THE LITERARY ESSAY

A LITERARY ESSAY is an analysis of a piece of fiction. The writer INTERPRETS the way the piece of fiction WAS WRITTEN.

STRUCTURE 5 paragraph essay:  Intro (Includes brief summary & thesis)  3 body paragraphs (1 per piece of supporting evidence)  Conclusion

THE 3 PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION A) Summary B) Reference to topic of choice C) Thesis

PART A SENTENCE 1-2:  A brief summary of the text, including the author’s name and title of the work. FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT, NOT little details that are not memorable.

PART B Sentence #3-4: Tell us what your topic is. i.e. Reference to your chosen topic.

PART B (Cont’d) EXAMPLE TOPIC: Discuss how 3 symbols in “Crucible” are used effectively to show the nature of Salem’s society. BAD: This essay is about “Crucible” by Arthur Miller’s symbolism. GOOD: Arthur Miller’s use of symbolism within “Crucible” is integral to depicting Salem’s society.

PART C: The Thesis Statement LAST SENTENCE of your INTRODUCTION. It must include your 3 pieces of supporting evidence that you will use to PROVE YOUR THESIS IS CORRECT.

THESIS (Cont’d) The strongest thesis statements are original; NOT everyone will agree with your interpretation but it is your job to prove yourself in the 3 body paragraphs that follow. You are interpreting a piece of literature; this means that you may have a different take on the text than someone else.

THESIS (Cont’d) BAD THESIS: The 3 symbols that will be discussed reflect the dysfunctional society in “Crucible” by Arthur Miller. GOOD THESIS: By discussing the witch trials, the poppet given to Elizabeth Proctor, and the heavy stones used in the pressing death of Giles Corey, we will see that Miller uses symbolism effectively to create a dysfunctional Salem.

THE 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS Each body paragraph will discuss ONE piece of supporting evidence written in your THESIS. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE ORDER OF YOUR ARGUMENTS LISTED IN YOUR THESIS. i.e. ONLY the witch trials will be discussed in the 1 st paragraph, the poppet in the 2 nd, and the heavy stones used to press Giles Corey in the 3 rd.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH BP TOPIC SENTENCES: Introduce what your paragraph is going to be about and how it relates to your thesis. BAD TS: This paragraph will be about the witch trials as a symbol. GOOD TS: The witch trials are symbolic of the irrational society Salem becomes.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH BP Each BP MUST HAVE AT LEAST 2 QUOTES to support your interpretation. If you are going to say the witch trials are symbolic of the dysfunctional village Salem becomes, THEN you must prove it by quoting 2 passages where this is OBVIOUS/EVIDENT.

How To Quote YOU MUST INTEGRATE YOUR QUOTE INTO YOUR OWN SENTENCES. Good Example: When Reverend Parris says, “I tell you what is said here, sir. Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here” (117), it becomes evident that the citizens of Salem are realizing their village is behaving irrationally. They are thinking about protesting, like the citizens of Andover, to voice their dissatisfaction with the way people are being accused of witchcraft and unfairly condemned.

YOU MUST INTEGRATE YOUR QUOTE INTO YOUR OWN SENTENCES. Bad Example: “I tell you what is said here, sir. Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no part of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here” (117). This quote shows that Salem is an irrational place.

TIP To see if your quote is well integrated read it out loud; it SHOULD sound like a natural part of your sentence. It shouldn’t stick out!

REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH BP WRAP-UP SENTENCES: wrap up what your paragraph was about and how it related to your thesis. Good Example: “When societies begin unjustly persecuting their citizens through trials, like in the Crucible, they are no longer considered a safe place to live.”

Conclusion Sentence #1: Restate your thesis in a new and refreshing way. Sentence #2-4: Summarize your 3 main points that prove your thesis. Last Sentence: Meaningful closing that relates to your topic. (e.g. “Playwrights often use symbolism to help readers understand the overall meaning they want to convey. In this case, Miller wanted his readers to understand that the foundation of any society needs to be based on rational thought. )

GENERAL TIPS NEVER write “This essay” or “This quote”. Writing must be formal; “I” is NOT allowed. Stay away from phrases such as “it seems”, “maybe”, “possibly”, “I guess”…You have to write your essay as though you are 100% SURE YOU ARE RIGHT. Use transitional words as you go from paragraph to paragraph.

General Tips (Cont’d) Write in the present tense. Good Example: When Proctor and Elizabeth are talking in their home, there is a lot of tension. Bad Example: When Proctor and Elizabeth were talking in their home, there was a lot of tension.