper! You should check the Essay 2 Rubric. Have a thesis statement Evidence and Analysis Organization within and between paragraphs Clear Topic Sentences and Transitions Check your sentence fluency, spelling, and punctuation COMMA USAGE (Check Purdue Owl) Proper in-text citation YOUR ESSAY MUST BE WORDS MAKE SURE YOU ARE ANALYZING THE POINTS- TIE THEM BACK TO THE TOPIC SENTENCES AND SAY WHY EACH ONE IS IMPORTANT TO THE THEME YOU IDENTIFY YOUR FINAL PAPER IS DUE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3 RD. Essay #2 Information

Possible Paper Set Ups Introduction: Hook: A hook is something that grabs the reader’s attention. You might consider using a quote, story, statistic or interesting piece of information. Subject Information: Tell the reader what your paper is about. Consider including important information like titles of stories, vignettes or poems, authors, and any other necessary information. Thesis Statement: A thesis statement is a short statement, usually one or two sentences, that summarizes the main point or claim of your essay, and is developed, supported, and explained in the essay by means of evidence and analysis. Your thesis should include the theme you plan to develop and even a statement that discusses if the two authors approach the theme in the same way or differently. This will help you focus your paper. Body Paragraphs: You should consider what elements from the text help you visualize the theme. I would consider looking at the actions, events, characters, symbols, and so on from each text. When you select one of these elements, you should write about the element for both texts. For example, if I was writing this essay, I might look at “The Prize China Baby” from Mrs. Spring Fragrance and “Karintha” from Cane with the theme “Women as Objects.” I would select a character from each text that represents the theme, and write a separate body paragraph for each character. I would then select an event from each text that represents the theme, and write a separate body paragraph for each event. After I was done writing, I would have four body paragraphs. *You can compare and contrast the two texts within the body paragraphs, or even in a separate body paragraph. If you compare and contrast, don’t do too much back and forth. You should develop each point for each story. Conclusion: *Restate the main arguments or points from the essay. *Finally, what are the authors saying about the theme and do you agree with each author’s perceptions? Why or why not? *Leave the reader with a final thought or idea.

WORKING ON THESIS STATEMENTS A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT SHOULD HAVE: YOUR ARGUMENT THE REASONS/EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORT THE ARGUMENT THE ORDER IN WHICH YOU WILL BE PRESENTING YOUR REASONS OR EVIDENCE YOUR THESIS STATEMENT SHOULD GO IN A SPECIFIC DIRECTION- PICK ONE THEME AS IT RELATES TO TWO TEXTS Sample Thesis Statements: 1. In “The Masque of the Red Death,” Edgar Allan Poe uses the symbolism of the stranger, the clock, and the seventh room to develop the theme of death. 2. Hawthorne’s use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter falters and ultimately breaks down with the introduction of the character Pearl.

Topic Sentences Underline the first/second sentence of each paragraph Does the sentence(s) tell the reader what subject or point will be discussed in that paragraph? Change the sentence to clarify the subject of the paragraph. If there is more than one subject being discussed in the paragraph (and it doesn’t make sense to keep them together), make a mark to separate the ideas into different paragraphs Repeat these steps for every paragraph. Write topic sentences for paragraphs you haven’t written.

WORKING ON TRANSITIONS Look at the way you present your points (Does the order make sense? Is the order logical?) Once you arrange paragraphs in a logical order, make sure you use transitional words to connect paragraphs Helpful words or phrases: LOGICAL RELATIONSHIPTRANSITIONAL WORD/ EXPRESSION Similarity also, in the same way, just as... so too, likewise, similarly Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand... on the other hand, yet nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still Sequence/Order first, second, third,... next, then, finally Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus Additional Support additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then

Developing Your Paragraphs Body paragraphs that include evidential support and discussion. Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis. General Body Paragraph Structure: 1. Provide a topic sentence. Your topic sentence should provide a transition and introduce your point or argument for the paragraph. 2. Explain your point. 3. Give supporting evidence—This is where your quotes, paraphrasing or summary goes. MAKE SURE YOUR EVIDENCE FITS YOUR THEME OR ARGUMENT. 4. Explain how the point and evidence relate to your theme and thesis. You should analyze your evidence directly. Consider referencing specific words or phrases to provide a close reading.

Sentence Clarity and Spell Check Read through the sentences in your paper Is there a subject and a verb and an action Who does what? Be direct and clear Take out unnecessary information and words (this will eliminate your run-on sentences, fragments, and awkward sentences SPELL CHECK YOUR PAPER. Check for correct comma usage  Review the comma rules the in Writing Matter book

In-text Citation and MLA Works Cited In-text Citation Do your quotes have a lead in statement: Example: The story “Karintha” explores, “QUOTE” (Toomer 20). Example: Far writes, “QUOTE” (32). Example: Zitkala-Sa suggests, “QUOTE” (42). Do you provide in-text citation: (Author Page#) OR (“Title” Page#) **Remember to leave off the page number if it is not provided AND watch where you put your punctuation! Work Cited Page

Submission Information This essay is due in class on Tuesday, November 3 rd You must bring a hard copy of the essay to class, and submit the essay to Blackboard via Turnitin. Both must be completed to receive credit. You will lose points if the essay isn’t submitted to Turnitin before class.