Structuring an Essay or Paragraph

Structuring an Essay or Paragraph Response to Literature

Introduction(The Blues) The introduction paragraph for a response to literature includes: • An attention grabber • A question that sparks interest in your topic • An interesting quote/saying (cliché) Plus: • The title of the “story” • The full name of the author and genre • A BRIEF summary of the story

Introduction: Thesis or topic sentence(Green) • Covers the entire topic = CLAIM • States what you plan to prove or explain about that topic = CLARIFICATION • Use the wording from the prompt to construct your thesis / topic sentence (CLAIM)

Introduction: Claim & Clarification(Green) In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge’s personality alters for the better from beginning of the play to the end – showing that people can change for the better. At first, Scrooge was heartless, but as the story progresses, a richer and fuller heart filled that empty space. How could someone’s worthless heart become as rich as gold?

Find the Claim and Clarification Even though the characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby appear to relish the freedom of the 1920’s, their lives demonstrate the emptiness that results when wealth and pleasure become ends in themselves. Specifically, the empty lives of three characters from this novel – George Wilson, Jay Gatsby, and Daisy Buchanan – show that chasing hollow dreams results only in misery.

Main Points(Yellow) • Breaks the thesis (claim) down into provable main points = subtopics. • Each main point is stated in the clarification • Gives a main, or general idea of what follows in the body paragraphs. • Often starts out with a transition word. (First, next, finally, then, another example…)

Evidence(Red) • Gives examples of the main points. - Provides paraphrased details as examples of main points. • Uses quotes as evidence of main points. - For quotations from text: • Use a lead-in, quotation, commentary (warrant)

Lead-in(Red) • Correct lead-in includes: • Context: • What part of the story did the quote come from? • Who is speaking? And to Whom? • Lead-in should appear before the quote

Quotes and Citations(Red) • “He dabbed his paw in the water” (7). • “What does he have on his shoulder?” (26). • But why would she say, “I will be with you always”? (32). • “Curley turned white and shrunken…his fist lost in Lennie’s paw” (47).

Warrant (Commentary)(Red) • At least two to five sentences long • Thoughtfully reflect upon how your quote supports your claim / topic sentence and main point • Answers the following questions: • What does your quote mean in the story? • How is it significant?

Identify the lead-in, quote, and warrant One character who chases an empty dream is George Wilson, the owner of a garage. Wilson has gone into business with the hope of becoming rich, but he has not been successful. Wilson thinks that if Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s wealthy husband, will sell him a fancy car, he can then turn a profit by reselling it. When Tom and the narrator Nick Carraway meet Wilson at his garage, Nick says that there is a “damp gleam of hope” in Wilson’s eyes (25). Wilson complains that the sale is going slowly, and Tom replies, “[I]f you feel that way about it, maybe I’d better sell it somewhere else after all” (25). Wilson instantly backs down. This exchange suggests that Wilson has no chance of either making a profit off Tom’s car or realizing his dream of wealth. His hope of economic security is doomed to failure.

Conclusion(Green) • Restates your claim / topic sentence • Summarizes your main points • Answer the question in the introduction • Give an underlying meaning

Structuring an Essay or Paragraph