Writing analytical essays
Analytical Essay Don’ts DO NOT write in 1st person (“I think”, “We can see”)- Use 3rd person (the reader, they, them, one) DO NOT use the “unnamed you” (“you can tell”) DO NOT fill up introduction with non sequitors (“Sometimes people want what they can’t have and isn’t that shame? Well, this happens in this wonderful, timeless story…”) DO NOT introduce new information in conclusion DO NOT summarize the story in the body paragraphs- you must provide insightful and thoughtful analysis DO NOT manipulate the text-Be very careful with the use of ellipses
Essay Do’s DO use a thesaurus DO embed quotes DO write legibly DO maintain connection of ideas
Introduction Introduce the story with a “TAG” line (Title, Author, Genre (Ficition, Non-Fiction, etc.) Ex: In the fictional story, “Harrison Bergeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut… Provide a brief synopsis of the storyline Ex: Under a new “equality” system, people with above average or exceptional abilities are handicapped in order to eliminate competition within the society. Include a thesis statement as your last line of the paragraph. The thesis statement is the main idea of your essay. Ex: Vonnegut mocks the naïve notion of equality through the Harrison’s defiance of the handicap system.
Introduction example In the fictional story, “Harrison Bergeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut, people with above average or exceptional abilities are handicapped in order to eliminate competition within the society. Vonnegut mocks this naïve notion of equality through Harrison’s defiance of the handicap system.
Body Body paragraphs are similar to your short answer responses or “chunks”. They should support your thesis statement. Each body paragraph needs to have topic sentence = “A” (this should connect with your thesis statement textual evidence= “B” (remember, in the form of an embedded quote AND cite the source) commentary= “C” (maintain the connection with thoughtful and insightful analysis )
Body Paragraph example By showing a character that challenges the government, the author demonstrates rather comically what happens in a society void of individuality and free choice. Harrison defies the law by taking off his handicaps of “Halloween and hardware…a tremendous pair of earphones, and spectacles with thick wavy lenses” (par. 2) and declaring himself a ruler with absolute authority, when he states, “ ‘I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!’” (par. 11). Through Harrison’s egomaniacal tantrum to regain control of his life, Vonnegut emphasizes the silliness of the notion of attempting to establish equality by limiting extraordinary abilities of others, which can result in absolute anarchy.
Conclusion The conclusion should: 1. “mirror” the introduction- restate what was said (paraphrase what you stated in introduction) 2. briefly summarize what was stated in body paragraphs. 3. add a final thought or word that “closes” the essay (this must be related to what was covered in essay)
Outline (please copy on a separate sheet of paper and leave space to fill in) I. Introduction A. TAG: B. Thesis: II. Body Paragraph 1 A. Topic Sentence B. Text Evidence C. Commentary III. Body Paragraph 2 IV. Body Paragraph V. Conclusion
Note I will check for the notes and outline on Monday; if you do not have it, it’s a zero for participation I will assign the prompt on Monday and you will begin working on the outline HW: You will finish the outline and have it ready for Tues, when you write your essay Characterization chart is due on Wednesday for group assignment