How to Write a Formal Essay

Your Title Think of your title as your handshake: a first impression that should be engaging and strong.

Formatting Name Course Assignment Date ….. Winston Smith English Essay 9/4/13

Intro Paragraph Start with an argumentative thesis that passes the “Really? Show me!” test. The “Driving Directions” to your paper – there should be no turns that aren’t in the directions. One sentence for each main point and/or body paragraph – outline your argument.

Topic Sentences Each paragraph should begin with a strong topic sentence that presents the main idea which you plan to prove with your evidence and analysis in the paragraph. Topic sentences should never contain plot summary or a factual statement, nor should they contain a quotation. In addition to accurately reflecting the idea of the paragraph, the topic sentence should relate directly to your thesis statement.

Introduce and Cite In-Text Quotations The sentence or phrase preceding a quotation should prepare the reader for the idea of the quote and/or establish context. An in-text citation comes after the end-quotation mark and before the final punctuation. ……… In Book Two, Telemachus finally opposes the suitors, saying “you must leave my palace” (Homer 97).

Using and Citing Block Quotes If you want to quote passages of 4 or more lines, you indent them, continue with double spacing, and need not use quotation marks. The parenthetical citation, different from in-text quotations, appears after the end punctuation of the quote. Homer emphasizes the importance of treating strangers with good manners when Telemachus arrives in Pylos: As soon as they saw the strangers, all came crowding down, waving them on in welcome, urging them to sit. Nestor’s son Pisistratus, first to reach them, grasped their hands and sat them down at the feast. (Homer 108) In this passage, the imagery …

Interpretive Sentences The subject of your sentence should specify some element relating to the text, such as an image, a specific word from the text, the author, or a literary device. Examples of effective interpretive subjects: “The author’s use of anaphora…” “The dark imagery in this stanza…” “The repeated diction of ‘cheerful’ in the paragraph…”

Use Active Verbs! Reveals illustratesindicatesdepicts Connotesportraysilluminatesrepresents Elevatesarticulatesreflectsproposes Emphasizesreinforceshighlightsdetails Describesenlightensjuxtaposescompares Personifiesconstructsoffersintroduces Constitutesspecifiesresponds toprovides Exposesinvokesdemonstrates employs

Interpretive Sentences Combine specific subjects with active verbs to set your sentence up to interpret the language of the text. Examples: Homer’s use of the simile “like a fox” (IX.23) illustrates Odysseus’s clever ability to deceive his enemies. The dark imagery of “black” and “gloom” in this passage emphasizes that Telemachus has “no faith” (3.23).

Conclusions Either… Recap your argument and then answer the question “so what?” OR Use the personal “I” to relate your paper to your own life.