Preparing an Essay

1. Preparing an Essay Because writing is cool.

2. Outline • The purpose of an outline is to organize your thoughts. • You should tailor make your outline to the type of essay your are preparing. • Just remember these simple rules: • Roman numerals indicate topics • Letters indicate examples • Numbers indicate further info about examples

3. Sample Outline –Working thesis: In “The Most Dangerous Game” the mood of suspense is shown through the tropical night, Zaroff’s chateau, and the fight in the bedroom. II. Suspense shown through Zaroff’s chateau A. Darkness surrounding house 1. archetype of darkness pointing to death and evil 2. resembles Dracula’s castle B. House is like a fortress 1. prison references like spiked iron gate2. fortified with cliffs, personified sea

4. Bubbles work, too! working thesis

5. Or how ‘bout this?

6. Assignment • Create an outline using a format that makes sense to you. This does not have to be typed. • Provide your topics and specific examples you intend to use. • This outline is organic: it may change as you begin to write the paper. • This is an initial exercise to organize your thoughts.

7. Funnel Introduction • Purpose • Attract audience to writing • Clarify main idea of your essay • Present author and work discussed • Clarify presentation of ideas • The introduction consists of four “funneled” parts: generalization, introduction to author and work, background information, and thesis statement.

8. Generalization • Address subject of prompt and main idea (main idea is generated from prompt) • Mention concepts you intend to explore in your essay in general – not vague – terms (i.e. Are you exploring price and its devastating effects? Are you addressing how one event can change a person’s perspective?

9. Continued • Do not reference the entirety of history (i.e. Throughout history . . .) • Do not reference literature, authors, or literary devices in general terms (i.e. Authors use symbolism to . . . In literature the main character . . . ) • Usually 2-4 sentences

10. Introduction to A and W • Directly connect to generalization • Present characters, events, or necessary setting • Don’t simply repeat information from generalization – add to it. • Remember the funnel – general to specific. • 1 sentence

11. Background Information • Needed information from work (s) to smoothly move into thesis • This is not a space for unnecessary character traits or plot summary • This is not the space for specific examples from the work (s). • Usually 1-2 sentences

12. Thesis Statement • Must contain the main idea of your essay • This should be a specified main idea from what you discussed in your introduction. • If discussing theme, the theme should remain universal and not work specific. • Must establish your “plan of attack” – what are the topics you will prove your main idea with?

13. Inverse Funnel Conclusion • Purpose • Remind audience of what you set out to prove • Give insight on the topic referencing points made throughout essay. • Leave audience with something to think about without literally asking a question. • The conclusion consists of three parts: loose rewording of thesis without topics, review and insight, final comment on topic.