The Great Gatsby: Final Essay
Objective: You will write a 5-paragraph essay in which you answer one of the following questions
1. Is Gatsby “great” as the title of the novel, and Nick, suggests?
2. Did Gatsby achieve his American Dream?
Step One: Define and brainstorm (in class)
Before you can even choose your topic and position, you need to think about what these
questions encompass.
1. What does it mean to be great?
a. List as many qualities as you can.
b. Think about Gatsby’s actions in the novel (and what you know about his
background). Make a list.
c. Think about words you would use to describe Gatsby. Make a list.
d. Decide whether or not Gatsby, based on his actions and personal qualities, is great.
2. What is the American Dream?
a. Come up with as many words as you can to describe the American Dream. Make a
list.
b. Define the American Dream based on your list.
c. Define Gatsby’s dream. Decide how it relates to your definition.
d. Decide whether or not Gatsby attained his American Dream.
Step Two: Choose topic and position (in class)
After you’ve brainstormed, you will be able to confidently choose a topic and position. Now you
know which topic feels most comfortable to you and the topic for which you have the most information.
Choose the three most convincing points that will help you prove your position.
Step Three: Write your thesis statement (in class)
Your topic and position along with your three best points will essentially become your thesis
statement.
1. Jay Gatsby is/is not great because/due to ________, ______________, and _____________.
2. Jay Gatsby did/did not achieve his American Dream because/due to ________,
______________, and _____________.
Step Four: Write your introductory paragraph
This paragraph—get this—introduces your topic and position to the reader. Generally,
introductory paragraphs begin with a broad or universal statement and then narrows to the specific
points at hand. Your introductory paragraph should include your definition (what it means to be
great/the American Dream) and then connect your definition to The Great Gatsby. Be sure to include
the title of the novel and the author’s name in the introductory paragraph. Your last sentence is your
thesis statement.
Step Four: Organize your evidence and find quotations
A traditional 5-paragraph essay usually has three supporting paragraphs which make up the
body of the essay. These three supporting points will be mentioned in the thesis, and then guide the
organization of each body paragraph. Go back into the novel and find quotations to help prove your
point. Organize these quotations according to main body paragraph. Shoot for at least two or three
quotations per supporting point.
Step Five: Write your body paragraphs
Now that you have your evidence, you can begin to write the body paragraphs. Remember, the
topic sentence of each body paragraph introduces the controlling point of the paragraph. Stay focused!
Introduce and explain your quotations. Be sure to cite them properly! Wrap up each body paragraph
with a clincher sentence.
Step Six: Write your conclusion
Your conclusion is so much more than a re-hash of what you just wrote. Here, I’d like you to
answer the “so what” question. Why does your topic matter in the world today? Is Fitzgerald trying to
teach us anything? Are these topics relevant to us? In other words, why is your argument important?
Step Seven: Proofread and peer edit
We will be peer editing our essays in class on Monday, December 3rd. Be prepared to
participate in this activity. The peer edit is worth 30 points.
Step Eight: Final edit and hand in!
The final copy of your essay is due Monday, December 10th. You must also submit your essay
to www.turnitin.com. You will also bring your Gatsby book to class that day to hand it in.
1st period: Class ID = 5815316 Password = 1stperiod
3rd period: Class ID = 5815319 Password = 3rdperiod
Tips to Remember
*Typed, double spaced
*Original title
*Formal language—no contractions, slang, personal pronouns (I, you, we, etc.)—unless in a quotation
*Proper NP Heading
Name
English 11, 5.0
Mrs. Weizer, period _______
3 December 2012
*Please email me at npweizer@gmail.com with any and all questions!
*Properly introduce and cite quotations
When Nick tells Gatsby that he can’t repeat the past, Gatsby replies, “Can’t repeat the past—
why of course you can” with disbelief (192).
*Hand in your essay on time; each day late will result in a 10% deduction per day