1. Critical Analytical Response to Literature
English 20-1

2. Introduction
Start with a general statement about the topic. This could be a quote, a dictionary definition, a statement or an idea.
Add more details about the idea, moving to become more specific to the topic
Transition to text
Thesis statement

3. A thesis statement must be
A thesis statement is the last sentence or two of your introduction paragraph. It contains the focus of your essay and tells your reader what your essay will be about.
A thesis statement must be
strong
defendable
make a statement
clear
concise
related to the topic

4. Thesis Formula
Through the character of (character’s name) in the (text type), (text name), the author (author’s name) suggests that… (answer to the thematic topic).
For example
Topic: What does the text creator(s) suggest about an individual in the midst of conflict?
Through the character of Romeo in the play, “Romeo and Juliet”, playwright William Shakespeare suggests that an individual in the midst of conflict may choose to stand up for what (s)he believes, even if it leaves him or her on the outside of society.

5. Try One Yourself
Think about the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Create a thesis statement for the following topic.
What does the text creator(s) suggest about an individual’s capacity for evil in the face of compelling circumstances?

6. Body Paragraphs
Topic Sentence (state what the paragraph will be about)
S – statement sentence
E – evidence from the text
E – explanation of relevance
and analysis
Concluding Sentence (summarizing argument and transitioning to next argument)
Repeat
2 or 3
times

7. Body Paragraphs Statement of Ideas
The S in your body paragraphs must be a strong statement about the character
Must be defendable
Must be about the character’s traits (not about what the character does, or what happens in the story)
Must be able to be related to the topic

8. Body Paragraphs Evidence from the text
The first E in your body paragraphs must be directly from the text
Must support your statement
Must be accurate
Must be in quotation marks
Must be precise
Must be integrated correctly

9. Body Paragraphs Explanation of Evidence
The second E of your body paragraphs must explain the relevance of your statement and evidence to the topic
Must connect all parts of SEE together
Must be directly connected to statement and topic
Must relate everything back to your thesis statement
Must be clear and concise

10. Conclusion Restate thesis statement in other words
Summarize your three statement arguments
Make a general statement about the topic

11. ESSAY OUTLINE STRUCTURE
Introduction
Initially: Intro Sentence
SEE SEE SEE
Concluding Sentence
However: Intro Sentence
Consequently: Intro Sentence
Conclusion
ESSAY
OUTLINE
STRUCTURE

12. Let’s Create an Outline
As a class, we are going to create an essay outline for the novel Lord of the Flies. Topic: Discuss the idea(s) developed by William Golding in his novel Lord of the Flies about an individual’s capacity for evil in the face of compelling circumstances.

13. **DIFFERENT OUTCOMES PRODUCE DIFFERENT THEMES**
Where do we start?
Understanding the topic:
Circle the thematic topic in your essay question
Define the main words in the thematic topic
Rewrite the topic in your own words
Take point-form notes under the following headings
Character
Conflict
Outcome
Theme
**DIFFERENT OUTCOMES PRODUCE DIFFERENT THEMES**

14. Keep Going…
Ensure that the topic works with the text you want to talk about
Do not try to force a topic on a text
If you write an essay that does not address the topic, or that does a poor job of addressing the topic, you will receive poor marks
It is far better to use a text that works with the topic than to use your favorite text and make it work

15. HOMEWORK
Complete the multiple choice test for Lord of the Flies as found in your learning guide and response booklet.
Complete the initial planning page in your response booklet for the Critical Analytical Essay.