1. Essay Planning Sheet
Please show Ms. Patterson your steps for completing the To Kill a Mockingbird essay (handout from Thursday, April 30th)

2. Essay Writing
Review of MLA conventions, paragraph structure, thesis statements, and properly integrating quotations

3. MLA Conventions
These are the rules you follow to format your essay properly. These conventions are used for all English courses in high school as well as at post-secondary.
In the TOP LEFT corner of your Word document you should include: 1. Your first and last name, 2. Course teacher: Ms. Patterson, 3. Course code: ENG 2DI-05, 4. The date
Next, craft a descriptive title and center it on the page. DO NOT bold, underline, or italicize the title.
Now you need to add what is called the “header”.
In Word you would click on “Insert” tab, then select “Page Number” button and select “Top of Page” and choose the one that has the number on the RIGHT HAND SIDE. Once you have done this you just have to add your LAST NAME before the page number. Your last name and subsequent page numbers will appear automatically as your write your essay.

4. MLA Conventions
Don’t forget to double space your work. If an essay is not double spaced you will be asked to print a new one for Ms. Patterson.
This is the button in Word

5. First line of paragraphs are indented
Header with your last name and page number
Your Name
Ms. Patterson
ENG 2DI-05
Date
Descriptive title that conveys the topic of your essay clearly
First line of paragraphs are indented
(press Tab on keyboard)
Margins are 1” the entire way around the page.

6. Works Cited Page
The page header with your last name and page number is continued.
“Works Cited” is centered on the page; no bold, italics or underline
Each entry follows MLA guidelines and it is formatted in alphabetical order. *For this essay you will likely only have ONE entry: the novel.

7. Paragraph Structure INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Begins broadly and ends with a narrow focus, your thesis
Must include the title of the novel and the author’s name
Your three-pronged thesis is the last line of the paragraph
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
Begins by restating your thesis
Restates your main arguments
Ends on a broad note; leaves your reader thinking about your argument/topic
Stated in different words

8. What is a THESIS statement?
A thesis is a one sentence statement that introduces an opinion (the writer’s position) on any given topic.
This statement must also include ‘3 prongs’ that identify the main points that you will be arguing throughout.
It answers the essay question
It must state a strong opinion that would generate an argument If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
It must be specific and avoid vague language like ‘good’, ‘important’ or ‘successful’
Your thesis statement must be insightful, original and spark interest in the reader. Does your thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is, “So what?” then you need to clarify, or connect to a larger/ more important issue. Do not point out the obvious!

9. Thesis Example Let’s look at an example…
You are reading Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, and you seem to be most interested in what the author has to say about society?
Question:
What does Collins seem to be suggesting about reality television in her novel The Hunger Games?
Answer:
In the novel The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins demonstrates how reality television desensitizes the contestants, viewers and society, ultimately destroying humanity.

10. Body Paragraph Structure
The first line of each paragraph is indented.
You have a topic sentence that begins each body paragraph. The topic sentence presents your specific argument (not an introduction to your argument)
Each body paragraph focuses on explaining three points related to the argument stated in your topic sentence.
Your body paragraphs include specific supporting evidence. You have used direct evidence (quotations) from the book to support your points.
Each body paragraph includes an explanation for each of the three points and proofs. The explanations are insightful and connect to the thesis.
Body paragraphs end with a meaningful concluding sentence. These sentences wrap up the argument discussed.

11. Properly Integrating Quotations
You must integrate direct quotations from the novel into your own sentences (at least one direct quotation per body paragraph). Here is the MLA format you will use:
The adults of Maycomb discriminate against Boo Radley: “He dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained…his eyes popped, and he drooled…” (Lee 13).
It is evident that Scout has matured when she says, “Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird” (276).
Miss Maudie reports that “[matters] are never as bad as they seem” (215), which reveals her desire to move on from the negativity of the trial.
Using Citations Effectively
Quotations in Literary Essays (for extra clarification)
In text citations - formatting

12. Properly Integrating Quotations
Remember to identify the speaker and use punctuation if appropriate before citing the quotation.
If you are quoting one book only and have already introduced the name of the author, write only the page number in parentheses.
Note that the period is placed after the parenthetical page reference or at the end of the sentence (not within the quotation marks).
Use an ellipsis and three dots (…) at the beginning or end of a quotation when you borrow only part of a sentence or speech.
Use square brackets [ ] when adding your own words.
You may integrate up to four lines of quoted text in your essay. Quotations of more than four lines must be set off from the text, introduced by a colon (:), double-spaced and indented one inch (five spaces) from the left margin. As well, the quotation marks should be omitted and the period should be placed before the parenthetical page reference.
You can find further help at or

13. How to submit the essay
Place the good copy on the top with your Works Cited page behind it
Next, you should include all rough work (brainstorming, essay outline, edited rough draft, etc.)
The last sheet should be the PURPLE essay assignment sheet with the rubric.

14. Next steps: Essay DUE DATE: Wednesday, May 13th
Re-read your opinion essay COMMENTS
What do you need to improve on for your To Kill a Mockingbird essay? (PPE, transitions, double space, header, direct proof, etc.)
Review MLA conventions
Plan MSIP periods and time at home where you will work on this essay. Commit to your responsibilities as a student.
Essay DUE DATE:
Wednesday, May 13th