I, Juan de Pareja Response to Literature Essay
The main character, Juan de Pareja, changes through the course of the novel as he encounters new people, new
experiences, and eventually becomes a free man. You will write a response to literature essay exploring,
analyzing, and explaining the many ways that Bartolome positively impacts Juan’s life. You will write this
essay in class on Thursday 10/25. You will be allowed to use this sheet of paper, including the graphic
organizer on the back, your interactive notebooks, and the novel during the timed essay, so make sure you are
planning ahead of time and following along as we journey through the writing process. You will have one hour
to write this essay, so it is important to prepare ahead of time.
Assignment: Write a five paragraph response to literature essay answering the prompt below.
Prompt: In what three ways does Bartolome Esteban Murillo have a profound effect on Juan's life?
Discuss the various ways that Bartolome changes and/or impacts Juan’s life. Feel free to use previously
completed journals, flowcharts, chapter summaries, etc. from your interactive notebook to help you focus on the
major points. Support your claims with textual support from the novel.
Introduction
 Your introduction must be 4-6 sentences long.
 You must begin with a general opening that introduces the topic and direction of the paper (hook), and
moves in a logical manner, connecting the ideas to a specific thesis statement.
 Your thesis statement must specifically answer the prompt, presenting the central idea of the essay in
one clear sentence at the end of the introductory paragraph.
Three body paragraphs
 Each body paragraph must be 5-7 sentences.
 Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that references the thesis statement and includes
the specific topic to be discussed in that paragraph.
 Each topic sentence must be supported with quotations from the novel, and explanations of how each
quote supports the point.
 All body paragraphs must be free from random comments and ideas that do not support the topic
sentence.
 Each body paragraph is wrapped up with a concluding sentence that transitions into the next paragraph.
Conclusion
 Your conclusion must be 4-6 sentences.
 Your conclusion must start with a reworded version of the thesis statement.
 Your conclusion needs to wrap up the essay without repeating points already made in the essay—move
on to broader ideas, and connect points of the essay with the real world.
Sentence by Sentence Outline:
I.
Intro hook . TAG statement. Quick summary. Thesis statement
II.
Body #1 topic sentence. Evidence (quote). Explain quote. Transition.
III.
Body #2 topic sentence. Evidence (quote). Explain quote. Transition.
IV.
Body #3 topic sentence. Evidence (quote). Explain quote. Transition.
V.
Conclusion restate thesis statement . Make your point . Connect to people/world
Fill in this outline to help you organize your thoughts. You may use this while writing your in-class essay.
Paragraph
#1—
Introduction
Sentence Needed
Hook
TAG statement
Quick Summary
Thesis Statement
#2—Body
Paragraph #1
Topic Sentence
Evidence (Quote)
Explain the quote
Transition
#3—Body
Paragraph #2
Topic Sentence
Evidence (quote)
Explain the quote
Transition
#4—Body
Paragraph #3
Topic Sentence
Evidence (quote)
Explain the quote
Transition
#5—
Conclusion
Restate the Thesis
Statement
Make your point
Connection to the
real world
Your Sentence