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(Title of your essay…Do not underline the title of your essay.)
Introductory Paragraph
1. Hook (an interesting yet general statement that connects the subject of your essay and the
novel):____________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Rephrase writing prompt (connect an important part or statement from the prompt and relate it to
something important in the
novel):________________________________________________________________________
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3. State the name of the author and the title of the novel (complete this sentence with something interesting
from the story that relates to the main character/protagonist): _______________________________________
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4. Thesis statement (subject + 3 opinions= thesis statement)
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Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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Body Paragraph #1
Transitional phrase: (To begin, or To start,)___________________
Topic sentence (briefly explain your first opinion from your thesis statement):__________________________
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Transitional phrase (e.g., Achebe writes, or Achebe shows,): ______________________
Concrete detail/quote #1 (evidence of your first opinion): “___________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________”(_____).
Commentary/explanation of quote #1: (This shows/ explains/ suggests that…)___________________________
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Transitional phrase (e.g., Additionally, Moreover, Furthermore,): ______________________
Concrete detail/quote #2 (evidence of your first opinion): “___________________________________________
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___________________________________________________”(_____).
Commentary/explanation of quote #2: (This shows that…/ This reveals that…/ This suggests that…)_________
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___________________________________________________________________________________________.
Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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Body Paragraph #2
Transitional phrase: (To continue, or In addition, or Furthermore, or Moreover,)___________________
Topic sentence (briefly explain your second opinion from your thesis statement):_______________________
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Transitional phrase (e.g., Achebe writes, or Achebe shows,): ______________________
Concrete detail/quote #1 (evidence of your second opinion): “_______________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________”(_____).
Commentary/explanation of quote #1: (This shows/ explains/ suggests that…)___________________________
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Transitional phrase (e.g., Additionally, Moreover, Furthermore,): ______________________
Concrete detail/quote #2 (evidence of your second opinion): “________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________”(_____).
Commentary/explanation of quote #2: (This shows that…/ This reveals that…/ This suggests that…)_________
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Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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Body Paragraph #3
Transitional phrase: (To continue, or In addition, or Furthermore, or Moreover,)___________________
Topic sentence (briefly explain your third opinion from your thesis statement):_______________________
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Transitional phrase (e.g., Achebe writes, or Achebe shows,): ______________________
Concrete detail/quote #1 (evidence of your third opinion): “_______________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________”(_____).
Commentary/explanation of quote #1: (This shows/ explains/ suggests that…)___________________________
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Transitional phrase (e.g., Additionally, Moreover, Furthermore,): ______________________
Concrete detail/quote #2 (evidence of your third opinion): “________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________”(_____).
Commentary/explanation of quote #2: (This shows that…/ This reveals that…/ This suggests that…)_________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________________________.
Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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Concluding Paragraph
Transitional phrase: (To conclude, or In brief, or In essence, or In full picture,): _______________________
Rephrase thesis statement: ___________________________________________________________________
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Summarize topic sentence #1: __________________________________________________________________
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Summarize topic sentence #2: __________________________________________________________________
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Summarize topic sentence #3: __________________________________________________________________
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Wrap up! (What can/should readers learn from the topic of your essay? Hint: think about the importance of
shared values, perspectives/point-of-view, struggles, goals, or any “big picture” concern that we share as human
beings):_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Betsy Aguilar, a former student of Mr. McLean, wrote the following essay on the Chinua Achebe’s
novel, Things Fall Apart. Betsy used the above essay structure.
Disclaimer: Mr. McLean did not edit the essay below.
Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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Betsy Aguilar
Mr. McLean
English IV
Period Four
7 April 2015
Analysis of Okonkwo
In some societies today, violence is accepted as part of people’s tradition. Because of violence
being accepted, many men especially find it as the only solution to a problem. In the story, Things Fall
Apart, by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo finds out things don’t always go the way he thinks they should,
things tend to fall apart. Okonkwo’s personality and emotions affect him and others throughout the
story, because he is violent, caring, and traditional.
To begin, Okonkwo is not always considerate, and he often times shows his emotions instead of
expressing them verbally. Achebe writes, “‘Who killed this banana tree?’ he [Okonkwo] asked... As a
matter of fact the tree was very much alive. Okonkwo’s second wife had merely cut a few leaves off it to
wrap some food, and she said so. Without further argument Okonkwo gave her a sound beating” (38).
This suggests that Okonkwo has a short temper and uses violence even when it is not needed .
Additionally, another example is when, “He [Nwoye] went into the obi and saluted his father, but he did
not answer. Nwoye turned round to walk into the inner compound when his father, suddenly overcome
with fury, sprang to his feet and gripped him by the neck. ‘Where have you been?’ he stammered.
Nwoye struggled to free himself from the choking grip. ‘Answer me,’ roared Okonkwo, ‘before I kill
you!’ He seized a heavy stick that lay on the dwarf wall and hit him two or three savage blows” (151).
This clearly shows that Okonkwo did not give Nwoye a chance to explain to his father where he was and
for what reason he was there.
Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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Furthermore, besides being violent Okonkwo can also be caring. Achebe says, “Okonkwo
returned from the bush carrying on his left shoulder a large bundle of grasses and leaves, roots and barks
of medicinal trees and shrubs… ‘Get me a pot,’ he said... He took down the pot from the fire and placed
it in front of the stool. He then roused Ezinma and placed her on the stool, astride the steaming pot. The
thick mat was thrown over both” (85, 86). This shows that Okonkwo cared for Ezinma when she got ill
by going out to find medicinal herbs and preparing them for her. Moreover, “Okonkwo was inwardly
pleased at his son’s [Nwoye] development, and he knew it was due to Ikemefuna… So Okonkwo
encouraged the boys to sit with him in his obi, and… When they finished, each [Okonkwo’s wives]
brought her bowl of foo-foo… Okonkwo tasted from each bowl, and then passed two shares to Nwoye
and Ikemefuna” (52, 53, 54). This reveals that Okonkwo grew fond of Ikemefuna over the years and
treated him just like a son; sitting in his obi, sharing stories, food, and working together.
To continue, what makes Okonkwo behave a certain way is because he is traditional. Achebe
describes, “As the man who had cleared his throat drew up and raised his machete, Okonkwo looked
away. He heard the blow... He heard Ikemefuna cry, ‘My father, they have killed me!’ as he ran towards
him. Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down... ‘If I were you I would have
stayed home. What you have done will not please the Earth’[Okonkwo’s friend, Obierika said]... ‘The
Earth cannot punish me for obeying her messenger’”(61,67). This explains that although Okonkwo did
not need to kill Ikemefuna he still did it anyways because it was their tradition to partake in it .
Additionally, “And then from the center of the delirious fury came a cry of agony and shouts of horror…
In the center of the crowd a boy lay in the pool of blood… Okonkwo’s gun had exploded and a piece of
iron had pierced the boy’s heart… The confusion that followed was without parallel in the tradition of
Umuofia. Violent deaths were frequent... The only course open to Okonkwo was to flee from the clan”
(124). This reveals that without any questions asked Okonkwo was to flee from his clan because of this
incident, according to his tradition.
Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School
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In essence, Okonkwo’s personality brought him much success but in the end it led him to death.
Okonkwo was very violent towards many things including his family. On the other hand Okonkwo
would show he cared about his family especially Ezinma which he was fond of the most. Also Okonkwo
was a traditional man who would do anything to follow his tradition exactly. The reader can see that
Okonkwo is a static character, because all throughout the story he has chances to show he can change
but that is not the case. Okonkwo did have a few good traits such as ambition, determination, and
courage that could have made him a better man, only if he used those traits properly. He used all theses
three traits but so he could get rid of the missionaries once and for all.
Work Cited
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York, NY: Anchor, 1994. Print.
Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Department of English
Ontario High School