Editing Gatsby Critical Essay

Get in WORK MODE Have your THESIS and POINTS out in front of you for review. What evidence are you using from Gatsby? How are you using your SECONDARY sources?

There is an interesting hook that is related to the thesis and content of the paper. (COMMENT) Relevant context is established and explained. There is a necessary and RELEVANT introduction to the book’s plot and characters in the intro. Introduction flows logically, creatively, connecting sentences and ideas using transitions, tailored to the THESIS statement. There is a CLEAR and STRONG thesis statement that extends beyond the book The writer states HOW the thesis will be proven INTRODUCTION – label its parts!

Rate each on a scale of 1-5 Subtopics are CLEAR and SUPPORTIVE of thesis? Analysis proves an argument with minimal summary? Depth in evidence and understanding of text? PRAISE and a PUSH

PRAISE? PUSH?

The Quote Can’t Stand Alone (To the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”) The Quote Can’t Stand Alone All Quotes need signal phrases and citations to call home.

Using Signal Phrases USE COLON : When signal phrase is a complete sentence! Example: Hamilton examines Huxley’s attitude toward war: “Quote.” USE COMMA, When signal phrase is an incomplete phrase! Example: Beetz states in his article, “Quote.”

Quoting Dialogue: BLOCK QUOTE Nick and Jordan discuss their plans: Exactly as it appears in the book, but the entire thing is indented. “I want to go to Central Park.” Jordan insisted despite my protest. “I don’t.” I wasn’t going to lose this battle. I had to convince her somehow. “I do,” Jordan retorted, “and I want you to tell me you love me.” (Fitzgerald 230)  PERIOD GOES INSIDE

Block Quote (for quotes over 4 lines on your page) Broderick also discusses the importance of having a solid relationship with a paternal figure:  (note the colon) Begin your quote here without any quotation marks. The entire blocked quote should be indented on the page. The citation follows the quote after the period. (1046)  (note I did not repeat the author’s name because it’s in my signal phrase. If this was a WEB source, I would be done after the period!) Continue your paragraph here.

In- text Citation examples Kirk Beetz, professor of English at Harvard University, states in his article, “Overcoming Adversity,” that there are “many obstacles that society as a whole faced in the 18 th century” (23). Beetz also claims, “Gender roles were subverted in many of Austen’s novels” (24). The lack of submission in Austen’s novels show how “gender roles were subverted” (Beetz 24). Remember, only PRINT sources have page numbers! Joan DeMarco, author of “Patriarchal Societies in the 17 th Century” states, “Father figures controlled the household.”  (no page for web source, period inside!)

FORMATTING Proper MLA formatting – 1inch margins, Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced, no extra spacing between heading, title, and paragraphs. There is an original title (centered) that indicates what the paper will be about. There is a heading: Lennie Small Mrs. Kim American Literature H 12 December 2012 and a page header (Last name #).

Conclusion – Praise and Push 1)Does not start with “In conclusion,” 2)Does start with a conclusive and insightful statement addressing the thesis 3)Thesis is revisited, not restated 4)Make conclusive statements IN LIGHT of the evidence and points you have made! 5)FUNNEL OUT – connect to the real world 6)DON’T repeat yourself. DON’T preach. DON’T end with a question!

Final check list for your essay… Meet the word count? words? Are Book Titles Italicized and “Articles in Quotes”? Use formal language? (Avoid slang, strong opinionated words) Analyze in PRESENT TENSE VERBS? Have a minimum of 3 book quotes? Have a minimum of 2 secondary sources? (1 must be a critical essay about Gatsby from Lit Resource Center) Are ALL quotes signaled in and cited?? Have a Works Cited page? (example on my wiki)