Practice Makes Perfect!

 Read the passage from Lord of the Flies beginning with, “Jack was bent double,” (pages ) and ends with “He did not notice when Jack spoke.” Then, in a well- organized essay, discuss how Golding conveys the change in Jack. You might consider such elements as figurative language, diction, and imagery.

 Read the prompt and underline specific directions.  Pay close attention to what elements the prompt asks you to use in your analysis. Although the prompt may suggest that you “consider similes, metaphors, and diction”, take it as a command!

 Next, read the text.  What is the author’s attitude, or tone, in the selection?  Identify the specific tones in the passage. Why does the author feel this way? How do you know?  Are there any tone shifts? If so, what and where are they? Use your tone lists to help you determine the most specific tone word.  How are the tones that you identified and the prompt related?

 Use the devices given in the prompt to help you in your explanation.  For example, what word choices (diction) does the author make to show that Jack is becoming savage?  What imagery does the author use to show the change from that of a normal school boy to that of an animalistic savage? Or, does the passage show him first as savage?

 Use your outline! Until you become more experienced, always use the four paragraph outline for style analysis timed writing.  Develop a thesis statement. The thesis statement IS your essay. The rest is evidence. This is the most important sentence in the entire essay.

 Introduction:  Universal statement  Thesis – stating the title, author, and genre.  Connecting statement  1 st body paragraph:  Topic sentence – Should NOT mention literary devices.  CD (text evidence)  CM (commentary)  CD (text evidence)  CM (commentary)  2 nd body paragraph:  Topic sentence -Should NOT mention literary devices.  CD (text evidence)  CM (commentary)  CD (text evidence)  CM (commentary)  Conclusion  Thesis – stating the title, author, and genre. Stating your point  Concluding idea s – Think about themes, what we’ve learned, etc.

 The introduction MUST contain the following:  Universal statement. This is a broad idea that you get from the passage. In this passage, think about how close humans and animals really are. Is there a statement that you can make about this idea?  TAG – title, author, genre  THESIS statement!!! – This should be the FOURTH sentence in your introductory paragraph  Extension sentence – This is a transition from your introduction to your first body paragraph.

 The first sentence of the body paragraph must be a STRONG topic sentence.  Example: “Although Jack is a young English school boy, his actions begin to resemble that of an animal.”  Do NOT use: “Golding uses figurative language and diction to show that Jack is becoming animal-like.”

 Next, use the items listed in the prompt (if given) to help you give evidence for your topic sentence.  Additionally, you must give commentary about that evidence.  You may have several pieces of evidence in one paragraph. These body paragraphs should be lengthy!

 You MUST revisit your thesis in the conclusion. Your thesis statement is the ANSWER to the prompt. Don’t throw it away; it’s the purpose of your entire essay.  The conclusion is important; it’s where you have the chance to make a lasting impact. Think about what the author is trying to say on a global level (theme). What can we learn from reading this selection?

 Do NOT use personal pronouns in reference to yourself or the reader. No “I”, “me”, or “you” permitted!  Do NOT use the term “the reader”. Who are you talking about when you write “the reader”? How do you know what “the reader” is thinking or will think? Don’t use it. It’s just weird.  Make sure that your evidence supports the topic sentence of your body paragraph. Quotes that serve only to help summarize are not needed.