One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Essay **Follow links throughout for useful handouts and organizers**

Opening Paragraph What patterns or “big ideas” do you notice in your passages? Example: identity and manhood, influence of male figures in Bromden’s life

Begin with a general statement Write an interesting sentence or two that discusses these patterns or big ideas. Consider different types of introductions: inquisitive, paradoxical, corrective, preparatory Example: Gender stereotypes suggest that women have been socially inferior to men for centuries. At all levels of society, men have asserted power and control over women.

Get a little more specific Begin applying your idea to the specific context—in this case, the novel. Remember to state the title, author, and relevant characters. Example: Nevertheless, in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey describes a social hierarchy in which a female nurse emasculates her male patients.

Ask questions Set yourself up to state your thesis by asking a question the text poses or asking a question your essay will answer. Example: How does the Nurse’s power affect the men? How do they respond to or react to this reversal of social norms?

Answer questions State an argument What is your position on the topic with which you started at the beginning of your opening? State your position in a well-crafted, carefully-composed sentence or two. This is your thesis. Example: Kesey provides one answer in Bromden, who sees McMurphy’s power struggle with the Nurse as a reminder of his father’s weakness. McMurphy’s “dreams” replace Bromden’s hallucinations and allow him to reinvent himself and his masculinity.

Body Paragraphs (approach #1) What is the first point of your thesis? Example: Kesey provides one answer in Bromden, (1) who sees McMurphy’s power struggle with the Nurse as a reminder of his father’s weakness. McMurphy’s “dreams” replace Bromden’s hallucinations ... Rephrase that point into a topic sentence. Example: Bromden is haunted by his father’s failures against “the Combine.”

Body Paragraphs (approach #2) Which of your chosen passages is richest in meaning? Explain why it is the most important or most representative example of the pattern you noticed. Example: The most significant indication of the Nurse’s effect on Bromden is the “fog” that represents his passivity.

Analyze the passage Discuss the language of the passage. Use verbs to describe what ideas the language conveys. Wrap up the paragraph by explaining how your observations about the passage are significant to your idea about the book as a whole.

Sample paragraph Bromden describes “wander[ing] for days in the fog” and being “lost,” which represents his passive, confused state of mind (114). Literally, the mental fog is the result of sedatives and countless rounds of electroshock therapy. Figuratively, however, it represents the submission that the Nurse desires. When Bromden says “being lost isn’t so bad,” he implies that he has chosen to conform, to be beaten by the Nurse’s machine (114).

Avoid dropped quotations DO this: When Bromden says “being lost isn’t so bad,” he implies that he has chosen to conform, to be beaten by the Nurse’s machine (114). DON’T do this: “Being lost isn’t so bad.” Bromden has chosen to conform, to be beaten by the Nurse’s machine. Cite quotations.

The Easy Stuff Avoid dropped quotes Spell author and characters’ names correctly Underline or italicize the title

Use the Writing Center Handouts available online: Introductions and conclusions How to analyze quotes How to avoid dropped quotes Verbs to use when analyzing the text Pay a visit during 4-1/4-2!