Checklist

1. Checklist • Consider the tips in this presentation as they pertain to these aspects of your essay: • Thesis • Structure of each individual paragraph • Organization of your supporting paragraphs • Grammar & sentence structure

2. Step One: Check Your Thesis • Does your essay have a thesis with an argument? • Avoid reader response • It makes it more interesting; it makes it exciting for the reader; it helps the plot progrss • Missing an argument? Consider a secondary source—possibly easy to add in! • Or think globally: why is this topic significant? What is the effect on the text? How does it connect to the meaning of the work as a whole?

3. Sample of how to improve a thesis • Thesis: The opening and closing scenes show that the works are different, but these differences show that each work is exciting in their own way. • Edited Thesis: Both closing scenes utilize blood red as a symbol, but to different effect: in Rebecca, the use of blood red emphasizes the archetypal meaning of red as violent passion, while in “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the use of red emphasizes the archetypal meaning of disorder. • NOTE: This thesis selects a more specific aspect of the opening and closing scene (blood red) and it contrasts how this aspect functions in each work (violent passion vs. disorder).

4. Consider using a Secondary Source Do you agree or disagree with this statement in terms of the two works that you are focusing on: • “In contemporary Female Gothic, however, psychological transformation is often described as developmental, and the hardships heroines have to bear finally enable them to achieve a higher level of personal autonomy” (Szalay). • Fleenor explores how the "central conflict [in Gothic texts] is with the mother and not with the husband/lover/father" (Szalay ). Form your thesis as a response to these secondary sources; you may agree with the entire statement or part of the statement. Look on JSTOR (through the library database) for credible sources. Example Thesis : Szalay’s point holds true for Rebecca where the narrator's conflict is with Mrs. Van Hooper, but it does not hold true for the “Fall of the House of Usher.” Example Thesis: Both Rebecca and Jane Eyre demonstrate Szalay’s ideas regarding psychological transformation as leading to higher levels of personal autonomy.

5. Edit: Structure & Organization of each Paragraph • Select one of your supporting paragraphs and go through the following steps to ensure that your argument is structured and supported. • Check your topic sentence. Put a box around your keyword (the overarching idea of the essay—pride, jealousy, self-esteem, beauty, romanticism, etc) and underline the argument you are making about this keyword. Next, find the transition into your first quote. Generally, you should have a separate topic sentence and transition into your first quote. Again, box your keyword and underline the argument you are making about this specific quote (how does this quote prove a point about your essay). • Check that you have used a colon. • Check that your quote is correctly formatted. • Long quotes are indented without quotation marks—period before citation • Short quotes are presented in text with quotation marks—period after citation • Try to avoid quotes longer than 6 lines unless absolutely necessary • Next, ensure that you have 4 points of analysis for each quote. • Repeat as necessary. • Check your conclusion: does it use your keyword? Does it address the argument for the paragraph? Does it connect back to your thesis?

6. Step Two: Check the Supporting Paragraphs • Check each supporting paragraphs for organization of ideas • Remember I should be able to read each topic sentence and know the argument for your paragraph. • I should be able to read your analysis and know what quote you are discussing without ever reading the quote. • Please go through the steps listed on the next slide for each paragraph

7. Step Three: Organization of Paragraphs • Next, consider if the order and arrangements of the paragraphs make sense. • How did you organize your paper? (A, B, A, B; AB, AB, AB; another way? • Does the organization of your paper help support your thesis? Would another organization help emphasize your argument?

8. Step Four: Edit your essay • Check to see that you have variety in terms of sentence structure; use at least one dash, semi-colon, and colon in each paragraph • Check that you use active verbs • Check that you start sentences in a variety of ways in the paper

9. Edit: Grammar • Check for the following grammatical errors: • avoid fragments, run-ons, and comma splices • Check for correct comma usage • Use a variety of punctuation correctly (colon, semi-colon, dash) • Check that plurals and possessives are correct • Check for correct pronoun usage • Check for subject/verb agreement • Use active verb tense • Check capitalization • Check spelling

10. How to use the semi-colon • Joins together two sentences that relate in terms of subject matter • I went shopping this weekend; the new dress I bought is very pretty.

11. How to use the dash • Use in place of a comma clause • Antonio uses nautical images—mast, ship, waves, sinking—to describe his melancholy behavior.

12. Need Assistance? • Please come in for one or more writing conferences! • I am here at lunch every day this week • I am after school this week Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. • I am available periods 1, 4, & 7