Essay structure Tell us what you’re teaching us (intro) Teach us (body) Tell us what you taught us (conclusion)
Claim vs Conclusion Claim in Introduction be clear: WHAT will you prove? be specific: HOW will you prove it? APS in Conclusion be clear: WHAT did you prove? be specific: what MORE do you understand NOW?
Good or Bad? Claim from Introduction Shakespeare shows how people who give in to the temptation of power in exchange for their honor and dignity make a tragically irrevocable choice. APS from Conclusion Through Macbeth’s drastic character shift, Shakespeare shows how easily man can be corrupted by the promise of power and glory. BAD: APS and CLAIM are switched
Good or Bad? Claim from Introduction Through Holden’s metaphor of the catcher in the rye, Salinger shows how young people can lose their innocence when they are not given the guidance they need to deal with great trauma. APS from Conclusion Salinger shows how innocent people get lost when they don’t have strong leadership to help them cope with obstacles BAD: APS and CLAIM are just the same
Good or Bad? Claim from Introduction Sophocles uses pollution as a motif to show that the evils created and perpetuated by man bring pain and suffering down on all. APS from Conclusion Sophocles uses Oedipus’s tragic tale to expose that, despite the infinite power of the gods, man has sole and total responsibility for his actions and will ultimately suffer alone. GOOD Further insight about man’s responsibility for his own suffering separately from the Gods
Good or Bad? Claim from Introduction In The Kite Runner, Hosseini shows how a man can sacrifice everything for the thing he values most through the character of Amir. APS from Conclusion Hosseini shows how people who reevaluate their lives and values can jeopardize all that they have in order to stand up and fight for their dreams. GOOD further insight about what people must do in order to prioritize their values and make sacrifices
Consider these Questions 1st What was the goal of this essay?…(reformulate your APS. Use the same big thematic ideas, but be more specific now that you’ve taught us all about them ) 2nd What was the highlight from each text that really unlocked your new understanding? …(what did you discuss in depth –major thematic ideas and understandings? 3 rd What can you take away from these works?…(does what, shows what, tells what to ALL PEOPLE through this story?)
Sample 2-work conclusion Janie and the villagers are freed from their unsatisfying lives once they feel the power of love. Janie's troubled marriages hold her down until Teacake's love sets her free from the role and identity that Nanny impressed upon her and which have confused and wounded her for so long. She now has the freedom to find herself. Thanks to his true love. In the same way, the villagers live lonely, routine lives until Esteban washes into their lives and inspires them to be different, better people. He shows them the drab lives that they live, and this gives them the permission to embrace a new lifestyle and identity. These works show that the power of love is strong enough to free and inspire people to embrace things they may have feared in the past to make new lives for their futures.
1st same big thematic ideas, but be more specific 2 nd the highlight from each text 3 rd shows what to ALL PEOPLE