1. Writing the Response-to-Literature Essay

2. Intro. Paragraph with
thesis statement*
Body Par. #1
Body Par. #2
Body Par. #3
Concluding Paragraph

3. Introductory Paragraph -- Like a funnel, start with a broad connection to the topic and then hone in on your point (thesis).
Introduce author, novel title and genre
The thesis statement which must introduce bildungsroman
Outline key aspects to be discussed

4. THESIS STATEMENT:
One sentence that determines what your essay will discuss.
It must be concise and clear.
For example:
Although Katniss eventually wins the ‘Hunger Games’, she does not feel a sense of fulfillment rather remorse and anger.
Golding uses techniques symbolizing the boys’ decline into savagery to create momentum in the text.

5. THESIS STATEMENT Examples
Atticus was a good role model who conveyed moral ideals to live by for Jem and Scout.
If you would like the challenge, you can develop a detailed thesis:
Atticus was a good role model for Jem and Scout because he taught them to respect all people regardless of their station in life, to walk in other’s shoes when doubtful of another person, and to be brave in the face of adversity.
MUST BE CLEAR!

6. Thesis with 3 major reasons
Intro. Paragraph with
thesis statement*
Thesis with 3 major reasons
Body Par. #1
Reason #1 discussed in this
paragraph
Body Par. #2
(optional)
Reason #2 discussed in this paragraph
Body Par. #3 (optional)
Reason #3 discussed in this paragraph
Concluding Paragraph
Final thoughts

7. Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy
How to Write an
Effective Body Paragraph

8. BODY:
The support paragraphs of your essay. These paragraphs contain supporting examples (textual evidence) and analysis or explanation (commentary) for your topic sentences.
Each paragraph in the body includes
a topic sentence/support thesis
integrated evidence/examples
commentary/explanation for evidence/examples, and
a concluding sentence.

9. How to write an Effective Body Paragraph
Blue is for Topic Sentences and Concluding Sentences (TS and CS)
Red is for Concrete Details (CD)
Green is for Commentary (CM) sentences.
How to write an Effective Body Paragraph

10. TS = first sentence of the paragraph. It outlines the main idea.
Step 1: TOPIC SENTENCE
A Topic Sentence (TS) is the top bun of a hamburger.
TS = first sentence of the paragraph. It outlines the main idea.
It identifies one aspect of the thesis and states a primary reason why the major thesis is true.

11. Example Topic Sentences for Lord of the Flies with Piggy as the focus:
1. Piggy is initially characterized through his weaknesses.
2. Throughout the novel, Piggy is portrayed as the voice of rationality and reason in an increasingly chaotic society.
3. Piggy’s death symbolizes the end of any chance the boys had to restore order on the island.

12. Create detail(CD) is the meat of the hamburger.
Step 2: EVIDENCE
CD = quoted passages or paraphrased facts from the story
CD is evidence that supports your point!

13. More on Textual Evidence . . .
a specific example from the work of literature used to provide evidence for your topic sentence and support your thesis.
Evidence can be a combination of paraphrased and direct quotation from the work.
“she drove the knife at Valentine’s heart” (pg. 26)
“ a terrible scar ran down her face…..she looked like a portrait that had been furiously crossed out” (pg. 28)
Hester reveals her hatred by shouting “Look at what your brave, kind Valentine did to me!” (pg. 29)
More on Textual Evidence . . .

14. Quotes must be placed in context:
You must have a sentence or clause prior to the quote that explains the relevance of the quote you are utilizing. Example lead-in clauses: Hester evidently understands the crisis facing Traction cities as she states….. Her anger was demonstrated though….. Initially she is appalled by……... and………. Her distrust for…………..eventually dissipates as she………..
Quotes must be placed in context:

15. Commentary Sentences (CM) are the “extras” on the hamburger
Commentary tells the reader what the author of the text means or how the evidence proves the topic sentence and supports the thesis.
CMs = your analysis, interpretation, explanation, argument, reflection, or insight into the text.
Step 3: COMMENTARY

16. Tips for Writing Commentary (CM)
These sentence starters put the writer into commentary-mode:
This shows that
This is important because . . .
**Note: As you become a more sophisticated writer, you will not need these starter words rather…..
Evidently. . .
The novel reveals. . .
This illustrates . . .
The character’s statement highlights the difference between . . .

17. Example Commentary Sentences (2 CMs)
Using the previous evidence from Hester Shaw:
(TST) Her anger towards the infamous Valentine is evidently enough for her to want to end his life.
(TIIB) Hester’s mysterious scar and behaviour heighten readers interest as she initiates the novel’s complication due her conflicting views on both Traction Cities and Valentine.

18. Step 4: CONCLUDING SENTENCE
A concluding sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger.
Step 4: CONCLUDING SENTENCE
It concludes the paragraph by tying the evidence and commentary back to the topic sentence and/or thesis statement.
A CS wraps up the paragraph. It rephrases the main idea.

19. Example Concluding Sentence (CS)
The protagonist’s companion, Hester, is fueled by revenge to kill Valentine.
Hester is first introduced to readers as both mysterious and violent. She is initially described to readers as having a “ a terrible scar (that) ran down her face…..she looked like a portrait that had been furiously crossed out” (pg. 28). Tom, the protagonist, is a 15 year old boy witnesses Hester driving a “knife at Valentine’s heart” (pg. 26) (TST) Her anger towards the infamous Historian, Valentine, is evidently enough for her to want to end his life. (TIIB) Hester’s mysterious scar and behaviour heighten readers interest as she initiates the novel’s complication due her conflicting views on both Traction Cities and Valentine. Hester’s hostile nature questions Tom’s outlook and reveals her determined personality.
THIS IS A BRIEF EXAMPLE!
Example Concluding Sentence (CS)

20. A combination of CDs and CMs is called a “chunk.”
CHUNKS
TS, CD, CM, CS—Now What?
A combination of CDs and CMs is called a “chunk.”
You will use a combination (or “ratio”) of 1:2 meaning for every 1 CD, you will have 2 CMs

21. Transitions Examples of transitions: For instance, For example, Thus,
A good paragraph will also use transition words. These are words or phrases that help readers connect ideas.
Transitions
Examples of transitions:
For instance,
For example,
Thus,
In summary,
Because of this,
Hence,
Therefore,
Consequently,
As a result,

22. Conjunctive Adverbs
and Transitional Phrases
Conjunctive adverbs modify entire sentences in order to relate them to preceding sentences or paragraphs. Here is a list of some of them, courtesy of The Brief Holt Handbook: 
accordingly   also  anyway  besides  certainly  consequently  finally  furthermore  hence  however  incidentally   indeed  instead  likewise
meanwhile  moreover  nevertheless  next   nonetheless  now  otherwise  similarly  still  then  thereafter  therefore  thus  undoubtedly 

23. major thesis without repeating words verbatim.
Concluding Paragraph – reverse funnel: go from specifics to
a broader, universal statement.
Echo your
major thesis without repeating words verbatim.
Then, broaden from the thesis to answer the “so what?” question for your reader.
Reflect on how your topic relates to the book as a whole, give your (3rd person) opinion of the novel’s significance, or connect back to your creative opening.