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The Thesis Statement:
Subject/ Specific Topic+ Argument = Thesis
What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis
The thesis statement tells your reader what to expect: it is a restricted, precisely worded
declarative sentence that states the purpose of your essay -- the point you are trying to make.
A thesis statement is never concrete detail or a summary of your text.
The curiosity of Young Goodman Brown leads to his untimely fall from innocence.
Without a carefully conceived thesis, an essay has no chance of success.
Cites to help you create a thesis:
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Developing a Thesis (Springfield Township HS)
Thesis Generator (Springfield Township HS)
Creating a Thesis (OWL at Purdue)
http://suite101.com/article/tips-on-writing-a-strong-thesis-statement-a202083
PLEASE NOTE: THE BEST PLACE TO PUT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT IS AT THE
END OF YOUR INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH.
Attention Grabber:
Brief summary/ background info.
Thesis statement:
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Your Name
My Name
English 10
07 November 2012
Fancy, Creative Title
Thesis:
I.
Main Idea 1 (Assertion)
A. Concrete Detail (Evidence)
1.
Commentary
2.
Commentary
Chunk 1
B. Concrete Detail (Evidence)
1.
Commentary
2.
Commentary
Chunk 2
C. Concrete Detail (Evidence)
1. Commentary
2. Commentary
II.
Main Idea 2
III.
Main Idea 3
Chunk 3
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The body of the paper should consist of paragraphs that support or prove the thesis statement or
your main idea. Each paragraph should begin with a strong topic sentence and be followed by
supporting sentences that provide examples or concrete detail (from text) and explanations
(yours). Paragraphs should be organized in a logical manner. Generally, begin with the weakest
point and end with the strongest. Use transitions so that the movement from paragraph to
paragraph occurs smoothly and logically.
Main body paragraphs:
 Assertion: the topic sentence which includes a claim (or opinion); this is a mini-thesis
statement; NEVER Concrete Detail/Evidence
Beginning of the paragraph; starts with transition word
States the paragraph’s main idea
 Evidence: support to back-up your claim (quote, paraphrase, or summary)
Provides details to support the main idea, such as sensory details, facts, examples
NOTE: Textual evidence consists of summary, paraphrase, specific details, and
direct quotations.
AVOID PLOT SUMMARY!
 Commentary: an explanation of how the evidence justifies the claim; elaborate
Clincher sentence
End of the paragraph
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Emphasizes the main idea and adds a “zing”
Includes transition to next paragraph
Structure: A-E-C-C-E-C-C-E-C-C-Clincher
NOTE: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS WRITE IN PRESENT TENSE WHEN
WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE: it is alive and well!!
Ex: Dimmesdale dies, not died.
Also, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER EVER write in 1st or 2nd person in a formal essay!!!
Ex: I am going to tell you about how the letter affected Hester Prynne.
I KNOW YOU ARE… YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME THAT! IN FACT, DON’T!!!!
Directions: Begin writing your first body paragraph draft. Remember, this must include
three chunks (1chunk= 1cd + 2cm). Highlight your commentary and concrete detail in your
written rough draft. Make sure you are holding on to all of the “writing process” (thesis,
outline, etc. will all be part of your final grade).
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The Introduction
The introduction to your literary analysis essay should try to arouse interest in your reader. To
bring immediate focus to your subject, you may want to use a quotation, a provocative question,
a personal anecdote, a startling statement, or a combination of these. You may also want to
include background information relevant to your thesis and necessary for the reader to
understand the position you are taking.
In addition, you need to include the title of the work of literature and name of the author.
The Conclusion
Your literary analysis essay should have a concluding paragraph that gives your essay a sense of
completeness and lets your readers know that they have come to the end of your paper. Your
concluding paragraph might restate the thesis in different words, summarize the main points you
have made, or make a relevant comment about the literary work you are analyzing, but from a
different perspective. Do not introduce a new topic in your conclusion.
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Peer Edits
Stay positive
Be specific
Give the following:
Compliments: Always start your peer editing with compliments!
Tell the writer what you think he or she did well:
– I really loved your topic
– I think you used a lot of good details
– I liked when you used the word ______
– My favorite part was ________ because…
– This was really fun to read because…
– I liked the way you_________…
Suggestions:
Word choice – Did the author choose interesting words?
Using details (for example, seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling)
Organization – Can you understand what the author is trying to say? Is it in the correct
sequence?
Sentences – Are the sentences too long or too short?
Topic – Does the author stick to the
topic or talk about other things
that don’t really fit?
• Corrections: The third step in the peer editing process is making corrections.
• Corrections means checking your peer’s paper for:
– Spelling mistakes
– Grammar mistakes
– Missing punctuation
– Incomplete or run-on sentences