Notes

FORMAT:
Introduction (broad to focus)
Thesis: Claim about theme in text that paper is proving
Body
Body
Body
Conclusion (focus to broad)

GREAT THESIS:
- Has an argumentative edge: Strive for statement that isn't undeniably true. Should be debatable but also provable with evidence from text
- Specific and focus: Even if you have many great arguments about a text, do not try to tackle more than one in your thesis.
- Comes at end of Intro: final sentence
- Strong thesis = strong essay (essay = center of proving thesis)
- Balance of interesting personal claim but with good proof

BODY PARAS:
} Start with topic sentence (SPA = Statement - Title - author)
}}} First sentence
}}} Mini-thesis
}}} Show connection to thesis
} Building up to textual evidence
} Evidence + Analysis
}}} Close reading analysis
}}} Explain how quotation proves thesis
} Transition or close
} Quotations:
}}} Quotes up to 4 lines in essay
}}} >4 lines = Dropped Quote
}}} (Author, 67).
}}} 2<x<4

Intro:
# Discuss general theme of essay and how it appears in text
# State title and author
# Relevant (plot) info that leads towards thesis
# Focus on purpose of paper
# End with debatable thesis
# 5-7 including thesis

Conclusion
+ Start with echoing thesis
+ What is the bigger picture? What is the point? What should someone make out of this?
+ Connection
+ Don't repeat
+ Reflect on consequences of thesis
+ Leave with food for thought

Tip$:
@ 3rd person (perhaps besides connection)
@ Present tense
@ Quotes can be past tense
@ MLA Format: 12pt, Times, 1 inch margins, double spacing, genre: novel
@ Original Title
@ Avoid contractions: do not, cannot, will not, etc...