from “Juno: Not Just Another Teen Movie” The Basics of Writing in connection with By: Ali Heinekamp Freshman submission at wright state university

Thesis: a statement that identifies a topic and main point of a piece of writing and gives readers an idea of what the text will cover. Topic: The subject of the essay [focus] Main Point: What will be developed, defined, defended [the “so what” factor] Things to consider: in short writings, the thesis should be the last sentence in the introduction. It should state, either directly or indirectly, what the remainder of the essay will develop explicitly.

Topic Sentence: states the paragraph’s main point(s) The Topic Sentence will create a direct connection between the content of the body paragraph and the thesis statement. All of the details, pieces of evidence, comments, examples within the paragraph must develop the topic, and [by extension] the thesis statement.

Content of the Body Paragraph(s): Evidence & Analysis Based on the thesis and / or topic, the content of the body paragraph is designed to define, defend, develop the topic and prove or support the main point of the writing. The evidence [direct quotations, statistics, details, etc.] AND analysis / explanation of this evidence [how / why / what about the evidence supports or proves the topic & thesis] are the primary components of the body paragraph(s)

Evidence & Analysis, continued Must be clear and relevant to the development of the thesis and / or topic. Poor evidence equals poor analysis. It is not acceptable to simply provide evidence without clarification / explanation / analysis. It is not acceptable to simply offer evidence and repeat what it says as the analysis

Heinekamp’s Thesis Although the situations Juno’s characters find themselves in and their dialogue may be criticized as unrealistic, the film, written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman, successfully portrays the emotions of a teen being shoved into maturity way too fast. What is the subject of the essay? What will be defined / proven / argued? What else is revealed by the thesis?

Heinekamp’s Topic Sentences Much of the time, Juno seems unrealistic because it seems to treat the impact of teen pregnancy so lightly. Likewise, Juno’s dialogue is too good to be true—funny and clever, but unrealistic. But although the situations and dialogue are unrealistic, the emotional heart of the movie is believable—and moving. The juxtaposition of Juno’s teenage quirks and the adult situation she’s in also reminds us of her youth and vulnerability. While the dialogue is too clever to be realistic, in the end it’s carried by the movie’s heart. There has been much concern among critics that as a pregnant teenage, Juno doesn’t present a good role model for teen girls.

Heinekamp’s Evidence & Explanation Much of the time, Juno seems unrealistic because it seems to treat the impact of teen pregnancy so lightly.

Heinekamp’s Evidence & Explanation Likewise, Juno’s dialogue is too good to be true—funny and clever, but unrealistic.

Heinekamp’s Evidence & Explanation But although the situations and dialogue are unrealistic, the emotional heart of the movie is believable—and moving.

Heinekamp’s Evidence & Explanation The juxtaposition of Juno’s teenage quirks and the adult situation she’s in also reminds us of her youth and vulnerability.

Heinekamp’s Evidence & Explanation While the dialogue is too clever to be realistic, in the end it’s carried by the movie’s heart.

Heinekamp’s Evidence & Explanation There has been much concern among critics that as a pregnant teenage, Juno doesn’t present a good role model for teen girls.

Considering the Rhetorical Situation: 170 Purpose: reason for the evaluation? Informative? Affect an opinion? Audience: What is the audience’s familiarity with the subject? What is reasonable? Stance: your attitude [fair & appropriate] & tone Media/Design: MLA formatted essay

What makes a good topic? Narrow enough that you can write a well-developed essay of 700- 1000 words [3-5 pages]. Broad enough that a minimum of three standards [criteria] can be attached for evaluation and explication.

Criteria: by what standards will you judge the subject? The standards should be clearly stated and defined. You should have a minimum of three criteria to help develop your evaluation. Be sure to have sufficient examples to support the standard Be sure to explain the examples in relation to the standard