1. Do Now: Write down three components of a strong, effective essay

2. Components of an Essay: Introduction Your introduction should contain an attention grabber relevant to your topic. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work (UNC). Your thesis should come near the beginning of

3. Components of an Essay: Thesis Thesis statement- essay’s main proposition (the focus of your essay). Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper.

4. Elements of an Effective Body Paragraph A Transition sentence leading in from a previous paragraph to assure smooth reading. This acts as a hand off from one idea to the next. A Topic sentence that tells the reader what you will be discussing in the paragraph. Specific Evidence and analysis that supports one of your claims and that provides a deeper level of detail than your topic sentence. A Brief wrap-up sentence that tells the reader how and why this information supports the paper’s thesis. The brief wrap-up is also known as the warrant. The warrant is important to your argument because it connects your reasoning and support to your thesis, and it shows that the information in the paragraph is related to your thesis and helps defend it.

5. Conclusion Restate the main idea of your essay, or your thesis statement Summarize the three sub points of your essay Leave the reader with an interesting final impression (Purdue)

6. Esther Post-Shock Therapy “The Bell Jar hung, suspended, a few feet above my head. I was open to the circulating air” (Plath 215). With a partner, discuss this scene. Do you think the shock therapy fixed Esther? Why or why not?

7. Esther’s Liberation “I climbed up on the examination table, thinking: ‘I am climbing to freedom, freedom from fear, freedom from marrying the wrong person, like Buddy Willard, just because of sex…” (Plath 223).

8. Writing Do you think Esther is finally free from “the bell jar” because of this experience? Does this free her from the 1950’s female restrictions? Take 5 minutes to write a response in your notes.

9. Irwin What is your impression of Irwin?

10. Esther’s Hemorrhaging “The doctor whistled. ‘You’re one in a million.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘I mean it’s one in a million it happens to like this’” (Plath 253).

11. Joan’s Hanging With a partner, take a few minutes to discuss Joan’s death. -What caused Joan to hang herself? -Jealousy of Esther? -The treatments were ineffective?

12. The Final Chapter “In a week, if I passed my interview with the board of directors, Philomena Guinea’s large black car would drive me west and deposit me at the wrought-iron gates of my college. The heart of winter!” (Plath 237)

13. Joan’s Funeral “I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”

14. Group discussion Do you think Esther is ready to leave the mental facility and head back to college? Why or why not? Write down an answer in your notes before discussing.