English 10
October 2011
AQWF Final Essay
In Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” Socrates describes a literal journey from an underground cave
into the light of the sun – and an allegorical journey from darkness to enlightenment, illusion to
reality, and ignorance to truth. This journey gives us a framework to think about Paul Baumer’s
journey in the novel All Quiet on the Western Front.
Write an essay discussing Paul’s journey. In what ways is he in darkness or ignorance at the
beginning of the novel, and how does he move to enlightenment, reality, or truth by the end?
Essay structure and content:
1. Introduction
 Introduce the essay topic
 Include the title and author of each text
 Give a brief summary of what you will discuss
 End with a thesis statement (a single sentence expressing the main point of the essay,
the claim you will “prove”).
2. In the cave (first body paragraph)
 Begin with a topic sentence expressing the main point of your paragraph (the idea or
“claim” you will “prove” in the rest of the paragraph).
o Sample topic sentence: In Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave,” people live in a world of
ignorance and darkness. Similarly, in All Quiet on the Western Front, Paul . . . “
 Develop and support the topic sentence. (In what ways does Paul begin the book in a
world of darkness or ignorance? Who feeds Paul and his friends “false truths”? What
are his “false truths”?)
 Provide 2-3 pieces of evidence/examples from the book, connecting each one back to
the main point of the paragraph.
 Include one or more short, embedded quotes with each example. (Use parenthetical
citation.) Be sure to introduce and unpack the significance of each quote.
3. Into the light (second body paragraph)
 Begin with a topic sentence expressing the main point of your paragraph (the idea or
“claim” you will “prove” in the rest of the paragraph).
o Sample topic sentence: “Plato’s scholar struggles to leave the darkness of the
cave and move into the light of truth. Similarly, Paul . . . “
 Develop and support the topic sentence. (What truths does Paul recognize? What
realities does he see? How does he come to see them?)
 Provide 2-3 pieces of evidence/ examples from the book, connecting each one back to
the main point of the paragraph.
 Include one or more short, embedded quotes with each example. (Use parenthetical
citation.) Be sure to introduce and unpack the significance of each quote.
4. Conclusion
 What point have you proven? (Re-state the thesis, connecting it to ideas in paragraphs 2
and 3.)
 Answer the “so what?” question. (Why do these ideas matter? What conclusions can
you draw? How can you relate your argument to something else, a bigger idea
connected to yourself or the world around you?)