1. Writing the Introduction
The first literary essay

2. Make sure you use your keyword
Edward Said has said exile’s “essential sadness can never be surmounted” but it is at the same time “a potent, even enriching’ experience.”
Times in the past often affect a character’s actions, attitudes, or values in that character’s present.

3. Introduce your character, work and author
In Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Ceremony that sad, yet enriching exile experience is true for Tayo, the main character.
Paul D, a main character in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved makes all his decision and deals with their consequences in light of past events.
Notice:
There are no commas around the titles. Titles are ESSENTIAL and cannot be taken out of the sentence, which the pair of commas implies.
Titles are ITALICIZED
These sentences include the keyword and give a character, but not the thesis yet.
Character’s names come with an introduction they first time they are used. More introduction may be required later in the body of the paper.

4. Finally, the thesis
His exile is both painful and helpful to him and highlights the novel’s message that the feeling of guilt can dehumanize a person and can only be eradicated by forgiveness.
Thank you Sarah Crandel for that theme starter
His relationship to his past points to the truth that though people choose to suppress their past lives running from them never brings healing.
Thanks to Chaise Brown and Jalen Brown for these theme starters
Notice:
The thesis gives a general overview of what will be discussed in the essay, but does not go too far into specifics. Remember the analogy I gave in class.
The thesis connects all parts of the prompt.

5. Ceremony whole introduction
Edward Said has said exile’s “essential sadness can never be surmounted” but it is at the same time “a potent, even enriching’ experience.” In Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Ceremony that sad, yet enriching exile experience is true for Tayo, the main character. His exile is both painful and helpful to him and highlights the novel’s message that the feeling of guilt can dehumanize a person and can only be eradicated by forgiveness

6. Beloved whole introduction
Times in the past often affect a character’s actions, attitudes, or values in that character’s present. Paul D, a main character in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved makes all his decision and deals with their consequences in light of past events. His relationship to his past points to the truth that though people choose to suppress their past lives, running from them never brings healing.