LITERARY ESSAY English Language Arts

Tips for Literary Essays  STEP 1  Be 100% sure you understand the topic  Use the dictionary to help you break down the topic question  Remember to think of context when determining which definition best suits the topic question. Many times, essay topics deal with the human condition and/or experience.

Tips for Literary Essays  STEP 2  Develop your thesis and blueprint  Remember that the thesis MUST answer the question specifically & explicitly  Consider double checking your thesis with me BEFORE you plan the rest of your essay

Tips for Literary Essays  STEP 3  Plan the body paragraphs  Think of points/examples to prove your thesis  Look for quotations to support your claims  Think about the possible implications you can address or make regarding the reasons WHY characters act a certain way  Think about possible symbols/literary devices that the author uses to help supplement or emphasize certain aspects

Introduction  The introduction of a literary essay has three sections to it. This paragraph is responsible for introducing the topic of the essay, the specific details the essay will develop and the thesis, or central idea the essay will focus on. General Topic Sentence Motivator Background Information re: the literature Thesis & Blueprint

Introduction All actions, from those great feats of courage to those small everyday kindnesses, are made greater by the challenges that they overcome. The victory of the Allies in World War II was made more heroic by the brutality of the conditions and the atrocities committed by the Nazis. History may only have given the French Revolution a passing glance if it had not challenged every aspect of the political structure in Europe. Respect and admiration are often gained from standing on principle in the face of widespread adversity and unfavourable conditions. In the novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini presents readers with a story of brotherhood, betrayal and redemption. Amir & Hassan are the best of friends, but their world falls apart when Amir makes a horrific mistake. Because Amir is unable to demonstrate courage to do what is right in spite of convention and circumstance, his personal integrity suffers gravely. His refusal to defend Hassan, his acceptance of Soraya’s past, and his efforts to save Sohrab all illustrate the value placed in adhering to moral principle regardless of the situation.

Topic Sentence - What are you going to prove? Point 1 - Proof - DiscussionPoint 2 - Proof - DiscussionPoint 3 - Proof - DiscussionConcluding Sentence / Transition

Body Paragraphs  Save the BEST point for last.  If you happen to have a weak point, place it in the middle. However, you are NOT allowed to have one.  Include a few quotations coherently. Let them flow nicely in between your rhetoric & discussion.  Remember that you have to be specific in your analysis; otherwise, you are just retelling the story.  So, after you have written your point, explain the significance of the characters action or lack thereof. Why is it significant? How? etc.

Overall Structure of Body Paragraphs  1 – strong evidence  2 – strong (or weak if absolutely necessary) evidence  3 – best evidence

Body Paragraph Sorhab’s recovery is what finally restores Amir’s sense of his own merit. Rahim Khan’s words that “there is a way to be good again” are as prophetic as they are true. Amir’s only chance to establish himself as a worthy individual and ease his own conscience is to retrieve Sohrab. His chance for atonement with Hassan has past, but he has an opportunity with Sohrab. Amir is faced with the same decision as he had in 1975: save another from injustice or protect his own interests. In order to make amends, Amir must put his life on the line for Sohrab, a Hazara boy not unlike the one he sacrificed for his own interests all those years ago. He admits that “[he] hadn’t been happy and [he] hadn’t felt better, not at all. But [he] did now. [His] body was broken-just how badly [he] wouldn’t find out until later-but [he] felt healed. Healed at last.” The theme of divine purpose returns in this scene. As Amir takes Assef’s beating, he recognizes that he has finally found his peace. His guilt and his justifications for his own shortcomings have disappeared because he does not need an excuse for his present actions. Amir has done what is right in spite of every obstacle and barrier. He laughs, just as Assef laughed when he thought God had saved him for a higher purpose. Amir has finally stood by what he views as his greater purpose, being accountable to his own beliefs. “I ran. A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children. But I didn’t care. I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the valley of Panjsher on my lips. I ran. Amir devotes himself to doing whatever he must to inspire Sohrab’s happiness. He covets every indication of Sohrab’s return to life. What others think no longer disturbs him, how he is expected to act no longer concerns him, all that matters is preserving every fragment of Sohrabs fractured joy. It is what Amir intuitively knows to be right and just. He perseveres in the face of Sohrab’s persistent resignation because he knows what he must do, nothing with sway him from his purpose. Amir runs, as Hassan ran for him, because he can now stand by his principles, undeterred by opposition. Finally, the protagonist is a symbol of righteousness and dedication; finally his courage develops his integrity.

Conclusion Re-state thesis & blueprint Summarize Points Briefly Clincher & Universal Appeal

Conclusion Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner suggests that standing by what is just regardless of convention or circumstance is evidence of an admirable moral code. Hassan verified his purity of heart when he refused to submit to Assef’s demands in order to protect his master even though Amir was unable to do the same. However, Amir began to show decency when he rejected prejudice to accept Soraya’s past. Ultimately, Amir’s true redemption came from his decision to recover and protect Sohrab regardless of the harm done to Amir himself. Every triumph is made more authentic if its accomplishment is a test of integrity. What is executed without effort cannot be regarded as highly as something attained through perseverance against all odds. When a worthy cause or belief is sacrificed for the sake of convenience or fear, true devastation is known. To not capitulate in such circumstances is the ultimate confirmation of honour.