Writing a short essay … and getting an “A”! The Lady or the Tiger Writing a short essay … and getting an “A”!

Thesis Statement Includes: Author Title Your answer to the question & why. In the end of “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank Stockton, the princess leads her lover to open the door of the tiger. The reader knows this because… (list reasons).

Overview of a Paragraph 1) Transitional word/phrase 2) Topic Sentence 3) Set up quote 4) Give quote (and page #) 5) Rephrase/Explain quote 6) Analysis & tie back to thesis

Topic Sentence Tells the readers what THIS paragraph is about. Should relate directly to proving the thesis. At the start of EVERY body paragraph.

NO First or Second Person Perspective NO first person: “I think” or “I believe” NO Second person: “You can see” INSTEAD: “The reader sees” or “The reader knows” Keep it in 3rd person: “The reader”, “The audience” or “people”

Identifying Characters Avoid vague (unclear) pronouns Pronouns replace nouns Ex: he, she, them, it, her, him, they, etc. INSTEAD, use… Character names or descriptions Ex: The princess, her lover, James

Avoiding Vague Pronouns (NO) Vague Pronouns Example: She thought she wasn’t good enough for him. (YES) Clear sentence structure: The princess thought the lady behind the door wasn’t good enough for her boyfriend.

Using Quotes In order for a quote to make sense & be useful, you need to: SET UP the quote Use a DIRECT quote Include the PAGE NUMBER EXPLAIN the quote (in your own words) APPLY the quote (to your main topic)

Set Up Your Quotes Set up the quote: WHO is speaking, and any important context clues Ex: The narrator says about the princess, “She loved him passionately” (3).

Using a Direct Quote Term “Direct Quote” means exactly that. It comes directly from the text, word for word. However, you may choose the most important part of the quote which will prove your point. Example: The princess was, “…the apple of his eye” (3).

Include the Page Number Page numbers go after quotes (unless included in the sentence prior to the quote). Periods go at the END of the parenthesis, not the quote. Do NOT use “page” or “p.” or “pg.” Ex: The narrator stated about the princess, “She was semi-barbaric”(2).

Page numbers continued… Ex: The princess exclaimed, “I hate her!” (4). Ex: The king asked, “Do you love him?” (5). Ex: The narrator describes the lover’s feelings saying, “He loved her more than ice cream on a hot day” (2-3).

EXPLAIN the Quote Most people think quotes can stand up for themselves… they can’t! So you have to explain what the quote means, in YOUR OWN WORDS. Ex: The narrator asks the question, “Wouldn’t it be better for him to die at once, and go wait for her in the blessed regions of semi-barbaric futurity?” (6). Here the author encourages the reader to remember that the princess and her lover may also meet up again in the afterlife, should she choose the tiger for her lover’s fate.

APPLY the Quote Once you have put the quote in your own words, you need to APPLY the quote to your main topic (yep, you gotta draw the connection FOR the reader). We’ll use our previous example…

Example… The narrator asks the question, “Wouldn’t it be better for him to die at once, and go wait for her in the blessed regions of semi-barbaric futurity?” (6). Here the author encourages the reader to remember that the princess and her lover may also meet up again in the afterlife, should she choose the tiger for her lover’s fate. This strengthens the argument that the princess chose the tiger. For, this idea gives the princess the option of choosing the tiger and still getting to be with her lover. Sure he’ll be dead, but someday they both will be and at least they’ll be together.

Using Quotes As Proof Remember, YOU come up with the idea or the opinion. The quote is PROOF to your reader that your opinion or idea could be correct. Make sure you choose quotes that PROVE your point, not just something that fills up the page or your need for another quote.

Transition Words Transition words are used to show movement from one TOPIC to another OR to introduce NEW INFORMATION. Often, they will be used at the start of a new paragraph or prior to a quote. What are some transition words?

Illustration: for example, in other words, to illustrate, for instance… Contrast: in contrast, contrarily, nevertheless, in spite of this, conversely, notwithstanding Addition: in addition to, additionally, furthermore, however, similarly, in the same way, moreover… Time/order: Next, second, last, at first, subsequently, to begin with, meanwhile, finally, previously, afterwards…

Quick Review Avoid “I think” or “you” statements (use “the reader”) Avoid vague pronouns (she, he, them)- Use character names and descriptions Topic sentence includes… Explain & apply quotes Don’t forget page numbers! Transition words Quotes PROVE you know what you’re talking about! 

Overview of a Paragraph 1) Transitional word/phrase 2) Topic Sentence 3) Set up quote 4) Give quote (and page #) 5) Rephrase/Explain quote 6) Analysis & tie back to thesis