The 5 Paragraph Literary Essay

1. The 5 Paragraph Literary Essay ENG 1D1 - Speak

2. What is the purpose of a Literary Essay? • The purpose of an essay is to show the reader that you (the writer) can think critically and argue something about the text. In order to make a logical argument, you must come up with points to prove it. Each point must have direct examples from the novel. Your job is to explain why these examples prove your point and argument.

3. The 5 Paragraph Literary Essay: • Introduction • Body Paragraph 1 • Body Paragraph 2 • Body Paragraph 3 • Conclusion

4. Literary Essay: Introduction • The purpose of the introduction is to present your topic to your readers and then come to the point (your thesis). An introduction begins with a general statement concerning your topic and, with each succeeding sentence, focuses in on the thesis. • Introductions start very broad and gradually get more specific throughout the paragraph. • The structure of an introductory paragraph can be conceptualized as an inverted triangle. General Statement Thesis Statement

5. Literary Essay: Introduction • The first 1-2 sentences, of your introduction should introduce the topic you’re writing about. A broad, general observation about human experience that relates to the novel and the opinions your paper will express. • The next sentence should formally introduce the novel and the author, and you should declare the position of your argument: “In Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel, Speak, …” or “In the novel, Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson…” • The next 2-3 sentences should elaborate on your position with more background from the novel and introduce specific characters, themes or ideas that you will be focusing on in your paper. • The last sentence of your introduction should be your thesis

6. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement** Before Writing** • Before writing a thesis statement, the writer must be aware of his or her audience and purpose. Unclear thesis statements come from writers who really aren’t sure what they’re writing about. • You must form an opinion, based on your topic, and state it clearly. Do not be wishy-washy. • Be sure you have approached your evidence fairly, without bias. • Once you've established a clear position, based on your topic, and objectivity, you're ready to write a thesis statement.

7. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement** What is it?** • Presents your opinions or thoughts on a subject or an issue. You cannot write an essay without one. • Must contain a subject + an opinion (though it may not be your own personal opinion, it is the opinion that you can argue that best). • Answers the topic question. • TIP: A thesis statement should never contain the following: in my opinion, I think, I believe, etc.

8. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement** The Formula** GENERAL TOPICNARROW & NARROWED POINT(S) SPECIFIC FURTHERyour opinion your feeling (some aspect of or features of the topic) the topic TEENAGERS teenagers in teenagers in need Secondary School Secondary intervention, School who take counseling, drugs peer mediation Thesis: Teenage students in secondary school who take drugs need intervention, counseling and peer mediation in order to break their habit.

9. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement** The Formula** A specific subject (narrow topic) + the features you want to discuss = an effective thesis statement

10. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement** The Formula** Idea:    Going to Disneyland Feeling:  Dislike Sentence:  Disneyland is the worst theme park to visit. Support: 1- Disneyland is expensive (admission is more than $30, food/ drink is $$, souvenirs are $$) 2- waiting in long lines (to get tickets, to get on rides, to buy food/ drinks) 3- terrible food and drinks (very few choices, food is stale, drinks are tasteless) Thesis: Disneyland is expensive, has long lines and terrible food and drinks, making it the worst theme park to visit.

11. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement**Is My Thesis Good Enough?** • A good thesis statement is a declarative sentence with no qualifiers (might, maybe, perhaps, etc.): • Good example: Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league's most valuable player. • Bad example: Does Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league's most valuable player? • Bad example:Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league's most valuable player.

12. Literary Essay: Thesis Statement**Is My Thesis Good Enough?** • Have you answered the question or merely restated it? The following examples are based on this question: Does Romeo’s prior feelings for Rosaline diminish the credibility of his love for Juliet? • Good example: Romeo's prior feelings for Rosaline diminish the credibility of his love for Juliet. • Bad example: This essay examines whether or not Romeo's prior feelings for Rosaline diminishes his love for Juliet. • Have you tried to argue both sides of the case? It is important to acknowledge the other side and address the other position. That does not, however, excuse you from choosing a side. • Good example: Juliet was not the first woman to capture Romeo's fancy; she was, however, the one who affected him the most. • Bad example: Romeo loved Juliet with all his heart, but he loved Rosaline too; It could be argued they were both his favorite. • Have you prejudged the issue by using loaded language? Immature writers manipulate readers through emotionally-charged language. • Bad example: Immature, whiny, male-pig Romeo, a male harlot, ruined precious Juliet whom he loved no more than Rosaline.

13. Literary Essay: Body Paragraphs • Start your body paragraph with a topic sentence that loosely declares what you’ll be arguing within that paragraph. State your point with a broad, general observation about the novel and its content. • Next, specifically state the first point of your argument using language that directly relates to your thesis. (POINT) • Establish the context of your proof and then state your quotation. (PROOF) x2 • Analyze the quote and declare what it proves/ shows/ demonstrates to your reader – explain why this is important to your reader. Why does it matter to your paper overall? (EXPLANATION) x2 • End with a transition sentence that concludes the current body paragraph, but leads into the topic of the next body paragraph. Topic Sentence Point -Proof 1 -Explanation 1 -Proof 2 -Explanation 2 Transition Sentence 3

14. Literary Essay: Conclusion • Conclusions wrap up what you have been discussing/ analyzing in your essay. • The first sentence of your conclusion will restate your thesis • The next sentence will restate your first point. The sentence after that will restate your second point and the following sentence will restate your third point. • Your final sentence(s) should move to a broader, general statement about your topic similar to the very first sentence of your introduction • Remember that your conclusion is a summary of everything you have already discussed. Do NOT bring in any new information into your conclusion. Re-state thesis Re-state 3 main points General Statement

15. Literary Essay: Remember • Do not write in the first person or second person (no “I”, “We”, “You”, “Our”, “Your”) • Write consistently in the present tense • Avoid contractions (can’t, shouldn’t) • Remember to constantly refer back to what you are trying to prove (thesis)

16. Literary Essay: Points To Remember • Use active voice not passive voice • Active voice is used in a clause whose subject expresses the agent of the main verb. That is, the subject does the action designated by the verb • Active voice: Melinda found the burrow. • Passive voice: The burrow was found by Melinda. • Avoid plot summary – I have read the book, so only give context to your quotes so they make sense – do not re-tell the whole novel • Use sophisticated language • Be mindful of homonyms (their, there, knew, new) • Use transitional words (however, in addition to, furthermore – see handout)