1. An effective introduction All you need is a beginning statement that launches the topic, a few elaborative statements to amplify the topic, and a powerful, theme-based thesis statement.

2. An effective introduction Being part of a family is common to the human experience. Being part of a family is common to the human experience. Starting the introduction can be accomplished a number of ways: a general statement, a quote, a statistic (rare in literary analysis), an observation. Then there should be a few sentences that build off the general idea (thematic topic) asserted in the first sentence. These sentences elaborate on the topic, and foreshadow some of what will be specifically discussed in the rest of the paper, to help the reader’s brain forecast the paper’s content for better clarity.

3. An effective introduction Being part of a family is common to the human experience. However, not all families are alike, nor are they created equally. Some individuals struggle to rise above the decisions and reputations of their relatives, just as others are nurtured, sheltered, and prepared for life by loving parents and siblings. Just the word “family” can give rise to a full range of emotions, from shame to pride, obligation to gratitude. Being part of a family is common to the human experience. However, not all families are alike, nor are they created equally. Some individuals struggle to rise above the decisions and reputations of their relatives, just as others are nurtured, sheltered, and prepared for life by loving parents and siblings. Just the word “family” can give rise to a full range of emotions, from shame to pride, obligation to gratitude.

4. An effective introduction Being part of a family is common to the human experience. However, not all families are alike, nor are they created equally. Some individuals struggle to rise above the decisions and reputations of their relatives, just as others are nurtured, sheltered, and prepared for life by loving parents and siblings. Just the word “family” can give rise to a full range of emotions, from shame to pride, obligation to gratitude. In life, as in literature, the emotional connection derived from family relationships is undoubtedly significant to the formation of an individual’s personality and esteem.

5. An effective introduction Being part of a family is common to the human experience. However, not all families are alike, nor are they created equally. Some individuals struggle to rise above the decisions and reputations of their relatives, just as others are nurtured, sheltered, and prepared for life by loving parents and siblings. Just the word “family” can give rise to a full range of emotions, from shame to pride, obligation to gratitude. The world of literature reflects the truth of how familial relationships influence and shape both character and identity in the lives of individual family members. Being part of a family is common to the human experience. However, not all families are alike, nor are they created equally. Some individuals struggle to rise above the decisions and reputations of their relatives, just as others are nurtured, sheltered, and prepared for life by loving parents and siblings. Just the word “family” can give rise to a full range of emotions, from shame to pride, obligation to gratitude. The world of literature reflects the truth of how familial relationships influence and shape both character and identity in the lives of individual family members.

6. About those Body Paragraphs  Major Works: 4-5 paragraphs No mini-introductions, just a sentence (or maybe two) of transition—Example: “Few literary works emphasize the influence of family greater than the Classical tragedy of Oedipus Rex.” Example 2 : “Oedipus faced the truth of his family, allowing him to face the uncomfortable truth of his identity; equally discomforting for Hamlet, the truths of his gave rise to more questions than answers—questions regarding life, death, and the meaning of his existence. No mini-introductions, just a sentence (or maybe two) of transition—Example: “Few literary works emphasize the influence of family greater than the Classical tragedy of Oedipus Rex.” Example 2 : “Oedipus faced the truth of his family, allowing him to face the uncomfortable truth of his identity; equally discomforting for Hamlet, the truths of his gave rise to more questions than answers—questions regarding life, death, and the meaning of his existence. Not sure where to get ideas of what to talk about? Consider the prompt and how all aspects of the work contribute to it—how do the characters, setting, point of view, and plot reflect the theme that you are investigating. Not sure where to get ideas of what to talk about? Consider the prompt and how all aspects of the work contribute to it—how do the characters, setting, point of view, and plot reflect the theme that you are investigating.  Minor Works: 2-3 paragraphs

7. Choices  Your paper must include a well-developed introduction that ends with a thematic thesis statement, as well as a solid concluding paragraph. Between those two paragraphs, you must discuss 6 works that compose the paper’s BODY—for major works, write 4-5 paragraphs, and for minor works, write 2-3 paragraphs; Body paragraphs should deal with various aspects of the book’s content. You may choose from the following considerations: character, setting, point of view, conflict, diction, use of detail, imagery, language, and syntax; Body paragraphs should deal with various aspects of the book’s content. You may choose from the following considerations: character, setting, point of view, conflict, diction, use of detail, imagery, language, and syntax;  For each body paragraph, discuss the element/device incorporating at least THREE examples from the text. Use this formula to guarantee that you are truly discussing analytically (not telling the story!): Make an introductory statement (topic sentence) Make an introductory statement (topic sentence) Make your first observation (statement of fact, example, detail) Make your first observation (statement of fact, example, detail) Then write a sentence of commentary that explains the significance of the observation in terms of your thesis Then write a sentence of commentary that explains the significance of the observation in terms of your thesis Make a second observation Make a second observation Write a commentary statement for the second observation Write a commentary statement for the second observation Make a third observation Make a third observation Write a commentary statement for the third observation Write a commentary statement for the third observation Write a final commentary statement that considers the three observations in direct relation to the thematic thesis statement of the paper. Write a final commentary statement that considers the three observations in direct relation to the thematic thesis statement of the paper.

8. Body Paragraph Example (topic sentence) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fascination with the Roaring Twenties was obvious, as he receives credit for naming that era the “Jazz Age.” (observation) A period of decadence and opulence, it provided the perfect backdrop to Jay Gatsby’s tragedy. (commentary) Gatsby’s failure to consider the future as he obsessively endeavored to cross paths with his beloved Daisy matches the general mood of the time, where many people reveled in abundance without concern for the future. (observation) Narrator Nick Carraway comments that the conduct of Gatsby’s party guests was both wasteful and messy: “they conducted themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park” (41). (commentary) In this manner, Gatsby’s extravagant, continual parties at his ostentatious mansion in West Egg, where new money attempted to brush up against the generational wealth of East Egg, indicate carelessness and excess that afforded opportunities for people to indulge their more base desires. (observation) Yet, nothing lasts forever, and consumption leads to waste, clearly made evident through the Valley of Ashes. (commentary) As a particularly important aspect of the novel’s setting, it is a physical manifestation of wastefulness in that time, and mirrors how Gatsby wasted much of his life attempting to resurrect a love affair that had long since expired. (final commentary related back to the thematic thesis) Throughout the novel, the decadence, carelessness, and wastefulness of the 1920s surround and amplify how Gatsby’s obsession leads to his ruin.

9. An Effective Conclusion Re-word and re-state your thesis, then add a sentence for each work discussed—showing how the common theme unfolds in that particular work, then finish with a generalized statement that applies the theme to life, the world, or people today.

10. An effective Conclusion—easier than the Introduction! In life, as in literature, the influence of family is undeniable.

11. An Effective Conclusion In life, as in literature, the influence of family is undeniable. Families can be the source of grief and even insanity, as in Hamlet. In Crime and Punishment, thoughts of his mother and sister moved him to such passionate anger that he was able to commit two murders—a true testament to a family’s emotional bond. A family’s multi-generational effort to outsmart fate destroyed Oedipus’ entire family. Where Sophocles depicted the destructive nature of family, Alice Walker reveals how family bonds can heal through love in The Color Purple. In life, as in literature, the influence of family is undeniable. Families can be the source of grief and even insanity, as in Hamlet. In Crime and Punishment, thoughts of his mother and sister moved him to such passionate anger that he was able to commit two murders—a true testament to a family’s emotional bond. A family’s multi-generational effort to outsmart fate destroyed Oedipus’ entire family. Where Sophocles depicted the destructive nature of family, Alice Walker reveals how family bonds can heal through love in The Color Purple.

12. An Effective Conclusion In life, as in literature, the influence of family is undeniable. Families can be the source of grief and even insanity, as in Hamlet. In Crime and Punishment, thoughts of his mother and sister moved him to such passionate anger that he was able to commit two murders—a true testament to a family’s emotional bond. A family’s multi-generational effort to outsmart fate destroyed Oedipus’ entire family. Where Sophocles depicted the destructive nature of family, Alice Walker reveals how family bonds can heal through love in The Color Purple. Clearly, the health of a family contributes or detracts from the health and potential of all its members; in so many ways, family provides the context for how and why individuals are who they are. In life, as in literature, the influence of family is undeniable. Families can be the source of grief and even insanity, as in Hamlet. In Crime and Punishment, thoughts of his mother and sister moved him to such passionate anger that he was able to commit two murders—a true testament to a family’s emotional bond. A family’s multi-generational effort to outsmart fate destroyed Oedipus’ entire family. Where Sophocles depicted the destructive nature of family, Alice Walker reveals how family bonds can heal through love in The Color Purple. Clearly, the health of a family contributes or detracts from the health and potential of all its members; in so many ways, family provides the context for how and why individuals are who they are.