ESSAY TIPS! HOW TO AVOID A SCARLET C ON YOUR ESSAY! The Scarlet Letter

Theme vs. Fact Thesis must have a provable idea, and not simply state a fact. Some examples include: Hawthorne illustrates through the main character, Hester Prynne, the variety of ways that sin can isolate the sinner. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne to show how sin can isolate the sinner physically, socially, and religiously. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne illustrates the guilt that Arthur Dimmesdale suffers socially, physically, and emotionally. Hawthorne uses Pearl to demonstrate how sin victimizes those innocent of sin. Hawthorne uses Dimmesdale to show that guilt can destroy a person, both in body and soul.

Theme vs. Fact Topic sentences/ Secondary Claims must also provide an idea to prove or support. This is where you might state one effect of your topic. Near the middle of The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale’s guilt greatly affects his spiritual and emotional life. In the beginning of the book, Hester is isolated from society both socially and physically. Hawthorne depicts how sin isolates Hester Prynne physically from the society in which she lives. From the moment Hester enters the novel, Hawthorne hints at how her sin cuts her off psychologically from society.

Thesis words Define your terms! Look at the key words of your thesis. Find other ways to say these words. HINT: Do not simply use a thesaurus. Look at the text carefully to examine the various ways Hawthorne defines or shows us these terms. What does it mean to be isolated? What does it mean to be destroyed by guilt?

Analysis Focus on Hawthorne. What is his intent/purpose/meaning in illustrating these instances? Hawthorne does not “use” his own quotations or “provide” examples. Do not simply list examples of how the character shows the idea of the theme. You must examine how Hawthorne creates these situations in an effort to demonstrate his theme. Look carefully at the text. Avoid plot summary.

Quotations You should have a minimum of two quotations incorporated into each body paragraph. Ask yourself these questions regarding each quote you include: 1) Does this quote directly and clearly support the topic of my support and this body paragraph. 2) Is my quote part of a sentence? 3) If I have a block quotation (longer than 3 lines), does it begin on a new line? 4) Is this quote the absolute best quote to extract from the text to prove my claim? Be sure to consider your choices. Ask me for help with this if you are unsure.

Additional tips for success! Watch out for the following: Run-on sentences Usage of comma’s and semicolons,/; Whom/who 16 vs. sixteen- you always should write out the number! Rhetorical questions—DO NOT ASK THESE Use of the word “like” –instead try “for example” or “for instance” Sentence fluency/ fragments- this goes along with proofreading Present tense! Be sure to refer to the plot/ characters in the present tense at all times throughout your essay Be sure to underline or italicize titles! Integrate quotations seamlessly into your own sentences. “This” should be followed by a noun. Better yet, do NOT use the sentence construction “This example shows….”

Conclusion Remember, you did not have to write a conclusion for your first essay in this class. Please follow the guidelines below when writing your conclusion for this essay. 4-6 sentences Summarize last 1-2 pages of novel. Connect what’s happening on those last pages to the theme you’re analyzing. Universal idea: Mention how theme is still relevant today.

Organization  A) You may choose to organize and write your essay chronologically  For example:  Body paragraph #1:  “Hawthorne demonstrates that guilt can destroy a person both in body and soul in the beginning of the novel when Dimmesdale’s Health is fair”  Body paragraph #2:  "Hawthorne demonstrates that guilt can destroy a person both in body and soul in the middle of his novel when his health is deteriorating”  Body paragraph #3:  “Hawthorne demonstrates that guilt can destroy a person both in body and soul at the end of the novel when Dimmesdale’s body and soul is ultimately annihilated”

Topic  B) You may choose to write by topic  For example:  Body paragraph #1:  “Hawthorne demonstrates that sin isolates the sinner when Hester’s sin isolates her is socially”  Body paragraph #2:  “Secondly, Hawthorne demonstrates that sin isolates the sinner through Hester’s sin isolating her physically”  Body paragraph #3:  “Thirdly, Hawthorne demonstrates that sin isolates the sinner through Hester’s sin isolating her religiously”

Both  C) You may choose to do both (this is the most difficult method to attempt)  For example:  Body paragraph #1:  “Hawthorne first illustrates how Pearl becomes an innocent victim of sin in the beginning of the novel, when the Puritan community wrongfully places their anger from Hester’s affair on Pearl”  Body paragraph #2:  “In the middle of the novel, it is evident that Pearl is an innocent victim of sin when she grows up without a patriarchal family in Puritan society”  Body paragraph #3:  “Lastly, at the end of Hawthorne’s novel, he illustrates Pearl to be an innocent victim of sin by demonstrating her lack of any human sympathies”