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THE LITERARY ESSAY

THE LITERARY ESSAY. THE THESIS STATEMENT. YOU CAN DO IT! . CHARACTERISTICS . An arguable statement (generally one statement for shorter essays) Answers “so what?” Think of the thesis as the “result” or “conclusion” of the essay

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THE LITERARY ESSAY

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  1. THE LITERARY ESSAY

  2. THE THESIS STATEMENT YOU CAN DO IT!

  3. CHARACTERISTICS An arguable statement (generally one statement for shorter essays) Answers “so what?” Think of the thesis as the “result” or “conclusion” of the essay Ends the introduction (last sentence – do not bold your thesis statement) Clearly worded (not to imply ‘simplistic’) Creates the organizational pattern for the essay

  4. SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS • The thesis may focus on an analysis of one or more of the elements of fiction as expressed in the work: character, structure, theme, symbol, style, imagery, tone, etc. EXAMPLE: • The works of love poets Rumi, Hafiz, and Kabir use symbols such as a lover’s longing and the Tavern of Ruin to illustrate the human soul’s desire to connect with God.

  5. SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS • The thesis may focus on illustrating how a work reflects the particular genre’s forms, or the ideas of a particular school of thought (i.e. Feminism, Marxism, Freudian, Post-Colonialism, Jungian…). EXAMPLE: • In “The Story of an Hour,” Chopin reveals how language, institutions, and expected demeanor suppress the natural desires and aspirations of women.

  6. ANSWER “SO WHAT?” • In “The Masque of the Red Death,” Poe uses the symbolism of the stranger, the clock, and the seventh room to develop the theme of death. • In Awakening, Chopin uses water to symbolize Edna’s burgeoning independence and, ultimately, her refusal to succumb to society’s expectations. • In Awakening, Chopin uses the recurring symbol of water. (So what? See the difference?)

  7. AVOID Retelling plot (“back of the book” trap) or writing a book review (these statements do not answer “so what?” EXAMPLES: Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a fascinating look at the endurance of the human spirit. In To Kill a Mockingbird, moral courage is illustrated through several characters. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee reveals a very racist society. In To Kill a Mockingbird, many characters are figuratively imprisoned. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how Jem loses his innocence and matures into a cynical adolescent.

  8. OTHER REMINDERS • Avoid the use of personal pronouns (I, you, we, us…) • Avoid the use of contractions (can’t, wouldn’t…) • Use present tense wherever possible • Use the active voice • You do not need to restate the title of the book in the thesis; use author’s last name only

  9. TOPIC SENTENCES Aim for 3 arguments Write your topic statements in a similar way as your thesis statement Think of them as the “result” or “conclusion” of each paragraph (or section) Use transitional words and phrases between body paragraphs (sections) to provide flow and connection. Follow the organizational pattern set out in your thesis statement in the body of the essay.

  10. EXAMPLE In “The Masque of the Red Death,” Poe uses the symbolism of the stranger, the clock, and the seventh room to develop the theme of death. TS #1: Symbolism of the stranger + how it develops the theme of death TS #2: The symbolism of the clock further develops the theme of death. TS #3: Symbolism of the seventh room + how it develops the theme of death

  11. FYI Three arguments does not necessarily = 3 body paragraphs. You may need more than one body paragraph to fully explore one topic sentence. In fact, I strongly encourage you to consider your paragraphing. A paragraph = one unit of thought

  12. LEVEL 4 Thoughtful, arguable, well-written thesis statement that answers “so what?” Thoughtful, arguable, well-written topic statements that connect to thesis Transitions move beyond mechanical “First, Secondly, Finally, Lastly…” Essay successfully breaks free from 5-paragraph form

  13. YOUR TURN On a new piece of paper, revise your thesis statement and topic sentences. Ask for feedback! Try to share with 2-3 of your peers. (Editors: constructive criticism please!)

  14. THE INTRODUCTION JUST FOLLOW THE FORMULA!

  15. The Formula Hook (Go fishing and reel in your reader!) - Thought-provoking statement - Quotation However you begin, you should pique your reader’s interest and connect to overall argument/topic Introduce text under discussion (italicize title, introduce author by using full name – subsequent references only use author’s last name) Plot information – only information that is necessary for your thesis/topic. Thesis statement

  16. LEVEL 4 Follows the “formula” of an introduction Hook is thoughtful and relates to essay; if quotation is used, quotation is from a credible source Hook is woven into the subsequent sentences to show connection/purpose of the hook Plot information is necessary for the thesis but does not venture into retelling of the book Highly effective grammar, spelling, punctuation and use of formal, academic language Thesis ends the introduction

  17. YOUR TURN Submit a PRINTED, typed, double-spaced introduction on Thursday Write your revised topic statements below Format your page using proper MLA style Use TNR, 12 pt. font

  18. INTRO EDIT Underline your thesis Pass your intro to the person in front of you (skip anyone who came to class without an intro – tsk tsk!) Read the thesis. THEN read the intro. LOOK FOR: MLA formatting; TNR 12 pt. font; double spaced Is the intro indented? Is there a hook? Did it “hook” you?? Is the hook used/referred to in the subsequent sentence(s)? After the hook, is the title of the text and author’s full name given? Is the title italicized? Is it correct? Is sufficient (but not overwhelming) plot information given? Does the plot information help the thesis? Is the thesis an argument? Does it answer “so what”? Is it the last sentence of the intro? Grammar, spelling, punctuation, formal language Flow, clarity (check for awkward constructions, wordiness)

  19. THE OUTLINE YOU GOTTA HAVE A PLAN!

  20. YOUR TASK For each topic sentence, find a number of purposeful quotations (include page references) that will support your argument. More is better during this stage. Ensure quotations are accurate! Generally speaking: 2-3 direct quotations per paragraph You may paraphrase (indirect textual reference) but you should never rely on this method alone. Your paraphrase still requires a page reference. Try to avoid long (block) quotations in a short essay – they are generally not needed and you could be in danger of over quoting (you should not include long quotations in your page requirement). Long quotations = 4+ lines of your typed text. NOTE: Block quotations are formatted differently than regular quotations.

  21. THE BODY PARAGRAPH Time to prove your point!

  22. The Formula Each body paragraph (or “section”) needs to begin with a clear, arguable topic sentence. Point Proof (textual evidence/support) Discuss (this is not a rephrasing of the proof. Consider: why is your point/proof important? How does your point/proof relate/connect to your thesis?) Example: Mayella and her red geraniums Wrap up/reaffirm ts& thesis Do not use the phrase “In conclusion” in a body paragraph (in fact, don’t use this anywhere in your essay). After a quotation avoid “What this is saying is that…” (or something similar) Transitioning should happen at the beginning of the next body paragraph (in the TS) Quotations must be integrated and use MLA format See the OWL Purdue link on our ClassNet page for any MLA questions

  23. Quick Check-In HOW’S THE ESSAY GOING? ANY QUESTIONS

  24. CONCLUSIONS TIME TO WRAP UP!

  25. Writing the Conclusion Consider the conclusion like the introduction – but in reverse Begin by restating your thesis in a new way Remind the reader of your main arguments used to prove your thesis End with “food for thought” – it is highly recommended you close by return - - look back to your hook and weave that in to your final statement(s) to create a circular effect Minimum 4 sentences for a short essay

  26. Work(s) Cited Usually its own page Do not rewrite identity tag, but should have header with last name, page # Work Cited is centered at top of page (appears just as title of essay – no underline, no bold, 12 pt font) See Owl website for how to properly cite text https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/12/ Fyi: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/13/

  27. THE RUBRIC HOW WILL THE ESSAY BE EVALUATED?

  28. TURNITIN Each essay MUST be uploaded to Turnitin on the date I receive the paper copy (choices: this Thursday OR next Tuesday) Turnitin Information is on ClassNet Turnitin is important to ensure your ideas are your own; therefore, no essay will be evaluated until this step is completed.

  29. Plagiarism Plagiarism is an academic offence It includes taking ideas from another source (i.e. website) and ‘tweaking’ them to use them as your own, but not citing them as someone else’s ideas It also includes directly copying and pasting ideas from another source (i.e. website) and claiming them as your own by not not citing them as someone else’s ideas It also includes resubmitting a paper you have already submitted for another class, or resubmitting another student’s paper as your own No matter the case – plagiarism is WRONG and has serious consequences.

  30. Consequences Summative work = rewrite on a new topic during lunch in 229 with NO ACCESS to a computer Culminating Work (i.e. ISU) = zero

  31. What Should You Do? ALWAYS ask if you fear you may have used others’ ideas in your work Cite ideas that are not your own and include this in your Works Cited Stay away from the Internet, etc during the writing of any paper – unless you have been asked specifically to include secondary sources that are correctly cited in your paper

  32. Next Steps Bring a typed, double-spaced, MLA-formatted PRINTED rough draft to class tomorrow for our editing session Those who want to submit the essay on Thursday should have most of the essay completed Those who want to submit the essay on Tuesday I recommended a minimum of intro + 2 arguments Remember: the more you bring to class, the more feedback you will get, the better the final product will be!

  33. Quick Grammar Review Semicolon: joins two, complete, related sentences (consider it similar to a period – just more ‘jazzy’!) Example: I went to the store; I bought ice cream. Comma: - Separates items in a list Example: I will buy apples, oranges, and bananas. - Separates a dependent clause from an independent clause Examples: Therefore, she didn’t go. OR If I go the party, I will never get my English essay finished on time! - Sets off nonessential information Example: Ice cream, which is super delicious, is my favourite dessert.

  34. Remember Use square brackets if you change anything in a direct quotation. Example: Scout says, “you [won’t] go” (54). Period goes after the closing bracket (see above). Place commas, periods inside quotation marks if no citation is used. Example: Scout says, “Be quiet.” Jem responds, “No” (34). If you have a series of references from the same page, you do not need to keep repeating citation (see above).

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