Essay Structure

Structure: The analysis must have a thesis statement (thecentral idea of the essay). You defend this thesis using at least 3 argumentsand support these arguments with evidence from the text.

1.    Your essay mustcover the topic you are writing about.

2.    Your essay must havea central idea (stated in your thesis) that governs its development.

3.    Your essay must beorganized so that every paragraph contributes something to the readersunderstanding of the central idea. 

Literary Essay Organization: 5 paragraphs // in total 1paragraph=1 perspective/idea

1: The introductory paragraph must incorporate the following:the purpose of the essay, the thesis statement

The beginning sentences of the introduction that catch thereaders interest. The introduction explains why you are writing this analysis.State the main point or thesis of your essay. Your thesis should answer a question about how an important element inthe piece of literature works. For instance, you might answer the question:What do you think was the main point the author was trying to make abouthis/her subject (theme)  or what was theauthor trying to show through one of the characters?

Body Paragraphs* supporting arguments, textual evidence,analysis (paragraphs 2,3,4) 

2: supporting argument #1

Explain your first point connected to your thesis. Discuss yourinterpretation and support it with quotations from the book.

3: supporting argument #2

Explain your second point connected to your thesis. Discuss yourinterpretation and support it with quotations from the book.

4: supporting argument #3

Explain your third point connected to your thesis and support itwith quotations from the book.

5 The concluding paragraph summarizes the main ideas (paragraph5)

You can summarize your main points, and connect them to yourthesis.  You can connect yourinterpretation to a larger theme in the novel or you can explain what youlearned about human nature or the complexity of human experience through thenovel.

More explanation of each paragraph

Introduction

The opening paragraph.

The introduction should include the following:

 Introductions should identify the work of literature beingdiscussed, name the author, and briefly present the issue that the body of youressay will more fully develop (your thesis). Basically, introductions suggestthat something interesting is occurring in a particular work of literature.

The thesis statement is the announcement of your analyticalargument that you intend to make and prove in the duration of your essay. It isa road map for the essayit tells the reader what to expect from the rest of theessay.

Body:

The body of your paper should logically and fully develop andsupport your thesis.

The body consists of 3 paragraphs, one for each supportingargument.

Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea that supportsyour thesis statement.

Each body paragraph should include the following 5 parts:

 1. A topic sentence a topic sentence states the main point of aparagraph: it serves as a mini-thesis for the paragraph. You might think of itas a signpost for your readersor a headlinesomething that alerts them to themost important, interpretive points in your essay. It might be helpful to thinkof a topic sentence as working in two directions simultaneously. It relates theparagraph to the essay’s thesis, and thereby acts as a signpost for theargument of the paper, but it also defines the scope of the paragraph itself.

2. Context for the quote 1. Who says it? What is happening in the text when they say it? 2. This prepares the reader for the quote by introducing the speaker, setting, and/or situation.

3. Quote/Concrete details a specific example from the work usedto provide evidence for your topic sentence/support thesis.

4. Commentary your explanation and interpretation of the concretedetail. Commentary explains how the concrete detail proves the thesis.

5. Clincher/Concluding Sentence last sentence of the bodyparagraph. It concludes the paragraph by tying the concrete details andcommentary back to the major thesis.

Conclusion:

The last paragraph, where you are given one last chance toconvince the reader of your argument and provide a sense of closure.

a. Summarize your argument AND extend your argument.

b. A sophisticated conclusion does not simply restate the thesisof the introduction or summarize the logic presented in the body of the essay.Your conclusion, most often, will try to suggest the broader significance ofyour discussion why is it important?