Remember that a thesis statement needs to have these five key features: 1.State the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question. 2.Is at the end of the introduction. 3.States an opinion or attitude on a topic, not just the topic itself. 4.Lists subtopics. 5.Does not directly announce your main topic. Thesis Statement Review

Thesis Statement Examples Missing Key Feature(s)  “The Most Dangerous Game” should be read by ninth graders because it teaches foreshadowing and mood the best.  In my opinion, “The Necklace” teachers verbal irony, round characters, and mood the best.  I think ninth grade students should read the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” because it teaches you a good life lesson. It teaches you to “treat others how you want to be treated.” All Five Key Features

How to Write Body Paragraphs

 Essays typically have at least 3 body paragraphs.  Your essay will have 3 body paragraphs because you have 3 points in your thesis statement.  The order of body paragraphs follows the order of your thesis points. Body Paragraph Order

 Thesis Statement Example:  Ninth grade students should continue to read “The Necklace” because it effectively teaches the following short story elements: internal conflict, symbolism, and situational irony.  The first point in the thesis is that “The Necklace” effectively teaches the short story element internal conflict, so the first body paragraph will be about this topic. Body Paragraph Order

 The strongest body paragraphs follow this structure:  Topic sentence  Evidence  Analysis  Summarize Body Paragraph Structure

 A Topic sentence starts with a transitional word or phrase.  Next, it provides a clear and specific statement of what the subject of the paragraph will be.  For your first body paragraph, your topic sentence should introduce the first short story element that you listed in your thesis statement. Topic Sentence

 Thesis:  Ninth grade students should continue to read “The Necklace” because it effectively teaches the following short story elements: internal conflict, symbolism, and situational irony.  Thesis Point #1 = “The Necklace” teaches internal conflict.  Body Paragraph #1 Topic sentence:  First of all, “The Necklace” should be read by all ninth graders because it helps them learn about the short story element internal conflict. Topic Sentence Example

 The Evidence portion of a body paragraph follows the Topic sentence.  It is here that you will provide at least 1 properly cited direct quote from your story.  You will also provide additional specific supporting examples and details from the story.  The evidence that you include should support/prove your topic sentence.  The Evidence section should be 2 to 4 sentences. Evidence

 Body Paragraph #1 Topic sentence:  First of all, “The Necklace” should be read by all ninth graders because it helps them learn about the short story element internal conflict.  Body Paragraph #1 Evidence:  When the narrator first introduces Mathilde, he explains that “She suffered constantly, feeling that all the attributes of a gracious life, every luxury, should rightly have been hers” (de Maupassant 333). Later in the story, when she is borrowing a necklace from Madame Forestier, she “tried on the jewelry before the mirror, hesitating, unable to bring herself to take them off, to give them back” (de Maupassant 336). Evidence Example

 The Analysis comes directly after the Evidence part of your body paragraph.  An Analysis is an explanation of how your Evidence accomplishes proving the Topic sentence is true.  The Analysis should be 1 to 3 sentences in length. Analysis

 Body Paragraph #1 Topic sentence:  First of all, “The Necklace” should be read by all ninth graders because it helps them learn about the short story element internal conflict.  Body Paragraph #1 Evidence:  When the narrator first introduces Mathilde, he explains that “She suffered constantly, feeling that all the attributes of a gracious life, every luxury, should rightly have been hers” (de Maupassant 333). Later in the story, when she is borrowing a necklace from Madame Forestier, she “tried on the jewelry before the mirror, hesitating, unable to bring herself to take them off, to give them back” (de Maupassant 336).  Body Paragraph #1 Analysis:  Internal conflict occurs when a character endures a struggle within him or herself. In these examples, Mathilde experiences an inner struggle with her desire to live a life more luxurious than her own, one more like her friend’s. Analysis Example

 The Summarize sentence is the last part of a body paragraph.  A Summarize sentence provides a summary of the paragraph’s point, therefore providing a sense of closure.  This sentence should clearly indicate that you are moving onto your next point and smoothly transition to the next paragraph. Summarize

 Body Paragraph #1 Topic sentence:  First of all, “The Necklace” should be read by all ninth graders because it helps them learn about the short story element internal conflict.  Thesis:  Ninth grade students should continue to read “The Necklace” because it effectively teaches the following short story elements: internal conflict, symbolism, and situational irony.  Body Paragraph #1 Summarize sentence:  “The Necklace” definitely teaches what an internal conflict is by describing how dissatisfied Mathilde is with her lifestyle, but it also teaches students about symbolism. Summarize Example

T.E.A.S. Body Paragraph First of all, “The Necklace” should be read by all ninth graders because it helps them learn about the short story element internal conflict. When the narrator first introduces Mathilde, he explains that “She suffered constantly, feeling that all the attributes of a gracious life, every luxury, should rightly have been hers” (de Maupassant 333). Later in the story, when she is borrowing a necklace from Madame Forestier, she “tried on the jewelry before the mirror, hesitating, unable to bring herself to take them off, to give them back” (de Maupassant 336). Internal conflict occurs when a character endures a struggle within him or herself. In these examples, Mathilde experiences an inner struggle with her desire to live a life more luxurious than her own, one more like her friend’s. “The Necklace” definitely teaches what an internal conflict is by describing how dissatisfied Mathilde is with her lifestyle, but it also teaches students about symbolism.

Short Story Locations and Citation Instructions  “The Sniper”-p. 10 (blue book)  “The Cask of Amontillado”-p.61  “The Most Dangerous Game”- p.215  “The Necklace”- p.333  “The Scarlet Ibis”- p. 385  How to quote:  Find a phrase, sentence, or sentences that you want to use in your essay.  Write that and put quotation marks around it: “ ”  How to make a citation:  After you’ve written your quote, include the following:  (Last name of author Page number).