The Literary Essay Pay Attention well... For this is the format you must follow for your Essay & your Exam...

Steps in the process

Five Paragraph Format Introduction Introduction Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3 Body Paragraph 3 Conclusion Conclusion

The Introductory Paragraph Begin general, gradually becoming more specific. Begin general, gradually becoming more specific. Step 1: The General Statement Step 1: The General Statement Step 2: The Narrowing Statement Step 2: The Narrowing Statement Step 3: Introduction of your authors and text Step 3: Introduction of your authors and text Step 4: Introduce your three major arguments. Step 4: Introduce your three major arguments. Step 5: Thesis Statement Step 5: Thesis Statement NOTE: The Thesis Statement is the only Step which must be ONE sentence. NOTE: The Thesis Statement is the only Step which must be ONE sentence.

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The Thesis Statement Your thesis statement must be argumentative – this means the argument is debatable. Your thesis statement must be argumentative – this means the argument is debatable. It has an opinion and a topic. It has an opinion and a topic. It must be ONE sentence only. It must be ONE sentence only. It becomes the focus for your entire essay – every other sentence in your essay seeks to prove this statement. It becomes the focus for your entire essay – every other sentence in your essay seeks to prove this statement. NOTE: You will be using the topics provided to develop your own thesis. NOTE: You will be using the topics provided to develop your own thesis.

Body Paragraph – General Info You must have a clear topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph. You must have a clear topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph. The topic sentence is ONE sentence only. The topic sentence is ONE sentence only. All your points must be substantiated by a proof (in the form of a quotation). All your points must be substantiated by a proof (in the form of a quotation). You will always follow the point-proof- link/explanation (ppl) format, followed by the appropriate citation. You will always follow the point-proof- link/explanation (ppl) format, followed by the appropriate citation. There will be three (3) quotations in each body paragraph to support your line of argument There will be three (3) quotations in each body paragraph to support your line of argument

Body Paragraph – Cont… Point = the first way you are proving your argument. Point = the first way you are proving your argument. Proof = appropriately formatted quotation Proof = appropriately formatted quotation –4 lines or less of text = woven into the body of your work. –5 lines or more of text = ‘dropped’ / offset from the body of your work by one tab or 0.5”. Link = the analysis. Link = the analysis. Summary / transition = guides the reader to your next line of argument. Summary / transition = guides the reader to your next line of argument.

Body Paragraph – Cont… Your essay will contain three body paragraphs. Your essay will contain three body paragraphs. You will have one body paragraph for each line of argument outlined in your introduction. You will have one body paragraph for each line of argument outlined in your introduction. Remember to tie everything you say back to the thesis you are trying to prove. Remember to tie everything you say back to the thesis you are trying to prove. Your link/analysis should be at least two to three sentences long. Your link/analysis should be at least two to three sentences long.

Concluding Paragraph Re-state (in an original manner) your thesis statement Re-state (in an original manner) your thesis statement Summarize your main arguments. Summarize your main arguments. Include reflective thought – leave your reader thinking. Include reflective thought – leave your reader thinking. Basically, wrap up your essay with eloquence. Basically, wrap up your essay with eloquence. DO NOT introduce any new ideas! DO NOT introduce any new ideas!

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The Standard Rules You must write in the present tense. You must write in the present tense. Never refer to yourself in the first person (“I”, “My opinion”, “Me”, etc.) Never refer to yourself in the first person (“I”, “My opinion”, “Me”, etc.) Do not use contractions (ie. use “cannot” vs. “can’t”) in your writing... Use contractions only in the original quotation. Do not use contractions (ie. use “cannot” vs. “can’t”) in your writing... Use contractions only in the original quotation. –Citation ex.: “Hi, buddy. What’s up?” (Rehm 25). You must have a properly formatted works cited page – on a separate sheet. You must have a properly formatted works cited page – on a separate sheet.

The Standard Rules – Cont… Give your essay an original title and number your pages. Give your essay an original title and number your pages. Always indent new paragraphs. Always indent new paragraphs. Italicize your novel titles. Italicize your novel titles. Double space your essay. Double space your essay. Use transitional words and sentences to connect your ideas and create strong, flowing unity of thought. Use transitional words and sentences to connect your ideas and create strong, flowing unity of thought.

To Review Your essay will have five paragraphs Your essay will have five paragraphs Introduction Introduction Body Paragraph 1 : 3 PPLs Body Paragraph 1 : 3 PPLs Body Paragraph 2 : 3 PPLs Body Paragraph 2 : 3 PPLs Body Paragraph 3 : 3 PLLs Body Paragraph 3 : 3 PLLs Conclusion Conclusion This means you will have nine (9) quotes total. This means you will have nine (9) quotes total.

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