Introductory Paragraph should have the following: 1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel (text, p. 36) 1. Full name of the author in the first sentence; after that, just his or her last name, no matter what gender (text, p. 36) 2. Thesis statement – central argument/position (not a fact) which drives your essay;

Introductory Paragraph: examples 1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel (p. 36) e.g. In the novel The Good Earth (underline novel titles, use quotations for short works: poems, short stories, essays) 2. Full name of the author (p. 36) e.g. In the novel The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, (comma!) … 3. Thesis statement (see next slide)

Intro: Thesis (CFC) Thesis statement: a) names a “complexity” or a “juxtaposition” between two ideas, or some kind of “contradiction”, or “change.” (e.g. hot & cold, tension & release) a.k.a. shift (in tone, setting…) b) explains the function of the “complexity” (what is its role in the novel, story?) c) contains key words or conjunctions for the thesis: BUT, HOWEVER, YET, NOT ONLY…BUT, ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH etc.

What is a thesis statement? The main idea or ‘brain’ of your paper – drives the essay –this is where you burn off fat!!! Not a factual statement, but a claim or an argument/position e.g. Wang Lung is the main character of The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.

How do I Know if my Thesis is Strong? Acronym: CFC 1. Have I named a complexity /juxtaposition/shift? 2. Have I stated the function of the complexity/shift? 3. Have I used conjunctions such as although, not only… but, however, yet… TO HELP ME WITH THE SENTENCE STRUCTURE? ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: 1. Have I taken a position others would oppose? 2. Now that I have my thesis, do I know what to write about?

Choose the best thesis statement from the list below and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore. By contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that in order to experience American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

Choose the best thesis statement from the list below and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide. In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses setting to reflect the character and development of the main character, Mathilde Loisel. In “The Necklace,” Mathilde’s character changes dramatically. In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses setting to show the development of the main character, Mathilde Loisel. The change in her character can be related to the first apartment, the dream-life mansion rooms, the attic flat, and the public street.

Let’s re-cap: In the intro, we need The title of the literary work (what do we underline? when do we use quotations?) Full name of the author at first; after that, only the last name Thesis – CFC (complexity or shift, function, conjunctions) 1. An argument, position - NOT A FACT 2. C: Shows a ‘”complexity” (contradiction: hot & cold, tension/release), a.k.a. juxtaposition, change, shift 3. F: Explains the “function” of the complexity/shift (What is the purpose or role of that complexity?) 4. C: Conjunctions or key words to help you construct the thesis: not only … but, however, yet, despite, but

Practice #1:The Good Earth, p.183, last paragraph, “When O-lan had come to…” - CFC 1. What is the “complexity” or “shift” (contradiction, change, complication, juxtaposition)? 2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this complexity or shift? 3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words: but, yet, however, although… (  shifts or changes in meaning, tone, setting… ) 4. If you had to break this passage down, where would you break it? Where is the “cut” or SHIFT?

P. 183, last paragraph: Construct your thesis (read passage first) COMPLEXITY/SHIFT – SNIPPETS OF QUOTES FUNCTIONCONJUNCTIONS O-lan was “health to his flesh” suggests a healthy relationship with O. quality of W.’s relationship with O. But O-lan:“he lusted for her robustly as a beast for his mate” suggests the strength of his desire, passion BUT(SHIFT): Lotus: “no health in her for him” Contrast!!! Is Lotus like a disease, the opposite of health? (quality of his relationship with Lotus) ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH Lotus: “dying of thirst,” “greater thirst,” “unsatisfied” suggests unhappiness,dissatisfaction, dysfunctional attraction, addiction? Thesis: Wang___________,but(SHIFT)__________. (students provide examples of possible sentences)

Practice #2:The Good Earth, p.214, first paragraph, “As he had been healed…” - CFC 1. What is the “complexity” OR “shift (contradiction, change, complication, juxtaposition)? 2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this complexity? 3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words:but, however, yet, although… (  shifts or changes in meaning, tone, setting… ) 4. If you had to break this passage down, where would you break it? Where is the “cut” or “shift?”

P. 214, first paragraph: Construct your thesis COMPLEXITY/SHIFT – SNIPPETS OF QUOTES FUNCTIONCONJUNCTIONS “healed of his sickness of heart” W. is feeling better (his love for Lotus made him crazy, ill (synonyms for sick) ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH AGAIN??? “healed of his sickness of love” W. got over Lotus “he lay down upon his land” W. feels intimate with his land, the “good earth” again BUT SHIFT: “health of the earth spread into his flesh and he was healed of his sickness” ha! found my “complexity” or “juxtaposition” – now he’s healthy, and his land cured him. That’s his medicine. Thesis: ___________, BUT(SHIFT)___________. (students provide examples of possible sentences)

More exercises for CFC from The Good Earth : Practice #3: pp.108-9, last paragraph + top of p. 109, “It was only one day…” – CFC Practice #4: pp , last paragraph until the middle of the p. 126: “O-lan took it and sewed it into a shoe sole…” Practice #5: pp , the end of the novel: “But one day he saw…” until the end of the novel.