1. How to Help Your Reader Keep Up!
Who’s Doing What?
How to Help Your Reader Keep Up!

2. Levels of Engagement: Level 1: Within the Work
“[I think] Achilles is a noble man.”
Level 2: Alongside the Author
“Homer thinks Achilles is a noble man.”
Level 3: Part of the Conversation
“The author of “The Sacrifice of Achilles” thinks that Achilles is a noble man.”

3. Level 1: Within the Work
If a claim addresses the internal state of a character within the work, you must enter the plot in order to prove it.
Ex: “Achilles knows he is destined to die.”
“Aias admires Achilles.”
His speech in the embassy from Agamemnon
He sends a warrior to let Achilles know that Patroklos has died
To prove a point within the work, one must engage from within the work.

4. Level 2: Alongside the Author
On this level we are sitting beside the author, watching as he speaks through setting, plot, dialogue, even spelling!
Since we can’t actually crawl into Homer or Dante’s mind, we have to gather as much clear evidence as possible to prove a point on this level.
Ex: ““Dante the pilgrim sheds tears when he hears the story of Paolo and Francesca (Inferno V.115). Dante the poet wants the reader to see how moved the pilgrim is by this tragic story.”
Ex:“Dante the poet describes unbending reeds that surround the islet of Purgatory (Purgatorio I.103). This means the poet thinks no one should bend to God’s will in Purgatory.”

5. Level 3: Part of the Conversation
By including secondary literature in your paper, you are joining a conversation spanning time and space about a particular work.
Be familiar with the first two levels before rising to the third.
Be Polite:
Don’t Barge In
Introduce Your Interlocutors
Make Sure Everyone is on the Same Page

6. How Can the Reader Keep Up?
Use Directive Expressions
“Dante the pilgrim cries”
“Homer shows”
“John Doe writes”
Craft each Claim Carefully
“Dante the Poet believes that God’s punishments are just.”
“Dr. John Doe’s analysis of the relationship between Aias and Achilles does not account for the speeches given in Achilles’ tent.”
Avoid Generalities
“Human beings are wicked, and Dante the poet understands this.”
“Achilles loves his friend as himself.”

7. Address every level necessary to demonstrate your thesis
Remember:
Address every level necessary to demonstrate your thesis
Let your readers know where you are and where you are going so they can keep up!