The Literary Essay

1
The Literary Essay

• A How to Guide

2
What is a Literary Essay

• Essentially it is a persuasive piece that gives
  your opinion on an aspect of the novel.
• Often focuses on character or theme.
• Usually has five parts
• Intro with thesis (your opinion)
• 2 or 3 body paragraphs
• Conclusion

3
Introduction Lead Author Title of book Brief summary Thesis
Body paragraphs Makes a point that supports the thesis. Provides evidence from the text (with page s).
Conclusion Restates thesis Summarizes main points Ends with strong wrap up
4
Read the Sample Essay

• As we read, we will pause and answer
• What is the writers thesis?
• How do the writer prove this thesis?
• After reading TAG it. What has the writer done
  well? What could he/she improve on?

5
Using Quotations A good writer uses a mix of
direct and indirect quotes.

• They can be direct
• Perenelle is a very strong character. For
  instance, when everything looks hopeless she
  holds herself together because she wasnt going
  to give the sphinx the satisfaction of seeing her
  weep (368).

6
Using Quotations

• They can be indirect
• Perenelle is a very strong character. For
  instance, when everything looks hopeless she
  holds herself together because she doesnt want
  the sphinx to see her cry (368).

7
The Art of Using Quotations

• Use a mix of direct and indirect quotations.
• If you summarize, you dont need .
• If you take words directly from the text, use .
• For both direct and indirect, put the page number
  in () at the end of the sentence.
• Blend your direct quotations into a full sentence
  (they should never stand alone).

8
Read the Sample Essay

• As we read, we will pause and answer
• What is the writers thesis?
• How do the writer prove this thesis?
• After reading TAG it. What has the writer done
  well? What could he/she improve on?

9
The Introduction

• Has a lead to catch the readers attention.
• Gives authors name and title of book (underline
  or italicize title).
• Gives a little plot summary.
• States your thesis.

10
The Introduction

• General Douglas MacArthur once remarked that A
  true leader has the confidence to stand alone,
  the courage to make tough decisions, and the
  compassion to listen to the needs of others. In
  Umlando Wezithombes Nelson Mandela The
  Authorized Comic Book we learn about the life of
  Nelson Mandela, from his upbringing in the South
  African countryside, through his early days as a
  lawyer in Johannesburg and his fight against
  Apartheid to his triumphant election as South
  Africas first Black president. We also learn
  lessons about leadership and that, to be a good
  leader you must have a strong vision but you
  cannot abuse your authority. You must still
  listen to those around you, even if you do not
  fully agree.

11
Another Intro Sharing Control

• The sound of a breakdown may be accompanied by
  skidding tires and breaking glass or just quiet
  weeping in the night. In Backwater Betty Black,
  by Greg Doherty, both sounds are heard. The novel
  is the story of a jaded psych nurse, Betty Black,
  who takes a mental patient, Doug Vane, on a road
  trip that would try anyones sanity. Ultimately,
  the story portrays the relationship between
  happiness and control. To be happy, Doherty
  argues, one must be neither too controlling nor
  too controlled and sometimes the only way to
  gain perspective on ones sense of control is to
  lose control for a while.

12
Body Paragraphs

• State your point.
• Then use a blend of direct and indirect quotes to
  support your point.
• End your paragraph by making a clear connection
  to your thesis. How does this point prove your
  thesis?

13
Sample Body Paragraph

• The idea that a leader should be open to all
  points of view was important to Mandela and he
  often demonstrated that he has learned his
  lessons from the chief well. After the violence
  in Sharpeville, people are demanding a different
  strategy. For instance, one man confronted
  Mandela by saying We cant sit around talking
  non-violence after what has happened (59).
  Mandela knows that he needs to listen to his
  followers even if this means a change his plans
  but he refuses to give up on his ideals. He
  begins to plan attacks on government buildings,
  carrying out the first in 1961 but he does not
  abandon his belief in non-violence. For example,
  the attacks happen only at night when no one is
  present (71). So, even though these are
  bombings, the aim is not to hurt anyone only to
  make it difficult for the government to rule. In
  this way, Mandela demonstrates the qualities of a
  true leader by listening to others but still
  remaining true to his beliefs.

14
A Good Conclusion

• Rephrases your thesis.
• Might sum up your main points.
• Might end with a strong statement, a question or
  quote that ties into your thesis.
• Often answers the question So what? In other
  words, why does your thesis matter?
• Does not introduce new points.

15
Sample Conclusion

• Mandela demonstrated his commitment to preserving
  human life throughout his life. Even when his
  leadership was challenged by the extreme violence
  of the Apartheid government, he refused to
  abandon his core values. Instead, he asked his
  people what really mattered. Did they want
  revenge or freedom? In doing so he saved his
  country from falling into greater violence. In
  this way, Nelson Mandela gave the world an
  example of true leadership. If more people in
  powerful positions followed his example, the
  world would be a much better place.

16
Works Cited

• Authors Last Name, First Name. Title. City of
  Publication Publisher, Year. Medium of
  Publication (print, ebook, website, etc).
• Gleick, James. Chaos Making a New Science. New
  York Penguin, 1987. Print.