1. Essay Writing
The Essentials

2. Purpose of a Character Analysis
To prove your knowledge and comprehension of the novel
To enhance your knowledge and awareness of the psychological factors that make people “tick”

3. Purpose of Introduction
To clarify what the essay is about
To put the topic of the essay in context
To set the tone for the essay
To “hook” the reader into wanting to read more

4. Introductions The following can be included in an introduction:
Background information needed to understand the rest of the essay
Relevant statistics
Definitions needed for the rest of the essay
Thesis statement

5. What isn’t an Introduction?
DOES NOT summarize your essay
DOES NOT state evidence (other than main points given in your thesis statement)
DOES NOT “dilly-dally” – straight and to the point!

6. What is a “Hook”?
The first few lines of a story – meant to “hook” the reader
They set the tone
They make the reader wonder or ask questions
They make the reader want to keep reading

7. Bold and challenging statement
Types of Hooks
Question
Riddle
Announcement
Bold and challenging statement
Definition
Opinion
Quotation
Personal experience
Figurative Language
General statement

8. Question Open with an interesting question related to your main topic
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to travel into outer space?

9. Riddle Open with a riddle that the reader can solve by reading further
What textbook has been around for millions of years, has no pages, and smells like dirt? The Great Outdoors!

10. Announcement
Open with an announcement about what is to come, but do not demean the reader by saying, “I am going to tell you about…”
Writing is a difficult process. But, with continued practice and revision, anyone can be a skilled writer.

11. Bold and Challenging Statement
Open with a bold and challenging statement that is meant to cause some readers to disagree with what you have to say.
Keeping wild animals in cages at the zoo is animal abuse.

12. Definition Open with a definition of the term you are discussing
According to Webster's Dictionary, a government is the authority that serves the people and acts on their behalf. If people do not vote, on whose behalf is the government acting?

13. Opinion
Open with your opinion on the topic; this is similar to “bold and challenging statement,” but you let the reader know it is your opinion
In my opinion teachers should be paid more than professional athletes.

14. Quotation
Open with a quotation from a famous (or not famous) person; be sure to cite your source
Jimi Hendrix once said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

15. Personal Experience
Open with something that has happened to you, a personal experience
Although I never saw my dad cry, I have to believe that he cried the day his father died.

16. Figurative Language
Open with figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole
The bedroom was a black hole; whatever went in there disappeared forever.

17. General Statement
Open with a general statement containing three or so ideas about your topic
There are many traits that good leaders possess, but the three most important are responsibility, intelligence, and compassion.

18. Introduction Hook: 10 options discussed previously
Name the author and title of the book in which your character “lives”
Describe your character’s role in the novel
Example: Despite common belief and stereotype, not all individuals in the South in 1935 were racist. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows that the majority of Maycomb was very conservative but that there were characters such as Miss Maudie Atkinson who stood against the rest.

19. Thesis Statement THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE OF YOUR ENTIRE ESSAY
Last sentence of your introductory paragraph

20. Thesis Statement Make a claim about the character:
How does the character function in the historical context and the cultural setting of the novel?
What is the character’s quest/motivation throughout the book?
How does the character change and grow emotionally and/or spiritually throughout the book?
In what way does the character influence and affect other characters?

21. Thesis Statement
Example: Through her interaction with others, her conflicts, and how other characters view her, it is clear that Miss Maudie Atkinson is a positive influence on the children and helps them see the possibilities for the future.

22. Recipe for Paragraphs One topic sentence
Many supporting ideas and evidence
Enough transitions
One closer

23. Ingredient #1: Topic Sentences
Each paragraph MUST start with a topic sentence
Provides a relevant idea about the paper
States something specific
Introduces the main idea
Lets the reader know what the paragraph will be about (a “hook” for that section)

24. Ingredient #2: Supporting Ideas
Be relevant to the topic
Give specific details, facts, or statistics to “prove” the main idea of the paragraph
Be descriptive and interesting
Explain or refine ideas/terms that may be unclear to the reader

25. Ingredient #3: Transitions
Help the essay flow
Link one idea to another: each sentence should connect to the one before but should still introduce new material
Strengthen ideas
EXAMPLES: see page 53 of the Roosevelt Writing Guide

26. Ingredient #4: Closers
Restate the main idea of the paragraph – USING DIFFERENT WORDS
Remind the reader of the writer’s feelings toward the topic
Appear at the end of the paragraph
After the closer it should only be natural for the paragraph to come to a close

27. In General… Unity: each paragraph should only have ONE idea
Coherence: each paragraph should make sense (transitions!)
Adequacy: each paragraph should have a fully-developed topic (needs to be more than two-three sentences)

28. Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence: introduce the topic of the paragraph and how it relates to the thesis – there should be NO question as to what the paragraph is about  THE TOP PIECE OF BREAD
Supporting Details: PROVE the main point in relation to the thesis  THE MEAT
Quote: should relate directly to your supporting details (and thus your topic sentence)  THE “EXTRAS”
Closer: draws the paragraph to a close – should tie closely with topic sentence  THE BOTTOM PIECE OF BREAD

29. Body Paragraphs
Example: One reason it is evident that Miss Maudie believes differently from the rest of her community is by how she interacts with others. While many of the adults frown upon the children’s antics, Miss Maudie celebrates their curiosity and innocence and greatly respects them. After Tom Robinson was found guilty, the kids were very upset; Miss Maudie had them over for cake the following morning and talked with Jem: “I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step” (246). Because Miss Maudie was able to see the positive in an otherwise horrible situation and furthermore show that optimism to the children, they are able to see the possibility for a different future.

30. Body Paragraphs Make sure your quote is cited correctly: Quote
“I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step” (246).
Quote
Period (outside of parentheses)
Page Number in Parentheses

31. Transitions The essay must flow smoothly and coherently
You may use simple transitions such as “one reason,” “another reason,” and “the final reason,” BUT…
Look on page 53 of your Writing Guide (blue book) to be more creative

32. What are Conclusions? Are interesting
Leave the reader with a strong sense of what the paper was about
Leave the reader with something to think about
Are lively and keep the reader involved
Can relate to the introduction to give the reader a sense of order
Must be at least three sentences

33. What Aren’t Conclusions?
Don’t leave the reader hanging (never say, “And it was all a dream”)
Don’t insult the reader by telling him/her what you just wrote
Don’t summarize your essay
Don’t use the hook – but can restate it

34. Types of Conclusions Question Strong Statement Summary
Personal Comment
Mystery
Beginning of New Story
Quotation
Open Conclusion

35. Question Close with a question that involves the reader
Can be answered or can be left open for the reader to decide
Must relate to the main idea
“Andrew decided he would never ride on a roller coaster again. Who could blame him?”

36. Strong Statement
Close with a statement that forcefully states your opinion
“Laws need to be rewritten immediately so that no more felons go free just because they are juveniles.”

37. Summary Close with a summary of your main ideas
Do not repeat yourself word-for-word
DO NOT say, “This essay was about…”
“It is not important to know everything, but it is important to know how to find the answer. Learning to research is essential.”

38. Personal Comment
Close with a comment or a response to what you have written
This is not an opinion; it is a personal conclusion or a lesson you learned because of the experience you wrote
“I should have listened when my parents told me not to go to that party. Next time I will know.”

39. Mystery
Close with a statement that shows that some things will never be resolved
Be sure to end in a way, though, that does not make it seem like you forgot to finish your paper
“Just as he appeared, he was gone. None of us ever saw him again.”

40. Beginning of New Story
Close with the beginning of a new story or a hint of things to come
ONLY for stories or personal narratives
“Javier closed his eyes and thought of all the adventures yet to come.”

41. Quotation MUST cite your source (famous or not)
Must be directly related to the topic
“‘You will regret this!’ Susie said as I boarded the airplane to skydive. Luckily, she was wrong.”

42. Open Conclusion
Close with a statement that lets the reader draw his or her own conclusion
Kind of a “fill-in-the-blank” conclusion
Make sure to give enough in the body of the essay to allow them to draw their own conclusion
“There are statistics that ‘prove’ drivers of all ages are dangerous. Therefore, whether or not teenagers are the most dangerous drivers is still debatable.”

43. Conclusion Restate your thesis statement in DIFFERENT words
Add some final thoughts about your character – maybe add another quote that didn’t fit in with your main points but that really shows who your character is
Closer: 8 options discussed earlier
Leave the reader in awe of your wisdom!

44. Conclusion
Example: Many characters in Maycomb exhibit qualities characteristic of the time period, but Miss Maudie Atkinson stands apart from her peers and is ready for a positive change. At one point in the book, Miss Maudie says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (90), and it is clear that she is not talking about birds but is instead discussing equality, fairness, and respect of all individuals with the children. Through this instance and additional interactions with others, the conflicts she faces, and others’ views of her, Miss Maudie Atkinson is identified as not only the most progressive individual but also the most positive influence and best teacher in To Kill a Mockingbird.

45. The Big No-No’s Do not say, “This essay is about…”
Do not use 1st or 2nd person point-of-view
I, we, me, us, you, etc.
Do not use contractions: spell out “does not” instead of “doesn’t”
Do not use slang
Do not make grammar mistakes regarding rules we have discussed – you WILL be required to correct them
WRITE LIKE
THIS

46. The Big Yes-Yes’s Double-space your essay
Write in 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial, Century Gothic)
Title your paper – centered underneath heading and before your introduction
Head your paper (top left):
Name
Teacher
Class
Due date

47. The Magnificent Miss Maudie
The Big Yes-Yes’s
Melinda Sordino
Ms. Bollinger
English I
June 2, 2011
The Magnificent Miss Maudie
Despite common belief and stereotype, not all
individuals in the South in 1935 were racist. In To Kill a
Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows that the majority of
Maycomb was very conservative but that there were
characters such as Miss Maudie Atkinson who stood
against the rest…
HEADING
TITLE
ESSAY