Step two: Find and read lit crits. and complete notes (pink sheets)
Step three: draw up an outline of your argument
Thesis:
(state opinion and establish criteria)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Body 1 topic sentence (criterion #1)
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Specific support (you, the book, the critics):
Body 2 topic sentence (transition plus criterion #2)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Specific support (you, the book, the critics):
*Body 3 topic sentence: (transition plus criterion #3-if using a third)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Specific support (you, the book, the critics) :
Name:_________________________
Classic Novel Essay Prewriting
Step one: Which classic criterion does your novel meet? For which does it fall short? Brainstorm your
thoughts below. Look back at your reflections and reading notes to help you.
truthful and valuable—the book says something
universal and timeless—people can apply the
of value, drawing attention to human problems, rather than
simply telling an amusing story
book’s characters, conflicts, or themes to themselves despite
the setting; classics integrate themes that are understood by
readers from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of
experience
well-written--creatively or beautifully written with
influential—the book’s characters, themes, conflicts,
effective language; sometimes the language is poetic,
sometimes it is very unique, sometimes it is a sharp
imitation of a character’s voice, sometimes is captures the
age that it was written in very well
or writing style has inspired or influenced other works; it is
a model that other writers and artists aspire to replicate

BONUS: feel free to add and describe
own criterion
your
and comment on that criterion here: