OM&M+Essay+notes

Of Mice and Men essay notes An essay is a writer’s opinion on a single topic. To support this opinion the writer provides evidence and explanation of the evidence. Good organization helps the reader of the essay understand the thoughts of the writer.

Introduction Each body paragraph Conclusion – Basic essay rules:
 * Starts with broad ideas that lead the reader toward the focus of the thesis.
 * May start with a little story (anecdote), with a general idea, or with a well-known example.
 * In a literary essay you include the title of the work and the name of the author.
 * A book title is in //italics//.
 * A poem or article is put in “quotation marks.”
 * Finish the introduction with your thesis.
 * A thesis must include
 * a topic and
 * an opinion
 * The thesis must be arguable.
 * Starts with a transitional phrase
 * May be part of the topic sentence
 * Helps the reader move along
 * Has a topic sentence that makes clear the purpose of that paragraph
 * Provides two examples to support the topic sentence
 * First example from the text
 * Use MLA format!
 * All one sentence
 * Signal phrase
 * “textual example”
 * (page number)
 * ** . ** period**.**
 * First explanation of the example.
 * How does this tie to the topic sentence.
 * Second example
 * Second explanation
 * Other body paragraphs (2 more)
 * follow the same example
 * Start with a restatement of your thesis.
 * Don’t use exactly the same words; phrase it differently.
 * So What?
 * Why does this matter?
 * How does it relate to now?
 * Or how does it relate to more people?
 * Move beyond the scope of your thesis.
 * Leave yourself out of an academic essay.
 * No I, me, you, your, etc.
 * No contractions: can’t, etc.
 * Use formal language – no slang
 * Be sure to use correct MLA format
 * Refer to the Purdue OWL

Prewrite!
 * Write an outline.
 * Need to choose your thesis.
 * Choose your organization.
 * 3 body paragraphs
 * one character per paragraph?
 * One mood per paragraph? Place?
 * Which examples will support each paragraph?