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 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. 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.Example: John Donne once wrote “No man is an island.”

3. An effective introduction John Donne once wrote “No man is an island.” Humans by nature are social creatures. Though all individuals require time alone to think and create, prolonged isolation can produce damaging effects. Sometimes an individual chooses isolation, while other times solitude is a consequence. In either case, an individual who experiences long periods of time alone suffers, and can often cause others to suffer as well. John Donne once wrote “No man is an island.” Humans by nature are social creatures. Though all individuals require time alone to think and create, prolonged isolation can produce damaging effects. Sometimes an individual chooses isolation, while other times solitude is a consequence. In either case, an individual who experiences long periods of time alone suffers, and can often cause others to suffer as well.

4. An effective introduction John Donne once wrote “No man is an island.” Humans by nature are social creatures. Though all individuals require some time alone to think and create, prolonged isolation produces damaging effects. Sometimes an individual chooses isolation, while other times solitude is a consequence. In either case, an individual who experiences long periods of time alone suffers, and often causes others to suffer as well. In life, as in literature, individuals need interaction and socialization with others. When this fails to occur, the negative effects of an individual left in isolation become readily apparent.

5. 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 dangers of isolation better than Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness.” Each paragraph should discuss a literary device or element (and how it reveals your prompt’s theme), using the “Beefing Up Commentary” format (textual example + 2 commentary statements X 2). “The character Kurtz abuses power to elevate his status at the Inner Station to that of a god (example). This abandonment of all morality and ethics he learned and lived by in Western Europe gives way to his utter depravity (commentary 1). As he remains alone in the heart of the Congo, Kurtz succumbs to mankind’s most base and selfish desires, illustrating how isolation leaves an individual without accountability for his thoughts, decisions, and actions (commentary 2). In contrast, the character Marlow journeys to the heart of the Congo and turns away from its evil offerings (example). Seeing what Kurtz has become shows Marlow that he is just as susceptible to the temptations Kurtz could not resist (commentary 1). However, Marlow, in recognition of his own capacity for evil, chooses to return home, where social order and interaction with others would prevent him from letting his individual fantasies run riot” (commentary 2).

6. Example without explanatory words Few literary works emphasize the dangers of isolation better than Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness. The character Kurtz abuses power to elevate his status at the Inner Station to that of a god. This abandonment of all morality and ethics he learned and lived by in Western Europe gives way to his utter depravity. As he remains alone in the heart of the Congo, Kurtz succumbs to mankind’s most base and selfish desires, illustrating how isolation leaves an individual without accountability for his thoughts, decisions, and actions. In contrast, the character Marlow journeys to the heart of the Congo and turns away from its evil offerings. Seeing what Kurtz has become shows Marlow that he is just as susceptible to the temptations Kurtz could not resist. However, Marlow, in recognition of his own capacity for evil, chooses to return home, where social order and interaction with others would prevent him from letting his individual fantasies run riot. Few literary works emphasize the dangers of isolation better than Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness. The character Kurtz abuses power to elevate his status at the Inner Station to that of a god. This abandonment of all morality and ethics he learned and lived by in Western Europe gives way to his utter depravity. As he remains alone in the heart of the Congo, Kurtz succumbs to mankind’s most base and selfish desires, illustrating how isolation leaves an individual without accountability for his thoughts, decisions, and actions. In contrast, the character Marlow journeys to the heart of the Congo and turns away from its evil offerings. Seeing what Kurtz has become shows Marlow that he is just as susceptible to the temptations Kurtz could not resist. However, Marlow, in recognition of his own capacity for evil, chooses to return home, where social order and interaction with others would prevent him from letting his individual fantasies run riot.

7. Constructing Body Paragraphs 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. You may also consider literary elements such as diction, imagery, details, and language.  Major Works: 4-5 paragraphs  Minor Works: 3-4 paragraphs

8. 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 3-4 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 TWO 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 two sentences of commentary that explain the significance of the observation in terms of the work and your thesis; Then write two sentences of commentary that explain the significance of the observation in terms of the work and your thesis; Make a second observation; Make a second observation; Write two commentary statements for the second observation; Write two commentary statements for the second observation; Write a final commentary statement that considers how the observations relate to the thematic thesis statement of the paper. Write a final commentary statement that considers how the observations relate to the thematic thesis statement of the paper.

9. 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.

10. Paragraph without explanatory words  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fascination with the Roaring Twenties was obvious, as he receives credit for naming that era the “Jazz Age.” A period of decadence and opulence, it provided the perfect backdrop to Jay Gatsby’s tragedy. 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. 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). 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. Yet, nothing lasts forever, and consumption leads to waste, clearly made evident through the Valley of Ashes. 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. Throughout the novel, the decadence, carelessness, and wastefulness of the 1920s surround and amplify how Gatsby’s obsession leads to his ruin.

11. Topic sentences for body paragraphs  In addition to characterization, Conrad uses conflict to show the impact of isolation on a person.  Another element which illustrates the effects of isolation is imagery.  A final technique Conrad uses to impart the destructive nature of isolation is setting.

12. 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.

13. An effective Conclusion—easier than the Introduction! In life, as in literature, prolonged isolation proves to be more damaging than beneficial.

14. An Effective Conclusion In life, as in literature, prolonged isolation proves to be more damaging than beneficial. In both Crime and Punishment and Heart of Darkness, characters who select isolation over socialization are able to abandon morals and standards of acceptable behavior to disastrous effects. Dr. Manette’s mental fragility is the result of being forced to endure eighteen years of solitary confinement. Hamlet’s fixation on seeking vengeance for his father’s murder causes him to drive away nearly everyone who loved him. Miss Brill’s extended existence on her own distorts her self- concept and view of life. Madame Bovary, Nora Helmer, and Addie Bundren’s unspoken misery in their marriages leaves each woman feeling lonely and unfulfilled—leading to desperate acts that further isolate them from others. In life, as in literature, prolonged isolation proves to be more damaging than beneficial. In both Crime and Punishment and Heart of Darkness, characters who select isolation over socialization are able to abandon morals and standards of acceptable behavior to disastrous effects. Dr. Manette’s mental fragility is the result of being forced to endure eighteen years of solitary confinement. Hamlet’s fixation on seeking vengeance for his father’s murder causes him to drive away nearly everyone who loved him. Miss Brill’s extended existence on her own distorts her self- concept and view of life. Madame Bovary, Nora Helmer, and Addie Bundren’s unspoken misery in their marriages leaves each woman feeling lonely and unfulfilled—leading to desperate acts that further isolate them from others.

15. An Effective Conclusion In life, as in literature, prolonged isolation proves to be more damaging than beneficial. In both Crime and Punishment and Heart of Darkness, characters who select isolation over socialization are able to abandon morals and standards of acceptable behavior to disastrous effects. Dr. Manette’s mental fragility is the result of being forced to endure eighteen years of solitary confinement. Hamlet’s fixation on seeking vengeance for his father’s murder causes him to drive away nearly everyone who loved him. Miss Brill’s extended existence on her own distorts her self-concept and view of life. Madame Bovary, Nora Helmer, and Addie Bundren’s unspoken misery in their marriages leaves each woman feeling lonely and unfulfilled—leading to desperate acts that further isolate them from others.Clearly, mankind requires interaction with others. Prolonged isolation takes away needed communication and accountability that keeps civilization and order moving forward. In life, as in literature, prolonged isolation proves to be more damaging than beneficial. In both Crime and Punishment and Heart of Darkness, characters who select isolation over socialization are able to abandon morals and standards of acceptable behavior to disastrous effects. Dr. Manette’s mental fragility is the result of being forced to endure eighteen years of solitary confinement. Hamlet’s fixation on seeking vengeance for his father’s murder causes him to drive away nearly everyone who loved him. Miss Brill’s extended existence on her own distorts her self-concept and view of life. Madame Bovary, Nora Helmer, and Addie Bundren’s unspoken misery in their marriages leaves each woman feeling lonely and unfulfilled—leading to desperate acts that further isolate them from others.Clearly, mankind requires interaction with others. Prolonged isolation takes away needed communication and accountability that keeps civilization and order moving forward.