1. Keller’s Final exam Essay Tips

2. Before the Day of the Essay
Review all our information on Hemingway, his writing, and his background. Use the background documentary topics and responses for help.
Understand Hemingway’s stylistic traits that he uses in his writing.

3. Before you write your essay
When you get the essay, read and annotate the question several times.
Then read the passage with a pen in hand, marking up important parts, writing notes on the side, etc…
Then take a few minutes to plan out how you will structure your essay. What will your main arguments be? What will your points of support be?

4. While You’re writing your essay
Make sure your thesis is valid, it can control the entire essay, and it covers all aspects of the prompt.
When writing your essay, make sure you are constantly staying on track, that your essay is always focused on what the prompt is asking. I would suggest that you make sure to directly go back to your thesis at the end of each body paragraph – not letting the end of the current paragraph serve as a preview of the next paragraph. While staying on track may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how often this is a problem area for students and can ruin an otherwise well-written essay.

5. While You’re writing your essay
You should use quotes from the passage that you’ll get during the final exam to support your views throughout the essay in your body paragraphs as well as specific examples (and quotes if possible) from The Old Man and the Sea so have your novel (and if you’d like to use references to the other Hemingway stories you’ve read, that’s great too).
Your essay should be four or more paragraphs in length.

6. As always when writing an essay
Use a black or blue pen, neat paper (no frillies), use MLA headers, your handwriting should be easily readable, and only write on one side of the paper.