Transcript Essay Writing

Essay Writing
AN INTRODUCTION should have:
 General Introduction: Usually kind of boring
introductory sentence introducing what the story/play
is about, and who wrote it. ONLY ONE SENTENCE.
 Another sentence that mentions the topic: So, your
definition of characterization/theme, etc.
 Your ‘legendary’ thesis, with the three points you are
making based on the character’s personality
traits/theme, etc
Essay writing
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Your thesis should almost always look like some
variation of this:
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This paper seeks to understand how the
Author/Poet/Playwright uses the theme/
characterization/symbolism to illustrate POINT
A, POINT B, and POINT C. (which end up being
your body paragraphs)
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Then….
Essay Writing
PEE 3 Times!
(Once per body paragraph)
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Point/ Topic sentence – make a sentence for each character
sub-trait you identified in your brainstorming.
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Example/evidence - This is where you use the evidence
(include page number) from your brainstorming sheet to support
that character sub-trait.
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Explanation – Now explain how that evidence supports your
point or topic sentence.
Essay Writing
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Here’s an example for Romeo & Juliet:
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Point: Shakespeare uses TIME to show how R&J’S FATE WAS OUT OF
THEIR HANDS.
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Example: In the scene where Juliet tells her dad she will marry Paris, after
making a decision to take the fancy drug and elope with Romeo, her father
moves the wedding to the next day.
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Explain: This change in TIME (which is itself out of her control, if she had
a pause button, all would be well) is made by her father (out of her hands).
Thus, both others’ decisions and time created a FATE where R&J die—not
their decisions, but TIME. *explain is ALWAYS the longest
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NOTE: One scene can obviously be great for proving any number of points,
but it is best to just use it to prove one of your points, so your teacher knows
you read more than just one scene.
Essay Writing
The conclusion is where you wrap up your
thoughts and should include:
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Restate three main points in the same order as
presented in the 3 body paragraphs.
Restate thesis
Thoughtful ending sentence.
Essay Writing
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Transition words and phrases are vital devices
for essays, papers or other literary works.
They improve the connections and transitions
between sentences and paragraphs.
They thus give the text a logical organization
and structure.
Transitions (examples)
Transition Words for Similarity /Addition /
Agreement
 The transitional devices like also, in addition, and,
likewise, add information, reinforce ideas, and
express agreement with preceding material.
Some examples : in the first place, not only ... but also , as
a matter of fact, in like manner,in addition, coupled
with, in the same fashion /way, first, second, third, in
the light of, not to mention, to say nothing of, equally
important
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Transitions (examples)
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Transition Words for Opposition / Limitation /
Contradiction
Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that
there is evidence to the contrary or point out
alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of
reasoning (contrast).
Some examples: although this may be true, in
contrast, different from, of course ..., but, on the other
hand, on the contrary, at the same time, in spite of, even
so / though
Essay Writing- using quotations
1. Introduce your quotations. A quotation should never suddenly
appear out of nowhere. Some kind of information about the
quotation is needed.
 You can name the author, give his or her credentials, name the
source, or give a summary. You won't do all of these each time,
but you should usually name the author.
 For example:
a. But John Jones disagrees with this point, saying, "Such a
product would not sell."
b. In an article in Time Fred Jackson writes that frogs vary in the
degree of shyness they exhibit: "The arboreal tree frogs seem to
be especially. . . ."
Essay Writing- using quotations
2. Use some variety in introducing quotations.
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Pick the quotation verb which seems in each case to fit
your purpose most exactly. For example:
In this essay Green tells us, "Hope increases courage."
Note that the particular verb you choose helps orient
your reader toward your opinion of the statement.
"Jones says" is neutral; "Jones informs us" is positive,
"Jones alleges" is somewhat negative.
Other verbs to choose from include: (says, writes,
observes, notes, remarks, adds, declares, informs us,
alleges, claims, states)
Essay Writing- using quotations
3. Discuss your quotations.
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Do not quote someone and then leave the words hanging as if they were self
explanatory. What does the quotation mean and how does it help establish the
point you are making? What is your interpretation or opinion of it?
Quotations are like examples: discuss them to show how they fit in with your
thesis and with the ideas you are presenting. Remember: quotations support or
illustrate your own points. They are not substitutes for your ideas and they do not stand by
themselves.
Interpretive phrasing after a quotation can help show the reader that the you
are explaining the quotation and that it supports your argument: ( Here we
see that ,This statement shows, Clearly, then, We can conclude from this that,
This tells us that ,From this we can understand that )
Essay writing Tips
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NEVER use “I” : you’re writing the paper, so of COURSE it’s
what you think, using first person.
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It’s always the author that does this or that
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You never need the words “really” or “very.” You don’t.
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Avoid garbage adjectives like “nice” or “great” or “interesting”
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Know the play/book/short story really well.
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ALWAYS plan. Planning is the hardest part, the writing bit is
easy if you already know what you’re talking about.