THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY Writing on Old Man and the Sea 1

To analyze some aspect of a novel, play, etc. To state a thesis – a strong, clear claim about some aspect of the story. To support that thesis with examples and direct quotations. To present your analysis in a logical order. Features of Literary Analysis Essays GOALS 2

1. Prewriting -- brainstorming 2. Drafting – organizing your thoughts 3. Revising 4. Editing and Proofreading 5. Writing Your Final Essay Process of Writing an Essay PROCESS 3

1. Introduction – states a thesis 2. Body paragraph one – support 1 3. Body paragraph two – support 2 4. Body paragraph three – support 3 5. Conclusion Composing the 5-paragraph essay COMPOSITION 4

Diagram of the 5-paragraph essay COMPOSITION 5

Your introduction should include the author’s full name and the title of the story, novel, play, etc. Short story titles should be in quotations marks. Titles of novels and plays get underlined instead. Examples: In Ernest Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea… Old Man and the Sea, one of Ernest Hemingway’s most enduring novels… Include Title and Author INTRODUCTION 6

Your introduction paragraph should give enough background about the story so that the reader understands the context for your thesis. Example: Since your thesis will pertain to the concept of Hemingway’s “code hero” you will want to introduce the Old Man as well as the concept of the “code hero.” Give Some Background on Story INTRODUCTION 7

A strong thesis statement has several basic features: It focuses on a single main point about a topic. It is neither too broad nor too narrow. It is specific. It is something you can show, explain, or prove by evidence from the text. It is a forceful statement written in confident, firm language. Make a Strong, Clear Claim THESIS 8

A thesis statement is not: A simple statement of fact A summary of part of the plot An evaluation of the story (good, bad, etc.) An unsupportable opinion YOU MUST MAKE A CLAIM THAT IS DEBATABLE! What a Thesis Statement Is Not THESIS 9

Your THESIS should: be stated in a single sentence include a “method of development” (MOD) be the final sentence in your first paragraph For this assignment, I am giving you a thesis: “In Santiago, the central character of The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway has created a hero who personifies honor, courage, and perseverance.” Make a Strong, Clear Claim THESIS 10

Each support paragraph: illustrates, explains, or proves your main claim – the thesis. contains and details a particular point that relates to the main claim. includes a topic sentence that supports the thesis statement. Provides examples and quotations from the text. Supporting Your Claim SUPPORTS 11

I. Santiago is honorable 1. Example 1 2. Example 2 3. Example 3 I. Santiago is courageous II. Santiago displays perseverance (endurance) Supporting Your Claim SUPPORTS 12

This is an excellent way to illustrate your major supports. Get in the habit of using at least one important quotation in each body paragraph. Example: Romeo describes the emotional pain of love: “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, / Too rude, too bois’trous and it pricks like thorn” ( ). Beware: Do not use extensive quotations – keep to short ones. Use Quotations from the Story QUOTATIONS 13

Don’t just restate your thesis. An effective conclusion: reminds readers of the main point summarizes and reinforces the support paragraphs provides an insight beyond restating the thesis Add Some Insight to the Conclusion CONCLUSION 14

HOW YOU EXPRESS YOUR IDEAS STYLE Style concerns the artful expression of your ideas. Ask yourself: How can I best introduce and develop my topic so that it will interest my readers? 15

Avoid using the first person “I” and “we,” “me” and “us”. Avoid: We can clearly see that Santiago is acting courageously. Improved: Santiago is acting courageously. Always Write in the Third Person 3RD PERSON 16

Avoid saying, “I feel…” or “I believe…” or “I think…” Just state what you believe in strong, clear language. Avoid: I believe that Hemingway uses Manolin as a foil to Santiago. Improved: Hemingway uses Manolin as a foil to Santiago. Always Write in the Third Person 3RD PERSON 17

Avoid the use of second person “you”. Stay in the third person. Avoid: This would lead you to believe Santiago is a courageous as he is honorable. Improved: This incident shows that Santiago is a courageous as he is honorable. Always Write in the Third Person 3RD PERSON 18

…when giving background about the story. Avoid writing, “This story is about…” or “My essay will show....” Just relate what you have to say about the story in strong, clear language. Avoid: Old Man and the Sea is a story about an old man who fight a 1,000-pound marlin on the open sea. Improved: In Old Man and the Sea, an old man struggles with a 1,000- pound marlin on the open sea. Just State the Facts LANGUAGE 19

…and avoid using colloquial or slang expressions. Avoid: “Santiago has a little problem. How do I put this lightly? He’s not as strong as he used to be.” Avoid: Something is seriously wrong here. Let me clear it up for you. Use Formal Language LANGUAGE 20

Use the literary present tense when writing of events in the story – not past tense. Avoid: After Santiago killed the dolphin, he swore he would never again leave port without salt. Correct: After Santiago kills the dolphin, he swears he will never again leave port without salt. Use the Present Tense TENSE 21

Again, this is an excellent way to illustrate your major supports. But do not ever use the word “quotation” to introduce a quote. Example: Romeo describes the emotional pain of love: “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, / Too rude, too bois’trous and it pricks like thorn” ( ). Beware: Do not write out a quotation and then write: “This quote is saying that…” Use Quotations from the Story QUOTATIONS 22

When you are writing an analytical paper, you should never “editorialize.” In other words you should not make judgments, give advice, or offer opinions. Keep to ANALYSIS and EXPLANATION. Avoid: It’s funny how the sharks give Santiago such a hard time… Avoid: Why does the only pretty girl in the story have to die? Avoid: Something is seriously wrong here… Avoid Editorializing ANALYSIS 23

FORMAT 24

John Q. Student English 1 – B1 Mr. Rose November 14, 2011 Your Title Goes Here Use a proper heading HEADING 25

Your heading should be single-spaced But the essay itself should always be double-spaced. Remember to Double-Space FORMAT 26

The title of your essay should:  Reflect the content of your essay  Include the name (or author) of the text  Centered (rather than aligned left) The title of your essay should NOT: Be underlined or have quotation marks Except for those words that are in the title of a book or story. Always Give Your Essay a Title TITLE 27

Examples: Old Man and the Sea: Tale of a Hero Hemingway’s Code Hero in Old Man and the Sea Always Give Your Essay a Title TITLE 28

Assignment: Old Man essay Underline your thesis statement State your thesis in a single sentence. Your thesis should include a “method of development.” Your introduction should give some background of the story. You must have three major supports – three body paragraphs. You must have a conclusion that does more than restate the thesis. You must include at least one quotation in each body paragraph. You must properly format your essay. You must give your essay a title that reflects the essay. You must use third person and present tense. Essay must be printed out and ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period. 29