Introduction
General statement that relates to the topic of your paper.
--In times of crisis, many people avoid analyzing the real world and find
comfort in illusions.
Statements that identify novel, author, characters and context of thesis.
--Judith Guest’s Ordinary People presents a family torn by death and
suicide. Beth Jarrett, the mother of the family, struggles with the past as she
tries to re-establish her family as normal, despite the reality of the situation.
Thesis statement that clearly introduces the major points of your paper. (What you
will analyze and what you will prove)
--Beth’s statements and actions suggest that she has an illusion that Conrad’s
problems have been resolved.
Body
Topic sentence that clearly connects to the major components of your thesis
[character, device, theme]
-- Beth’s actions reflect her illusion that Conrad has recovered.
Establish the context of your example. Do not summarize the entire story.
However, you must give the reader an idea of where your example occurs in the
novel and introduce what we should look for.
--While visiting her brother, Beth argues with Calvin about Conrad. During
their argument, Judith Guest’s descriptions of Beth highlight her
indifference towards Conrad’s problems.
Cite or summarize the example. Make sure you establish the speaker.
--While Calvin lists all of Conrad’s problems, Beth “looks casually towards
the beach. Her hands softly dismiss Calvin’s words with selfish strokes of
her face” (Guest 45).
Explain how your example proves your thesis.
--By using the words “casually” and “dismiss” to describe Beth’s actions, the
author implies that she is not concerned with the content of Calvin’s
statements. Therefore, she is not concerned with Conrad’s problems.
Make a brief transition into your next example
To show relationships
--Furthermore; accordingly; similarly; moreover; in addition
To introduce examples
--For instance; For example; in other words
To indicate another point of thought
--in addition; besides; finally
To indicate results
--therefore; consequently; thus; hence
To connect two contrasting points
--nevertheless; however; conversely; rather; instead
After providing all the necessary proof for this paragraph, write a closing sentence
that gives closure to your examples. DO NOT WRITE THE TOPIC SENTENCE
FOR YOUR NEXT PARAGRAPH IN THE CLOSING SENTENCE.
--Essentially, the author uses her diction to imply that Beth cannot face the
reality of her son’s problem.
Proper transition:
Need to close and open paragraphs correctly
Use ideas and words from previous paragraph to connect to new paragraph
You are showing how the previous paragraph relates to the new paragraph.
Although Beth’s perspective changes the reader’s point of view in this
situation, other events affect the reader’s point of view as well.
Conclusion
Restate the thesis in an original way
--Throughout the novel, Judith Guest uses her word choices and imagery to
suggest Beth’s inability to accept Conrad’s problems.
Revisit the examples that helped establish your point. Show how they relate.
--Whenever Beth is involved in a conversation about Conrad’s behaviors,
Guest describes Beth with words that convey illusion or disregard. Even the
sensory images that describe Beth suggest a cold attitude that she holds
towards her son.
Explain how this affects the overall novel, character or general context
--As a result, Beth serves as Guest’s model of what can happen when a
mother refuses to mourn or accept problems that exist in any family.
*Giving credit where credit is due: I think this sample is a slightly modified version of a sample that was
created by Mr. May. Or Mrs. May. But probably Mr. May. Thanks, Mr. May.