The Literary Essay

Excerpt from Postcards by E. Annie Proulx

How to Structure an English Literature Essay

How to Use Quotations in a Literary Essay

Analyze the work and ideas of other writers in order to arrive at your own opinion about a particular topic. Your opinion would be known as the thesis.

Introduction

The first paragraph introduces the reader to the topic and states the thesis.

• Make the opening sentence a general statement about the theme of the thesis. Make it catch the reader’s eye and make her want to continue.

• Don't forget to include the title and name of the author. • Fill the introduction with several statements that flow from the opening statement to the thesis. Have these act as connecting sentences. These can also summarize the body examples that you will use. • The last sentence of your introduction paragraph must be your thesis, what you plan to prove.

Body Paragraphs

Include 2 or 3 paragraphs in your body that give examples from the text you are working with that support your thesis, or can be used to argue your thesis.

• Make sure that your examples in your paragraphs are specific. • Use quotations to support explanations. • Make certain that you are writing how your examples support your thesis. • Have the paragraphs link to each other. Use transitions.

Conclusion

This is your fifth and final paragraph, therefore the most important. This will be the paragraph that is most fresh in the reader’s mind after she puts the essay down. A good way to form your conclusion is to reform the introductory paragraph in reverse form. In other words, have the conclusion contain the following, in order written:

• Restate your thesis, but in different words than before. • Summarize your three major points in the body paragraphs. • Close with a general statement that reflects insight on your topics.

CHECKLIST

Step One: What is your topic (focus)?

Step Two: Gather information. This is when you will use your highlighter or your post-it notes. Read the piece, highlight anything that addresses the topic, and jot down any notes you may want to use later.

Step Three: Create an outline. There are many ways to do this. I suggest that you write your thesis statement, and the topic sentences for the body of the essay. Use these to help you organize your thoughts and supporting evidence (quotes) on the topic.

Step Four: Write! __________________________________________________________________

Remember: • no abbreviations or slang • write in present tense • quotes “season” the paper and should be smoothly included • good copies should be carefully edited