The Essentials of Writing a Literary
Essay
A 12-Step Process
Step 1 - Anticipate
• Anticipate universal topics.
– Analyze the front cover of the text.
– Read a synopsis (on back, online).
– Research the author and novel.
– Read a review of the text.
Step 2 – Tracking…Everything
• Read the text (novel, play, poem), and take notes
on several universal topics. Use Post-It notes, if
they work for you.
– Notes must include textual proofs, page numbers, and
point-form explanations for proof choices. You’re
tracking evidence of the author using the 5 main
literary elements to discuss topics.
• The 5 elements:
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–
–
–
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Characters
Setting
Symbols
Mood
Plot
Step 2 – Tracking…Everything
(continued)
– Notes can also include
•
•
•
•
•
questions
reactions
text to self/text/world connections
emoticons
highlighted, underlined passages (if using your own
copy)
Step 3 – Topics Become Themes
• After reading and taking topic notes on several chapters,
develop universal topics into universal themes. This involves
serious brain power.
• Get input from friends who’ve read the same text; you can
learn from each other’s varied perspectives.
• See note on MyClass for the questions you worked through to
develop our themes list for The Kite Runner.
Step 4 – Tracking Themes
• Take notes that support several universal
themes. You will eventually select one (for
your thesis), but, at this point, you want to
give yourself adequate choice.
– As always, notes must include textual proofs, page
numbers, and explanations/analyses of proofs.
Step 5 – Top Choice Themes Only
• Narrow your focus by selecting only one or
two universal themes to track.
– Consider choosing themes that you can relate to,
that you’re passionate about, and that can be
supported with proofs throughout the text (unless
your focus is very precise, or you’re doing a close
reading – an analysis of a very brief section of a
larger text).
Step 6 – Do I Have a Thesis?
• Select one theme (hypothesis).
• Ask yourself, “Am I confident with the amount
of proof I have? The quality of proofs?”
• Most importantly, are you confident in your
ability to explain how the proofs support your
theme?
• If you can answer “Yes” to these questions,
you now have a working thesis.
Step 6 (continued) – Do I Have a
Thesis AND Supporting Arguments?
• Cluster the proofs for your thesis, according to
various commonalities (ex. according to character
or relationship, according to type, according to
time period, according to location).
• Use a legend to make it easier to see the
groupings.
• Using the clusters, establish supporting
arguments for your thesis. Aim for 3 supporting
arguments.
Step 7 – Pause and Type
• Give your brain a break and switch to
something relatively mindless: typing.
• Type up all your proofs, page numbers, and
explanations for your thesis. This will make
the next few steps considerably easier (as you
will have the option to cut and paste ideas
while deciding on the organization of your
essay).
Step 8 – Get Organized, Get Focused
• Plan the organization of your essay.
• How will you order your supporting
arguments?
– In chronological order?
– Medium strength argument/not-as-strong as
medium argument/strongest argument?
– In order of importance?
Step 8 - Get Organized, Get Focused
(continued)
• How will you order your points within each
supporting argument?
• How many points do you want to include?
• Remember to have at least 3 points per
supporting argument.
– You may use as many proofs as necessary to
support each point.
Step 9 – Outline Time
• Create an outline: a skeleton for your essay that
includes an introduction and conclusion.
• Use mostly point-form notes.
• If you’re anxious about writing, consider recording
yourself simply talking about each argument. Take
point-form notes based on your rants.
• Use this step as yet another opportunity to answer
these questions:
– “Do my arguments clearly relate to my thesis?”
– “Have I chosen the best proofs to support my arguments?”
– “Does the order of my arguments and points help make my
thesis more convincing?”
Step 10 – Roughing It (Take 1, 2, 3…)
• Using your outline as your guide, write or type
your first draft of your essay.
• Give yourself permission to really “rough it”.
– The goal is to just get down your ideas using
sentences and paragraphs.
– Don’t obsess about grammar, punctuation, spelling,
and diction. You’ll have time to refine in later steps.
– If you freeze up, go back to sharing your ideas aloud
(with a friend or alone), record yourself, and type
whatever comes up. You can use the outline as your
speaking/discussion notes.
Step 11 – Revise and Edit
• Print off your first draft. Use an easy-to-read,
large enough font and remember to double
space. These little things can help reduce
frustration while revising and editing.
• Revise and edit your draft, using the editing
checklist provided by your teacher.
• After you’ve done your best, on your own, create
a second draft.
• Hand your second draft to a friend, family
member, tutor for another round of editing.
Step 12 – The Home Stretch
• Repeat Step 11 as many times as you need.
• Consider using scrap paper for printing, if you’re
running off many drafts.
• After you’ve produced your best draft, refer to the
General Editing section of the editing checklist. Check
that you’ve met each expectation.
• NOW, hit print, round up all evidence of your process
work, and hand it all in.
CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE!