Document Title

Essay Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Huff

THIS SHEET MUST BE CHECKED AND ATTACHED TO YOUR PAPER.
( ) Center thesis significant title at top of first page.
( ) Single space MLA title page info at top left corner of first page (Paper #, English 102, Professor Huff, Date, Your name).

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH HAS:

( ) A TOPIC SENTENCE-a statement that will make your reader think about death in a meaningful way. This statement should relate to the message of the literature (or text) you are explicating.
( ) After the topic sentence, introduce the literature by author(s) and title(s). Say something about the writer(s) that indicates why the literature is dealing with ______<(the issue or theme) in such and such a way.
( ) Next, write 2-4 sentences explaining why the work is of interest to you. You may also add a more information about the author after this, if appropriate.
( ) Now is the time for a thesis lead sentence: Ask a question or make a statement that promotes your opinion about the theme/meaning of the literature you will be explicating.
( ) Finally, create a thesis statement:

Refer to the literature by title or writer
Explain how the theme of ______ is dwelt with by the character(s) or the persona, or author <(if using a text).
AND what you believe to be the ultimate message of this piece of fiction.

( ) If you want, you might add a concluding sentence to your introductory paragraph that, again, makes your reader think about the profundity of what you will discuss in your paper.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

( ) Each paragraph MUST have a TOPIC SENTENCE that makes a strong point for your thesis. It is wise to use words, or synonym, from the thesis for topic sentences.
( ) Each paragraph must apply some relevant literary terms woven into your explication of the literature.
( ) Each paragraph must engage text (quotations) that support your analysis.
( ) Each paragraph must reference to the theme (point of view) expressed in the piece of literature and how its characters handle death.
( ) Each paragraph must end with a CONCLUDING SENTENCE that reflects the TOPIC SENTENCE and makes a statement for your thesis. (Topic sentences and concluding sentences should mirror each other.)
( ) Facts from the author's life should be worked into your paper where appropriate.

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

( ) The TOPIC SENTENCE of your concluding paragraph should reflect the idea of your introductory paragraph's topic sentence-again get the reader's attention; make him think!
( ) The concluding paragraph should be a strong well-developed analysis of your personal revelations and relationship to the literary work(s). What message has this work given to you?
( ) Make certain your thesis has been developed throughout the paper and has given evidence of the work's meaning. The thesis should be reinforced by your paper's conclusion.
( ) Leave the reader with something to consider, to think about.
( ) Use MLA citation. (Cite line numbers of poetry and page numbers of other works).