LITERARY
ESSAY
Grade 11
REVISE
• The structure of the literary essay is the same as any
other essay as it has an introduction, body and
conclusion. In , this essay you are required to have read
a literature text (Tsotsi) and present an
argument about what you have read.
• The body usually consists of 3 points, therefore 3
paragraphs.
The tone of the literary essay is formal.
It is written in present tense.
Do not retell the story.
THE PEEL METHOD
P – Point
Your topic sentence is extremely important. The first
sentence of each paragraph should clearly state the point of
the paragraph which should be directly connected to the
argument of the essay. Keep it short and straight to the
point. But it is NOT a heading.
E- Evidence
The evidence presented should be in line with your point
of view, meaning the evidence provided should be credible
and verifiable such as examples in a text.
E- Explain
This portion of your paragraph may be the longest one
as it involves interpreting, evaluating and providing
additional details to support your main idea.
L-Link
You are required to provide a linking sentence that
should follow at the beginning of the following
paragraph.
This link shows the transition from the one paragraph to
the next.
POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU
START WITH THE LITERARY ESSAY
WRITE IN
PRESENT
TENSE
ALWAYS WRITE
IN THE THIRD
PERSON
DO NOT USE
CONTRACTIONS
OR
ABBREVIATIONS
Instead of saying Juliet
was young, say Juliet is
young.
Do not say I agree, say
It is evident.
Don’t should be do
not.
DO NOT
RETELL THE
STORY
USE LINKING
WORDS
Instead,
Evaluate, Assess,
Discuss.
Eg, however, in
addition, considering,
in contrast.
6
In a carefully planned essay of 350-400 words
(1∕ - 2 pages) in length, discuss to what
extent Tsotsi’s fate is influenced by his past.
INTRODUCTION
In the novel Tsotsi by Athol Fugard, Tsotsi is a gang leader in
a Johannesburg township. The novel is a powerful depiction
of Tsotsi’s life and his struggle to survive while undergoing a
transformation from a hardened criminal to a responsible
adult. This essay aims to explore Tsotsi’s past experiences and
how it has shaped his future.
Could be:
In the novel, Tsotsi by Athol Fugard, the main character’s fate
is largely determined by his past. However, he makes certain
choices which also determine his fate.
STEP 1: POINTS
POINT 1
• Tsotsi started life as a young
boy on the streets where he
quickly learnt to fend for
himself by robbing others. He
later becomes a gang leader
because of the life he has
already lived.
POINT 2
• When Tsotsi decides to
take the baby in,
something is triggered in
his memory. At first it is
the image of ‘a yellow
bitch’ but gradually his
memory returns.
POINT 3
• Tsotsi’s past is influenced
and determined by the
apartheid laws which
ultimately shaped his
future.
STEP 2: EVIDENCE
POINT 1
POINT 2
POINT 3
• Despite being the gang leader,
Tsotsi is questioned by Boston
constantly about who he is and is
unable to answer these questions.
Everyone knows not to ask Tsotsi
questions about his past.
• The baby is the first
living thing that Tsotsi
is responsible for. It is as
if caring for the baby
allows him to recognise
the child he had once
been.
• Tsotsi loses his parents as a
direct result of the
apartheid laws.
STEP 3: EXPLAIN
POINT 1
• Boston ends up in an
altercation with
Tsotsi, where he is
physically beaten
because he does not
stop asking Tsotsi
these questions.
POINT 2
• The baby is given Tsotsi’s real
name David; this is a result of
Tsotsi being able to remember
his past. He is able to think
about his parents, his unsafe
home and living in the drain
pipes with other children.
POINT 3
• Tsotsi has no other place to go to,
other than the streets of the
township. This results in him
being a criminal as a result of the
apartheid system which has created
an “inward darkness” and finally
his death
STEP 4: LINK
POINT 1
POINT 2
POINT 3
• Tsotsi’s vicious
behaviour is charged
by the presence of
the baby who acts as
his redemption.
• The baby gives Tsotsi a
second chance by caring
for ‘his’ son. He cares for
the child the way in which
his mother did for him
before she was arrested.
• By admitting that he has
a past and by allowing
himself to recall it, he is
no longer haunted by his
“inward darkness”
OR
POINTS
EXPLANATION 1
12
EXPLANATION 2
POINT 1
Tsotsi started life as a young boy on the streets
where he quickly learnt to fend for himself by
robbing others. He later becomes a gang leader
because of the life he has already lived.
Despite being the gang leader, Tsotsi is questioned
by Boston constantly about who he is and is
unable to answer these questions. Everyone knows
not to ask Tsotsi questions about his past.
POINT 2
When Tsotsi decides to take the baby in, something The baby is given Tsotsi’s real name David; this is
is triggered in his memory. At first it is the image of a result of Tsotsi being able to remember his past.
‘a yellow bitch’ but gradually his memory returns.
He is able to think about his parents, his unsafe
home and living in the drain pipes with other
children.
POINT 3
Tsotsi’s past is influenced and determined by the
apartheid laws which ultimately shaped his future.
Tsotsi loses his parents as a direct result of the
apartheid laws.
CONCLUSION
Tsotsi's past has a significant influence on his future, but it is
ultimately his own choices and actions that determine his fate. His
experiences have shaped him into the person he is, but it is his own
willingness to change that allows him to overcome his past and find
a new direction in life.