Write a Thesis statement & Outline Your essay:
Steps to outlining your essay:
- Review your book and notes! What trends and patterns did you notice while reading? What did you notice about elements of literature like characters, theme, plot, and symbols?
- Look at the essay prompt, and brainstorm possible topics.
- Write a thesis statement for your essay.
- Fill out an outline - a map of your essay - with the evidence you believe supports your thesis statement.
Prompt:
In a five paragraph essay, answer the following question:
In a five paragraph essay, answer the following question:
- How well does the author of your novel use literary elements to engage readers?
Thesis:
Once you finish your book, you should be able to create a thesis statement for your essay. This is the main claim of the overall paper. Your thesis is 1-2 sentences that makes a declaration of what you intend on showing or proving in your paper. It is usually includes two parts:
Part 1 of thesis (the main claim):
Once you finish your book, you should be able to create a thesis statement for your essay. This is the main claim of the overall paper. Your thesis is 1-2 sentences that makes a declaration of what you intend on showing or proving in your paper. It is usually includes two parts:
Part 1 of thesis (the main claim):
- "In The Lord of The Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien engages readers by creating characters that must change dramatically in order to achieve their goals."
- "In The Lord of The Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien engages readers by creating characters like Frodo, Aragorn, and Gandalf, who must change dramatically in order to achieve their goals."
Structure:
Assignment:
Brainstorm a thesis statement for your essay by completing the following statements in as many ways as possible:
- The author does _____, and it shows _____.
- The author engages (interests) readers by _____.
- The author uses characters to show _____.
- The author uses theme to show _____.
- The author uses plot to show _____.
- The author uses symbols to show _____.
- Make up your own brainstorming prompts!
Homework: complete the following outline before class begins on Thursday, December 3. (Due in class):