Lord of the Flies: Symbol Analysis- (a.k.a. Test)
Guidelines and Suggestions for your Literary Writing
Ports- CP 11 British Literature- 2010
Introduction: follow ANT for the introduction.
• ATTENTION GETTER. The attention-getter should be general and interesting. It should
draw the reader in. It should also connect to the thesis.
• NECESSARY INFO:
o Author’s name (William Golding)
o Title of work (Lord of the Flies) Titles of books should be in italics.
o Very Brief plot summary that builds up to your thesis. (Do not summarize entire story.
Summarize only information that will be needed for the rest of the paper. This might take 12 sentences)
• THESIS:
o Your thesis is the argument of the paper that needs to be supported by everything that follows.
o Thesis: Fire is used as a symbol throughout the novel in the following ways: ….
Body Paragraph – (Follow TIQA):You should have 3 body paragraphs. You must use topic
sentences that relate to the thesis we discussed in class. If you choose to use a different thesis, it
must be approved before you turn in your final paper.
• T Make sure each body paragraph has a TOPIC SENTENCE. It is in the topic
sentence that you should mention what literary device the paragraph is focusing on (fire as
a symbol for…).
• I Make sure that you INTRODUCE your quotes (who said what and in what
context).
• Q Provide QUOTES that support your topic sentence. Use correct punctuation and
APA format: “Ralph cried for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, andfor
his dear friend Piggy” (pg. 202).
• A Provide an ANALYSIS of how this quote supports your argument or your topic
sentence. This should NOT be a restating of the quote, but a thoughtful response and how it
relates to the symbol fire.
Conclusion: (3Rs)
 • RESTATE your thesis; do not rewrite. Say your thesis again, but say it in a
creatively different way.
 Try to RELATE the argument to the broader world.
 • Clincher—ROUND-UP—your last impression to the reader should relate back to the
attention-getter or the title.
Refer to the RUBRIC and examples before submitting your FINAL, TYPED, POLISHED essay.
NOTE: No handwritten essay will be accepted; late papers- 2 pt. deduction each day.
Each piece of literature presents you with a slice of human experience as imagined or perceived
by the author. When you read, study and write about a particular selection, you gain insight into
a new world and discover how it matches up with you own experiences. This is ANALYSIS:
you study, understanding and reaction to the literary work.
PROMPT:
Fire is a key symbol in this book. Discuss how it is used throughout the book. Be specific as
to its use (how, whom, why) and its meaning. Be sure to discuss the changes it undergoes
from the beginning of the book to the end- Chapter 12.
Respond in a well developed essay, including an introduction, three well supported and
developed body paragraphs and a satisfactory conclusion (yep- the famous five paragraph
essay).
RUBRIC:
INTRODUCTION (8 pts)
Begins with an attention grabber; unique and engaging
Identifies author and title correctly
Summarizes main ideas (related to topic)- briefly
Thesis: includes main idea plus 3 supporting points
BODY (30 pts)
Topic sentence w/ transition from thesis
Supporting details/examples/quotes from text
Follow-up analysis/discussion
(focusing on WHY- not WHAT)
2
2
2
3
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2
4
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4
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CONCLUSION (4 pts)
Restates main idea
Relates to real world
Round-up of ideas w/o introducing new topics
2
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2
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OVERALL (7 pts)
Final typed essay has been proofread (no more than 3 errors)- do not
use “you” and maintain present tense when discussing a text
Sentence structure varies & is correctly punctuated
High level of vocabulary is used (no non-specific language)
3
2
2
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TOTAL
50
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