1 Tips on Essay Writing The Thesis Statement Transitions Conclusion

2 The Thesis  The argument of your paper  Includes the Author & Title (usually)  Includes Character/Narrator being discussed (if applicable)  Must be detailed & specific  Must reveal your perspective  Must be debatable  Usually suggests the organization of the paper  Usually placed at the end of the Intro. Paragraph

3 The Prompt…  Analyze the author’s use of irony throughout the text and its impact on the novel.

4 THESIS- About Specific Literary Element  “ ‘An Astrologer’s Day,’ by R.K. Narayan, is a comic but thought-provoking story in which irony is used for several purposes: to make us doubt the astrologer, to build suspense, and to develop theme.”

5 Title Author Relates back to the prompt Shows organization of the paper AND provides specifics of the argument

6 The Intro Paragraph  Like the Roman Empire, a Shakespearean hero, Richard Nixon, and O.J Simpson, greatness often ends with a tragic downfall. Likewise, Jay Gatsby and Dick Diver, fictional characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald, suffer a similar calamity because of their flawed dreams of success. Gatsby and Diver’s tragic decline in life form the main interest in the novels the Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night, respectively. In these novels, Fitzgerald shows how both Gatsby and Diver rise from a lower class to an upper class through the fulfillment of a false dream. But because they fail to recognize that true success derives from personal accomplishment rather than social status and wealth, both men inevitably fall from greatness.

7 The Intro Paragraph  Like the Roman Empire, a Shakespearean hero, Richard Nixon, and O.J Simpson, greatness often ends with a tragic downfall. Likewise, Jay Gatsby and Dick Diver, fictional characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald, suffer a similar calamity because of their flawed dreams of success. Gatsby and Diver’s tragic decline in life form the main interest in the novels the Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night, respectively. In these novels, Fitzgerald shows how both Gatsby and Diver rise from a lower class to an upper class through the fulfillment of a false dream. But because they fail to recognize that true success derives from personal accomplishment rather than social status and wealth, both men inevitably fall from greatness. “Attention Grabber” Thesis Statement

8 The Intro Paragraph  Like the Roman Empire, a Shakespearean hero, Richard Nixon, and O.J Simpson, greatness often ends with a tragic downfall. Likewise, Jay Gatsby and Dick Diver, fictional characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald, suffer a similar calamity because of their flawed dreams of success. Gatsby and Diver’s tragic decline in life form the main interest in the novels the Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night, respectively. In these novels, Fitzgerald shows how both Gatsby and Diver rise from a lower class to an upper class through the fulfillment of a false dream. But because they fail to recognize that true success derives from personal accomplishment rather than social status and wealth, both men inevitably fall from greatness. “Attention Grabber” Thesis Statement Necessary Background Info

9 The Intro Paragraph  Like the Roman Empire, a Shakespearean hero, Richard Nixon, and O.J Simpson, greatness often ends with a tragic downfall. Likewise, Jay Gatsby and Dick Diver, fictional characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald, suffer a similar calamity because of their flawed dreams of success. Gatsby and Diver’s tragic decline in life form the main interest in the novels the Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night, respectively. In these novels, Fitzgerald shows how both Gatsby and Diver rise from a lower class to an upper class through the fulfillment of a false dream. But because they fail to recognize that true success derives from personal accomplishment rather than social status and wealth, both men inevitably fall from greatness. “Attention Grabber” Thesis Statement Necessary Background Info

10 Transitions  Words or phrases that connect or “hook” one idea to the next  To be used both between and within paragraphs  Transition devices include using connecting words as well as repeating key words or using synonyms

11 Example of Transitions In the beginning, the boys view the conch as an important symbol that unites them and gives them the power to deal with their difficult situation…[details & support]… Thus, at first the conch is an important object bringing civilizing influences to the boys as they work together to make the best of a bad situation. Gradually, however, the conch becomes less important to the boys, signifying their gradual turn to evil.

12 In the beginning, the boys view the conch as an important symbol that unites them and gives them the power to deal with their difficult situation…[details & support]… Thus, at first the conch is an important object bringing civilizing influences to the boys as they work together to make the best of a bad situation. Gradually, however, the conch becomes less important to the boys, signifying their gradual turn to evil. … Transitions from the previous paragraph into the next point/ paragraph. Transition Words that show time Transition Word that shows support Transition Word that compares & contrasts

13 More Transition Examples  Please see your “Transitional Words & Phrases” Hand-out for additional suggestions! (You will receive this shortly)  Effective use of transition words & phrases between sentences & paragraphs allow for the reader to better follow your argument.

14 The Conclusion  Last paragraph in your essay  Begins by re-stating your thesis without repeating the words verbatim.  Should attempt to answer the “so what?” question your reader may have after reading your essay.

15 Conclusion The conclusion should do one or more of the following:  Offer a reflection on society as a whole  Evaluate how successful the author is in achieving his or her goal or message  Give a personal statement about the topic  Make predictions/ Includes a relevant quote  Connect back to your creative opening  Give your opinion of the novel’s value or significance

16 Example Conclusion  Through the final scenes of both books, the wasted lives of Jay Gatsby and Dick Diver contrast with their earlier promising futures. Such a huge rise to success only gains for Gatsby and Diver materialistic lifestyles devoid of inner depth. Gatsby and Diver’s “success” quickly turns hollow, and both ultimately have sown the seeds of their own shattered dreams and downfall. At the end, the “Great” Gatsby does not turn out to be as great as people believed he was at first sight. Also, Diver “dives” into misery and failure as his name suggests. Sadly, the pattern of rise and decline spans a full arch in both Gatsby’s and Diver’s lives…. Re-states and reflects back on the THESIS

17 …They like F. Scott Fitzgerald himself are people unable to compete successfully or find happiness in the materialistic world of the twenties. Today, Western societies are still fighting this dangerous pursuit for wealth and power. Gatsby and Diver, along with many others, still believe in the pursuit of greatness through wealth and material success. As Fitzgerald himself expresses at the end of the great Gatsby, “tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther – [to reach for the American Dream]. …We [will] beat on, [like] boats against the current, born back ceaselessly into the past: (182). As in the lives of Kick Diver, Jay Gatsby, and countless others, the pattern and theme of rise and decline continues to manifest itself in society. Includes an overarching quote Makes a comment about society in general

18 Citing Your Textual Support  MLA FORMAT: Modern Language Association (MLA)- The general requirements are as follows:  PARENTHETICAL DOCUMNETATION: If you cite the author in the text of your paper, give only the page number in parentheses:  Ex. According to Francis Guerin, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reflects “those same nightmarish shadows that even in our own time threaten to obscure the American Dream” (49).

19 Info Adapted from…  s/academics/english/curriculum/literarygui de.pdf s/academics/english/curriculum/literarygui de.pdf  Holt Online Textbook