THE LITERARY ESSAY
A LITERARY ESSAY is an analysis of a piece of
fiction.
The writer INTERPRETS the way the piece of
fiction WAS WRITTEN.
STRUCTURE
• 5 paragraph essay:
 Intro
(Includes brief summary & thesis)
 3 body paragraphs
(1 per piece of supporting evidence)
 Conclusion
THE 3 PARTS OF AN INTRODUCTION
• A) Summary
• B) Reference to topic of choice
• C) Thesis
PART A
• SENTENCE 1-2:
 A brief summary of the text, including the
author’s name and title of the work.
FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT, NOT little
details that are not memorable.
PART B
• Sentence #3-4:
Tell us what your topic is.
i.e. Reference to your chosen topic.
PART B (Cont’d)
EXAMPLE TOPIC:
Discuss how 3 symbols in “Crucible” are used
effectively to show the nature of Salem’s society.
BAD: This essay is about “Crucible” by Arthur
Miller’s symbolism.
GOOD: Arthur Miller’s use of symbolism within
“Crucible” is integral to depicting Salem’s society.
PART C:
The Thesis Statement
• LAST SENTENCE of your INTRODUCTION.
• It must include your 3 pieces of supporting
evidence that you will use to PROVE YOUR
THESIS IS CORRECT.
THESIS (Cont’d)
• The strongest thesis statements are original;
NOT everyone will agree with your
interpretation but it is your job to prove
yourself in the 3 body paragraphs that follow.
• You are interpreting a piece of literature; this
means that you may have a different take on
the text than someone else.
THESIS (Cont’d)
BAD THESIS:
The 3 symbols that will be discussed reflect the
dysfunctional society in “Crucible” by Arthur Miller.
GOOD THESIS:
By discussing the witch trials, the poppet given to
Elizabeth Proctor, and the heavy stones used in the
pressing death of Giles Corey, we will see that Miller
uses symbolism effectively to create a dysfunctional
Salem.
THE 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS
• Each body paragraph will discuss ONE piece of
supporting evidence written in your THESIS.
• YOU MUST FOLLOW THE ORDER OF YOUR
ARGUMENTS LISTED IN YOUR THESIS.
i.e. ONLY the witch trials will be discussed in the 1st
paragraph, the poppet in the 2nd, and
the heavy stones used to press Giles Corey in the
3rd.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH BP
• TOPIC SENTENCES:
Introduce what your paragraph is going to be about
and how it relates to your thesis.
BAD TS:
This paragraph will be about the witch trials as a
symbol.
GOOD TS:
The witch trials are symbolic of the irrational society
Salem becomes.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH BP
• Each BP MUST HAVE AT LEAST 2 QUOTES to
support your interpretation.
• If you are going to say the witch trials are
symbolic of the dysfunctional village Salem
becomes, THEN you must prove it by quoting
2 passages where this is OBVIOUS/EVIDENT.
How To Quote
• YOU MUST INTEGRATE YOUR QUOTE INTO
YOUR OWN SENTENCES.
Good Example:
When Reverend Parris says, “I tell you what is said here, sir.
Andover have thrown out the court, they say, and will have no
part of witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that
news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot here”
(117), it becomes evident that the citizens of Salem are
realizing their village is behaving irrationally. They are thinking
about protesting, like the citizens of Andover, to voice their
dissatisfaction with the way people are being accused of
witchcraft and unfairly condemned.
YOU MUST INTEGRATE YOUR QUOTE INTO YOUR OWN
SENTENCES.
Bad Example:
• “I tell you what is said here, sir. Andover have thrown
out the court, they say, and will have no part of
witchcraft. There be a faction here, feeding on that
news, and I tell you true, sir, I fear there will be riot
here” (117). This quote shows that Salem is an
irrational place.
TIP
• To see if your quote is well integrated read it
out loud; it SHOULD sound like a natural part
of your sentence.
• It shouldn’t stick out!
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH BP
• WRAP-UP SENTENCES:
wrap up what your paragraph was about and
how it related to your thesis.
Good Example:
“When societies begin unjustly persecuting their
citizens through trials, like in the Crucible, they
are no longer considered a safe place to live.”
Conclusion
• Sentence #1: Restate your thesis in a new and
refreshing way.
• Sentence #2-4: Summarize your 3 main points that
prove your thesis.
• Last Sentence: Meaningful closing that relates to
your topic. (e.g. “Playwrights often use symbolism to help readers
understand the overall meaning they want to convey. In this case, Miller
wanted his readers to understand that the foundation of any society needs
to be based on rational thought. )
GENERAL TIPS
• NEVER write “This essay” or “This quote”.
• Writing must be formal; “I” is NOT allowed.
• Stay away from phrases such as “it seems”,
“maybe”, “possibly”, “I guess”…You have to
write your essay as though you are 100% SURE
YOU ARE RIGHT.
• Use transitional words as you go from
paragraph to paragraph.
General Tips (Cont’d)
• Write in the present tense.
Good Example:
When Proctor and Elizabeth are talking in
their home, there is a lot of tension.
Bad Example:
When Proctor and Elizabeth were talking in
their home, there was a lot of tension.