Formal Essay
Writing
English 1DI
Summative Assignment
Weighting: 14%
The Task
• You will write a 5 paragraph essay
• You will choose from several topics on
The Hunger Games
Essay Structure
• We will begin by looking at the structure
of a 5 paragraph literary essay:
• Introduction + thesis (last sentence)
• Body paragraph one
• Body paragraph two
• Body paragraph three
• Concluding paragraph
Introduction
•Moves from general
to specific
GENERAL
•Provides “hook” for reader
•Introduces work, author
and topic to be discussed
•Introduction narrows to a
specific point of argument
(THESIS)
SPECIFIC
Your Thesis Statement:
• Must be absolutely clear
• Must be specific and concise (don’t use
unnecessary words)
• Must outline the three aspects of your topic
that you will be discussing
Body Paragraphs (3)
•Each body paragraph develops ONE aspect of thesis statement
•Each one will begin with a topic sentence
•Body sentences will use point, proof, discussion method
•Use 2-4 points, backed up with quotations from the novel and
discussion
•End with a concluding sentence that summarizes the paragraph
•Use transition words to connect points
•Use linking words in either the topic or concluding sentences to
link paragraphs together
Conclusion
•Moves from specific to
general
SPECIFIC
•Restates thesis in original
way
•Offers no new information
•Concludes by relating topic
to the human condition,
ending on a thoughtful note
(a general comment that
relates the novel and essay
topic to the human condition)
GENERAL
Let’s get started!
• Let’s take the following topic:
• In The Hunger Games, different
characters represent different values.
What value or attitude does the
character Gale represent in the novel?
• Brainstorm some values or attitudes
that he stands for
Now, in your groups, create a point,
proof and discussion
What attitude or value does Gale represent?
Give an example from the novel (use a
quotation)
Discussion: what is significant about this
example? What does the example show
about Gale?
Things to consider:
•
•
•
•
•
What a character says (speech)
What a character does (action)
What a character thinks (thoughts)
What others say about him/her
The character’s appearance and
surroundings
Developing Point, Proof,
Discussion
• Make a point
• With an introduction (eg. speaker,
context), give a quotation that proves
your point (use proper citation format)
• Discuss the significance of this trait, in
light of your proof
Sample Point, Proof, Discussion
for Gale
Point: Gale represents an attitude of rebellion
in The Hunger Games, which is noticeable
right from the start of the novel.
Proof: For example, when he and Katniss are
hunting in the woods, before the reaping, he
suggests that they “Leave the district. Run
off. Live in the woods. You [Katniss] and I, we
could make it” (9).
Discussion: Already at the beginning of the
story Gale is considering running away from
the starving, Capitol-controlled district 12 that
he lives in.
Things to consider when using
quotations from a text:
• Give a context for the quote (eg. At what point in
the story does the quote appear?)
• Tell who is speaking (if it is dialogue)
• Introduce the quote with your own words
• Put quotation marks around the exact quote
• If there is dialogue and narration within the quote,
put single quotes around the dialogue
• Eg. “Gale said, ‘We could… leave the district’”
(9).
Some of your points, proofs,
discussions:
• Gale is rebellious toward the government
when he goes hunting in the woods.
Katniss and Gale always go hunting “in the
meadow” and they “bring their catches to
the black market” and bring food home for
their families. Gale doesn’t follow the rules
and he laughs about it behind the
peacekeepers backs.
Another sample from this class:
• Gale shows an attitude of rebellion when
they are in the woods hunting and Gale
mimics Effie Trinket. “Suddenly he falls
into a Capitol accent as he mimics Effie
Trinket, the maniacally upbeat woman who
arrives every year to read out the names at
the reaping.” By mimicking Effie Trinket,
he is making fun of the Hunger Games,
showing that he has no respect for the
Capital.