1. Analysis Essay Example Paragraphs
Things Fall Apart
Analysis Essay Example Paragraphs

2. Introduction
Hook
Background- brief background of the story (don’t tell me everything, keep it short, this is not a summary essay)
Restate the prompt
Thesis- what is your point?

3. Introduction Paragraph Example
A tragic hero is a character who starts off in a high position, but has a major downfall in the end. In the story Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo demonstrates the qualities and goes through events characteristic of a tragic hero. A great wrestler and highly respected warrior, Okonkwo had it all, and he earned it. His father was an unsuccessful and weak man amongst a society that valued manliness. Okonkwo’s entire life revolved around the fear of being weak like his father. Okonkwo is the example of an ideal Igbo man. Okonkwo’s identity as an Igbo person is challenged by personal obstacles and by the introduction of a new culture. Okonkwo’s reaction to the cultural collision deeply shapes the meaning of the story. Okonkwo’s hamartia, the inability to control his fear of looking weak, causes him to deal carelessly with the new culture and results in his suffering and demise.

4. Example introduction
Hook- A tragic hero is a character who starts off in a high position, but has a major downfall in the end.
Background- In the story Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo demonstrates the qualities and goes through events characteristic of a tragic hero. A great wrestler and highly respected warrior, Okonkwo had it all, and he earned it. His father was an unsuccessful and weak man amongst a society that valued manliness. Okonkwo’s entire life revolved around the fear of being weak like his father. Okonkwo is the example of an ideal Igbo man.
Restate prompt- Okonkwo’s identity as an Igbo person is challenged by personal obstacles and by the introduction of a new culture. Okonkwo’s reaction to the cultural collision deeply shapes the meaning of the story.
Thesis- Okonkwo’s hamartia, the inability to control his fear of looking weak, causes him to deal carelessly with the new culture and results in his suffering and demise.

5. Body Paragraphs Character’s sense of Identity before Western influence
Character’s response to the new culture (cultural collision)
Character’s changed perspective

6. Example Body Paragraph
Okonkwo was well known in the village of Umuofia and beyond. His “fame rested on solid personal achievements…and had grown like a bushfire” (3, 4). Since he had such an unsuccessful father, Okonkwo’s whole life revolved around becoming the total opposite of his father. “His whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” (13). He strived to appear manly and strong in every way. “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand” (13) and expected his family to follow traditional values. Women were to be kept in their place and men were supposed to be strong, like him. This attitude was carried everywhere he went, even with his fellow villagers. “He had no patience for unsuccessful men” (4), such as his father. The patriarchal Igbo society valued men like Okonkwo, and he was proud to have earned his nobility.

7. Example Body Paragraph
Sense of Self: Okonkwo was well known in the village of Umuofia and beyond. His “fame rested on solid personal achievements…and had grown like a bushfire” (3, 4). Since he had such an unsuccessful father, Okonkwo’s whole life revolved around becoming the total opposite of his father. “His whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and weakness” (13). He strived to appear manly and strong in every way. Sense of Family: “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand” (13) and expected his family to follow traditional values. Women were to be kept in their place and men were supposed to be strong, like him. Sense of community: This attitude was carried everywhere he went, even with his fellow villagers. “He had no patience for unsuccessful men” (4), such as his father. The patriarchal Igbo society valued men like Okonkwo, and he was proud to have earned his nobility.

8. Example Conclusion Paragraph
The Conclusion mainly explains how the character connects to themes of the book: Okonkwo’s reaction to the cultural collision draws on the themes of what defines masculinity and the importance of kinship and community. His Igbo culture always represented manliness and strength. He was proud of the well known warriors and strong bond of kinship throughout Umuofia. The strong and united voice is what kept everyone together. Unfortunately, Okonkwo’s overly ideal view of manliness caused him to make terrible choices that resulted in his death. Okonkwo viewed the new culture as feminine and weak, but its influence greatly impacted the tribe. The Western culture slowly and surely unraveled the knot that tied the Igbo together. Okonkwo tried his best to keep the bond together, especially at the last kinship meeting, but it was too late. Once the kinship, community, and unity was lost, so was their culture altogether. Things fell apart.

9. Final Draft Final draft MUST be typed Times New Romans Size 12
Double-Spaced
MLA format (include header and works cited for the text)
Works cited can be on last page, don’t need to start a new page
Works Cited
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, Print.