How to write a great literary essay: A journey through the writing process for Ms. Silverstein’s English course

Format  MLA format for all quote citations—all quotes and paraphrasing must be cited clearly and accurately.  Standard fonts and margins—twelve point font and approximately one inch margins all around.  Page length—approximately two pages, double spaced.  Must be submitted to turnitin.com by due date of essay for full credit.  Must be submitted in typed clear paper form in black ink (not and not later in the day) by the period it is due.  Staple together at home in following order– final draft, rough draft, evaluation or FCA form, outline/thesis sheet/prewriting, notes, rubric.

Ways to begin  Option 1: Write your main points in the form of your thesis and topic sentences.  Option 2: Write a paragraph of proposal—what you would like to write about. This is a brainstorming method. Then write your main ideas in a thesis and topic sentences.  Required: Thesis and topic sentences should be approved before you write the essay.

Focus Correction Areas:  Thesis and topic sentences are well-worded and articulate a strong argument.  Essay is in third person with present, active verbs. (Ex past passive voice: Montag was influenced by these men. Ex. Present active voice: These men influence Montag.)  Quotes are integrated smoothly in your text and appropriately cited. No long quotes—essay should be mostly your own words.  Body is developed with accurate and insightful supporting details and analysis.  Plot review (summarizing) is at bare minimum. Essay analyzes—reads between the lines.  Argument is persuasive, logical and insightful.  Writing is clear, concise, articulate. It follows the conventions of grammar, usage and mechanics.  It uses a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex sentences)and avoids incomplete or run-on sentences.  Essay is original with no hint of plagiarism!

Thesis  Thesis should state the main argument or claim that your essay will prove with reasons and evidence.  Thesis should include the title and author of the work(s) discussed.  Thesis should be arguable—not a fact or obvious plot interpretation.  Thesis should be clear and concise—not a run-on sentence or fragment.  Thesis should show a relationship between the technique the author uses and what it is used to achieve.  Thesis (and rest of essay) should avoid first and second person pronouns.  Thesis should not use “to be” verbs—only active, present verbs.

Two types of thesis statements:  A) Standard (subtopics are written separately from thesis sentence)  Ex: The Alchemist portrays the human need to find spiritual meaning in the physical world. (Subtopics are spirituality in objects, geographical locations, and in nature.)  B) Three-prong (subtopics are included in thesis sentence)  Ex: The Alchemist reveals the importance of human guidance through the connections that Santiago forms with various mentors—King Melchizedek, the crystal merchant and the Alchemist.

Thesis formulas:  In [title], [author] uses [technique] to show [message].  In The Alchemist, Coelho uses external messages in the form of proverbs and omens to guide Santiago on a journey to fulfill a spiritual quest.  In Fahreheit 451, Bradbury uses characterization of Beatty, Faber and Granger to show how Montag transitions from perpetrator to savior.  Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun reveals both the destructive and hopeful nature of dreams through detailed imagery of the stage directions.

Introduction paragraph:  Begin with an attention-grabber—it should be a stimulating comment on your general topic, not specific to the book itself. Ex: The people from whom we seek guidance are often a reflection of who we are at that time in our lives.  Tried and true openers—hook or catch the reader with a startling fact or a universal idea.  Never open with a question, “imagine if”, plot details or summary, compliments to the author.  Avoid opening with a quote from the book—save it for later.  Keep intro brief—no more than four sentences. The bulk of the paper should be in the body paragraphs.

Body paragraph:  A topic sentence: This is the first sentence of a body or support paragraph. It identifies one aspect of the thesis and states a primary reason why the thesis is true. It is the first subtopic listed in a three-prong thesis. Ex: Proverbs provide Santiago with spiritual guidance in the form of simple tips about life.  Concrete detail: a specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your topic sentence/thesis statement. Support with a quote, smoothly embedded in a sentence. Ex: Santiago seeks out his treasure, which is “uncovered by the force of the flowing water, and buried by the same currents” (25).  Analysis: this is your explanation or interpretation of the concrete detail. This commentary tells the reader what the author of the text means or how the concrete detail proves the topic sentence/thesis statement. Ex: Santiago realizes that he must become one with forces outside himself, such as the elements of nature, in order to discover his true potential.  Concluding sentence: This sentence conclude your paragraph by tying the concrete details back to your thesis. Ex: Proverbs dictate Santiago’s journey by creating guidelines of spiritual principles that help him to achieve his goals.

Conclusion paragraph:  Re-state thesis in different words. Elaborate on it if necessary.  Comment on greater significance or meaning behind your essay/argument.  Avoid bland repetition—build on your earlier commentary.  Ex: Like Santiago, people often find the most useful guidance to be found in simple ideas, such as spiritual signs and maxims.

Transitioning:  Between ideas: Transition between each idea with in your body paragraph to create a smooth flowing whole. Ex: Another location that holds spiritual value in the novel, is the abandoned church, to which Santiago returns, coming full circle in his journey.  Between paragraphs: Transition in topic sent. of all but first body paragraphs. Ex: While Santiago finds spiritual meaning in objects and locales, his deepest connection is with the forces of nature.  Your transition phrases should “hook” or connect one idea with the next. Ex: In addition, In contrast to this behavior, Furthermore, Moreover...

Quote incorporation:  Select quotes that “show” and not “tell”—focus on development of characters, symbols and themes, etc. Not on plot details.  Select quotes that directly connect to your topic sentence/thesis statement. Quotes shouldn’t just be filler.  “Sandwich” quotes in your own sentences, using paraphrasing when necessary. Example: Despite knowing “he was gravely ill and needed every penny to pay for his medication,” Kaitlyn stole his wallet (Smith 7).  Introduce quote before giving it, providing its context.  After quote, explain the meaning behind the quote. Then analyze how it supports your thesis.  Use MLA format

Dangerous pitfalls:  Overgeneralization, superlatives and value judgments—all, always, never, every, everyone, everybody, best, worst. Ex: Fahrenheit 451 proves that everyone needs books to make meaning of their lives. Ex. Revised: Fahrenheit 451 reveals the deep human need to make meaning of one’s life through literature.  Floating quotes: Ex of floating quote: Beatty is corrupt. "Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy, for there are no mountains to make them cower, to judge themselves against.” Quote sandwiched: Beatty reveals his twisted idealism by describing conformity as bliss, “each man the image of every other; then all are happy” (63). He describes the goal of the perverse society—to create an artificial equality in which people don’t feel threatened by others’ gifts.