1. Lit Theory Body Paragraphs
Cusmano & Wood
Comp & Lang 2012

2. Writing your lit crit body pagraphs
Topic sentence that connects to a term in your chosen theory.
Several examples that support that topic sentence that have been explained and relate to your thesis.

3. Student Example
Topic sentence: Hall’s short story “The Ledge” exhibits numerous ideas about gender stereotypes, particularly when it comes to what is expected of the sons in the story.
Theory Term: gender stereotypes
Theory: Gender
Technical element: characterization (sons)

4. Example #1
One of the earliest examples is when Hall writes about the fishing trip, “the boys would get a man’s sport their first time out of the ledges” (Hall 1). The sport of hunting is assumed to be a man’s sport because it is dangerous and physically demanding. This also shows that Hall believes women are weak and inept, fulfilling a classic female stereotype.

5. Example #2
Another stereotype about being a young man is shown when the fisherman’s son starts to become afraid. Hall describes his moment of fear saying, “he cried softly for a brief moment like a man, his face averted in an effort neither to give or show pain” (Hall 9). Because of the time period & society Hall grew up in, he believed that “real” men did not show weakness. He stereotypes the belief that men should not show emotion, fear or pain.

6. Thoughts about body paragraphs
Include at least 3 examples in each body paragraph that connect to each other & your theory.
Make sure each example is supported with your own analysis
Check your thesis as well to make sure that you focus on the technical element in your examples as well.
For instance: if your technical element was plot structure, then all of your examples in your body paragraph should refer to the plot.