1. The Essay In a Nutshell
How to make it better

2. Format All essays in English are written using MLA Format
Even if your teacher doesn’t ask you to format the essay you should know that the essay (in English class) is in MLA Format. Never turn in an essay in any other way
Review on my website what the first page looks like without cover page.
Do not forget to have a running header at the top right hand corner. Your Last Name Page #

3. The Introductory Paragraph
Funnel Analogy
Broad to narrow
Introduce the general topic and move toward your thesis.

4. The Introductory Paragraph
The first sentence will be a lead.
Your second sentence will introduce the broadest aspect of your topic.
You would name the text you are writing about and the author, at some point in the intro, usually in the second sentence.
Each sentence moves you closer to your most narrow topic : your thesis.
The thesis statement is usually the last sentence at the end of your introductory paragraph. It is good to underline your thesis just so you can remind yourself what your argument is.

5. The Introductory Paragraph The second sentence
What does it mean to be civilized? (Lead) In the novel, Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, a group of British school boys get stranded on a deserted island in a seeming tropical paradise.(Mention Author and title of the novel) Then you would provide specific information to lead to your thesis

6. Intro sample
In the play, Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Bertram Cates is put on trial for teaching Darwin’s evolution of man in a public school. Many people outside the small Bible-belt town of Hillsboro believe that the actual law is unjust and restricts an individual’s right to free speech. One such man, defense lawyer Henry Drummond, is willing to put aside his personal beliefs on the issue of creation versus evolution to fight for Bert Cates’ right to teach theories that differ from Hillsboro’s Fundamentalist views on the creation of man. Drummond’s actions represent the very essence of French philosopher, Voltaire, whose famous Dictum states, “I disapprove of what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.” (An Introduction 2004). Through the actions and words of Drummond and other characters in the play Lawrence and Lee demonstrate that Voltaire’s Dictum is a major theme in, Inherit the Wind.

7. Questions Regarding Intro
What is the thesis statement implied in this paragraph?
Play jeopardy. What question fits this introductory paragraph?
Notice how the paragraph begins with a broad statement and moves toward a more narrow focus as the thesis statement is given.
Notice how information such as the play’s title, authors, issues, and characters are smoothly introduced in the writing.
What is the next step? What should be the focus of the essay that follows?
Voltaire's Dictum “I disapprove of your views, but would fight to the death for your right to express them.“ Freedom of thought, freedom of speech.

8. The Main Body
This is where you use your best evidence to prove that your thesis is true.
You refer to events and incidents to support your thesis.
You should use direct quotations to support your thesis.
Everything you write should be clearly connected to the thesis of your essay. Especially your quotations.

9. The Main Body Organization is of the utmost importance.
Each paragraph of the main body of your essay must relate back to your thesis. ***You must literally make this connection clear to the reader.***
Start a new paragraph for each main idea you use to support your thesis.
Paragraphs in the main body should be presented in an organized and logical fashion.
The order in which you present your arguments and evidence is something you decide. Present them in the order that that you feel will most strongly achieve the true purpose of your writing.
When writing about literature, evidence from the text (examples, incidents, quotations) must be used to prove the assertions you are making in your writing.

10. The Main Body Your First Main Point
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to use your strongest point (argument) in the second paragraph of your essay (1st body paragraph).
Usually at the end of the paragraph you write a sentence that connect this argument to your thesis, and what you will discuss in your next paragraph. This is known as a transitional sentence.

11. Quotations
In a literary essay your essay is made strong by how you support your argument.
Your argument is strengthened by using direct quotations from the novel to support what you are arguing. Quotations can be used anywhere in your essay but have to be in your body.
You should use at least one quote per paragraph to support your argument and it must be explain as to how it connects to the thesis statement.
Your quotations should flow within the paragraph. Refer to example.

12. How to Incorporate Quotations Properly
When you use a quotation in your writing, insert it as part of your own sentence. A comma (part of the sentence – short quote) or a colon (long quote) should precede the direct quotation you are inserting. The quotation becomes part of a grammatically correct sentence that you write.
NEVER JUST “PLUNK” A QUOTATION INTO YOUR WRITING.

13. Three Steps for incorporating quotes
1. Provide an introduction to your quotation to provide context. The clause preceding a quotation is called the signal phrase. This should be enough information so that the quotation will make sense to the reader and should flow logically with the rest of your writing. (Do not just “drop” the quotation into your writing.)
2. Your quotation should be grammatically inserted into your writing. It should be part of a complete sentence that you have written.
Once you have correctly inserted your quotation, the last step is to explain the purpose the quotation serves in your writing. Often, you will be using a quotation to help argue or prove a thesis. Be sure that you clearly explain the quotation and how it supports what you are arguing.

14. Incorporating Quotes (cont)
Quotations must be accurate and must be referenced with in-text citations*--which means you will also need a works cited page at the end of your paper
Note rules for quoting dialogue in drama* see website.
Learn the rules for using single quotation marks vs. double quotation marks

15. Quotations Continued
If the quotation is less than four lines of your writing, put quotation marks around the quotation and include it in your writing.
If a quotation is four lines or more, double indent the quotation, but do not enclose it in quotation marks. Only use quotation marks that were in the original text.
Do not forget to put the author’s last name and the page number in parenthesis after the direct quotation.

16. The Concluding Paragraph
You have worked hard to write a great essay.
Don’t leave your reader with a bad last impression.
Draw your final conclusions—make sure you connect to thesis as you conclude.
Your conclusion should restate (in different words) what you have just told your readers and draw some conclusion to it.
Your conclusion must conclude the actual essay that precedes it and should be closely linked to your thesis statement.
The conclusion is not the place to present new arguments.

17. The Concluding Paragraph
COMMON MISTAKES:
Starting a new topic.
Making a main body argument.
NOT concluding the actual topic you have just written about.

18. Works Cited Page
When you write a literary essay you must have a works cited page
Refer to my website to get info on how to create a works cited page.
Example:

19. Grammar
Refer to notes given on some common grammar mistakes such as: use of colon and semi-colon, run on sentences, fragments, comma splice, verb tense (stay in the present, italics vs. underlining, capitalization, possessive nouns/prounouns.