Literary Essay 3



_The

_Literary

_{Essay is an insightful, critical}

interpretation of a literary work.



_{It is not a summary of plot, character or other}



_…you

_provide

_{your own}

_{formal interpretation}

and/or opinion of the topic



_{…you use the literary work to prove or}



_{…try to prove the plot – we know how the}

series of events unfolded because we read

the book



_{…provide an}

_{interpretation}

_{of the plot,}

setting, character, conflict, and themes as

they relate to the topic you are discussing



_{…develop elements that will prove your}



_{…allows you, the writer, to provide your own}

understanding of the literary work in a

properly structured format.



_{…clearly introduces the topic, the literary}

work, and the author.

 _Example:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee presents prejudice and discrimination of black people.



_{The introduction allows you to give the reader}

 _{…states the main purpose of the essay}

 _{…is often stated in the LAST sentence of}

your introduction

 _{…answers the question:}



_{…is divided into paragraphs}



_{…is composed of paragraphs which}

begin

with a

topic sentence

that

clearly introduces the topic in the

paragraph and end with linking

 _{…serves to PROVE your thesis}

NOTE:

 _{In order to prove your thesis, you must develop and}

expand on the topic using examples and citations (quotes) from the literary work to substantiate your statements

 _{Once a quote is cited, you must provide an}

 _{…is where you develop your ideas about the topic}

 _{…is where you provide your own ideas by}

answering the following questions:

1. What is the topic? How is the topic relevant? 2. How does the topic relate to the literary work?

4. What is my understanding of the topic and the literary work?

5. How does the setting affect the development of the topic?

6. How do the characters assist in the development of the topic?

Use the questions only as a

GUIDE.

The first sentence of the conclusion is a

restatement of your

THESIS.

Do not introduce any new information in the

conclusion.

Restate

your

most important points

as a means

of bringing your argument to a close.

Introduction : Paragraph One

1st _{sentence: General overview of the} topic

2nd _{& 3}rd _{sentences: Introduction of the author} and the literary work

Additional sentences: Description and/or development of the

literary work as it pertains the topic. It’s where you introduce your argument.

Paragraph 2 – Development of first argument

Topic Sentence: Introduces only the argument in this paragraph.

Development consists of

ideas which support the topic sentence and thesis

 _{Choose 1 – 2 quotes from the literary work which will}

develop/support this topic and establish a connection to topic/thesis

 _{A linking sentence will reinforce what was stated in this}

Paragraph 3 – Development of second argument



_{Restates the thesis}



_{Summarizes the main points of your}

argument from each paragraph

HOW IT LOOKS

INTRODUCTION

BODY

CONCLUSION

ARGUMENT 1

ARGUMENT 2

 _{Quotes of four lines or less can be included in the}

body of your essay using quotation marks

Example:

“He stood there until nightfall, and I waited for him. When we went in the house I saw he had been crying; his

For citations that are MORE than 4 lines long,

centre and single space the quote as shown

below:

For reasons unfathomable to the most experienced

prophets in Maycomb County,

autumn turned to winter that year. We had two weeks of the coldest weather since 1885 (Lee 63)

Alfredo, B. Critical Interpretations of To Kill A Mockingbird. New York: Routledge, 1999.

Lee, H. To Kill A Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Warner Books, 1960.

Use MLA format.

 _{Do not make a title page for your paper unless}

specifically requested.

 _{In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list}

your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Be sure to use double-spaced text.

 _{Double space again and center the title. Don't}

underline your title or put it in quotation marks.

 _{Double space between the title and the first line of}

Ensure you have completed the following before you submit your essay for assessment to your teacher:

1. Double spaced your essay

2. Microsoft Sans Serif , Verdana or Calibri, font size 12

3. MLA format throughout

4. Labeled each page, including page 1, with your last

5. Included a Works Consulted page

6. Cited the literary work in the works cited page and

referenced it properly throughout

7. Have introduction, body paragraphs, and

conclusion

9.

Edited for spelling and language errors (be

careful of “typos”)

10.

Stapled the essay in the correct order

11.

Spelled the teacher’s name correctly

12.

Indented each new paragraph 5 spaces to show

its beginning