Reference no: EM132665744

Question: You will be evaluated based on your ability to write clear, well-argued essays. Elements such as grammar, organization, argumentation, citation, and editing are all important and will affect your grade.

Either Harry Potter (the Philosopher''s Stone) or Lord of the Rings.

While planning and writing your essays, as always, feel free to get in touch with me (and/or your T.A.) for any questions you might have.

Below are a few tips for writing effective essays.

* Your essay must have a clear thesis. A thesis is a statement of what you are trying to prove in the essay-your argument, your point, your stance or position. It should be something with which your reader can potentially agree or disagree; it should not be a statement of fact or general knowledge. Your thesis should also be a statement about the meaning of the text, rather than a statement about readers or about the world. In general, your thesis is most effective as the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.

* Your essay must have a clear structure. This means that you need definite introductory and concluding paragraphs; as well, your body paragraphs should follow a logical order of argument, covering specific points and/or ideas that work to support your thesis. Make sure that each paragraph has a topic and concluding statement, and that you establish smooth transitions between paragraphs. Attention to good structure helps your reader follow your argument, and helps you keep your thoughts and evidence organized.

* Always be specific. Do not assume that your reader will "get" what you are alluding to (think of a theoretical reader who has read the text in question, but needs specific information in order to engage fully with your argument). Quoting from or at least citing the primary text-the novel or short story, for instance-is always a good idea to give your reader a definite context for what you are saying.

* Use the present tense whenever you are writing about events in a novel or story.

* Take time to plan and outline. Before writing the first words of your essay, spend time planning and outlining it. Gather your evidence and look for patterns, similarities, and differences. Remind yourself what it is that you want to discuss and prove, then think about the best way to organize your essay accordingly. What is your point? What is your argument or position? What evidence will you need to support your thesis? What is the most effective way to structure the essay-what argument should come first and what is your most important evidence? Essentially, when you sit down to write, you should have a firm idea of what you want to do in your essay and how the parts will fit together. Good planning and outlining will save you tension and frustration.

* Write about what interests and excites you. When considering a topic, think of what you liked most in the texts on the course-issues, ideas, passages, and so forth. What would you like to explore further? What would you find interesting to write about for five or six pages? If you enjoy what you are writing about, your essay will show it.

* Finally, reread and edit. Before submitting your paper, reread it and revise it as necessary, looking for everything from typos to potentially unclear sentences to improper essay format. Having someone else look at a draft is always a good idea, particularly if you trust that person to be honest and helpful. The value of a "clean" essay to a reader cannot be underestimated, for it shows that you care about your writing, which in turn encourages the reader to care about what you are saying.

Finally, if you have previously taken an English course, you are probably familiar with the basic technical vocabulary of English literary studies. If not, though I have attempted to be as clear as possible and have affixed a glossary of some terms at the end of the text, you may want to consult a handbook of literary terms when in question. M. H. Abrams A Glossary of Literary Terms offers an excellent source book for literary terms.

For some tips on MLA format, as well as a snapshot of what the front page of your essay should look like, see the guide on the final page of this document.