ENG 2D1: Essay Writing
Writing An Essay 101
What is an essay?
Simply put an essay is a piece of writing expressing an opinion on a particular subject. For a literary
essay, an individual analyzes a topic related to a piece of literature, whether fiction or non-fiction, a
poem or play or film.
Purpose: An essay is a form of writing in which you seek to support an opinion about a topic (often
given by an instructor, though you may have to create your own topic). Again, in English class this is
usually on a novel or play read in class.
You must always state reasons for your ideas, and give evidence from the text(s) and or research to
back up them up.
ESSAY ORGANIZATION
*SEE HANDOUT FOR CLEAR DETAIL*
1. THESIS STATEMENT
A THESIS is a well written statement detailing the position you are covering in your paper. It is
usually found at the end of the introductory paragraph (the last sentence in your introduction).
NOTE: it is one sentence only.
However, the thesis is the most important part of your essay as it states the main idea of your essay.
It is the central argument you are trying to convince your reader of in response to the topic provided.
Some questions to help you formulate your thesis in a literary analysis paper:
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
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What is my claim or assertion? (opinion)
What are the reasons I have to support my claim or assertion? (arguments)
In what order should I present my reasons? (organization)
Example:
Topic: What is the cause of the tragedy in William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet?
Thesis Statement: Under pressure, Romeo and Juliet make impulsive decisions based on emotion
which leads to the unfortunate death of the two young lovers.
*you can see this again in the sample introduction* Write your introduction and conclusion last.
ENG 2D1: Essay Writing
2. INTRODUCTION:
FORMAT:
General (hook – engages your reader – use a quote, poem, question or statement related to the topic)
Transition Statements- introduce the literary work, the topic and connects to the work
*it is not plot summary
Thesis Statement – see above
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION:
It is impossible to foresee what will happen in the future. While many people believe in an almighty
God who controls their destiny, others ponder whether or not they command their own fortune. This
discussion of fate and destiny is central to William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. In this play, the title
characters end a passionate romance with an early death. The central question is “could the characters have
prevented this tragic end with better decisions? Or was the outcome of their courtship and love
predetermined?” In fact, the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet could have been avoided entirely if the characters
had stopped to think. Under pressure, Romeo and Juliet make impulsive decisions based on emotion which
leads to the unfortunate death of the two young lovers.
3. BODY PARAGRAPHS:
FORMAT:
- Topic Sentence
- Supporting Argument #1
- Proof #1
- Analysis #1
- Supporting Argument #2
- Proof #2
- Analysis #2
- Concluding Sentence
-
Topic Sentence: A well written sentence which states what you will argue in the paragraph.
It is one of your main arguments to support your thesis. Each body paragraph MUST start
with a topic sentence.
Supporting Arguments: You must support your topic sentence. It is important to use
material that will support your argument and thesis as well as insightfully analyze the topic.
First you must have an argument (POINT). You MUST use direct quotes (evidence) from the
text (and/or research) (PROOF), as well as insightfully analyze or explain how your argument
and evidence support your topic sentence and thesis (ANALYSIS)
Concluding Sentence: At the end of your body paragraph you must include a concluding
sentence to draw closure to this idea. Use a transition to guide your reader into the next
body paragraph.
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH:
Although it is easy to blame fate, Romeo’s impulsive behaviour contributes to their deaths. It is Romeo himself who ignites more
fury and hatred between the feuding families when he murders his wife’s cousin Tybalt in vengence. In response to his actions Romeo
cries “O I am fortune’s fool!” (3.1.131). Though Romeo seems to blame fate for his behaviour here, he also realizes that his impulsive
retaliation against Tybalt for the murder of his friend Mercutio will have consequences. The immediate consequences are evident later in
the scene when the Prince declares “we do exile him … /let Romeo hence in haste / Else, when he's found, that hour is his last”(3.1.184;
190-91). Evidently his rash behaviour results in is his exile from Verona, a serious consequence in itself for his impulsiveness. However, it
has far reaching results for as it separates the young “star crossed” newlyweds. Clearly, Romeo’s impulsive behaviour contributes to their
tragedy as both he and Juliet will make further impulsive decisions in order to be together which eventually leads to their deaths.
ENG 2D1: Essay Writing
4. CONCLUSION
The conclusion is the opposite format to the introduction.
Re-State Thesis
Summarize main ideas – each paragraph
Final Insight – like your “hook” in the intro. A general
statement question / comment about the topic that
leaves your reader with a lasting impression
SAMPLE CONCLUSION:
In Romeo and Juliet, the two lovers are torn apart by the impulsive decisions they make. Romeo and Juliet are not star-crossed
lovers or pawns of fate, but reckless teenagers who do not consider the consequences of their actions. This is evident from their impulsive
marriage right up until their rash decisions to kill themselves. While many people believe that impersonal Fate or a higher, omniscient God
controls their destiny, they can still direct their own futures by the decisions they make. Although unexpected circumstances or events,
perhaps controlled by Fate or God, may occur in life, the way one responds to those events ultimately determines the direction one’s life
will take – such is the case for Romeo and Juliet.
QUOTATIONS
Quotations need to be selected carefully to ensure they support your arguments and thesis.
Quotations of 1 - 3 lines are short quotations. Long quotations are anything longer than 4 full lines of
your essay (see below).
When citing Shakespeare or poetry, identify the start of a new line with a (/), but keep writing the
quote on one line in your essay. When citing Shakespeare in MLA format, in parentheses identify the
act, scene, line(s) Ex. (1.2.34-35)
Try to work on integrating or embedding quotations into your argument and ALWAYS introduce your
quotes.
Example: Macbeth is very reluctant; it is only his “vaulting ambition” (1.7.27) which causes him to go
ahead with the deed.
LONG QUOTATIONS need to be avoided. You can omit portions of the
quote using an ellipsis (. . .). If it is necessary to include all parts of
the quote and it is longer than 4 lines, indent and single space the
quote.
NOTE: Plagiarism is taking someone else’s work and passing it off as
your own. You must ALWAYS give credit where credit is due.
Cite correctly when you use someone’s words or ideas. Please note that plagiarism can result in a
zero so cite your work!
MLA /WORKS CITED:
Proper citations for quotes in your essay are outlined above. All sources used in your essay,
including the primary source, which is the literary work you are analyzing, MUST be cited in a WORKS
Joe Smith
Smith 1
CITED list which is a separate page and is the last page in your essay.
EX. Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. London: Durband, 1985.
Mrs. Cole
ENG2D1-01
4th September 2012
Creative title
ENG 2D1: Essay Writing
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Source(s): http://www.dpcdsb.org/CAMPI/Learning/Library/Resources/