Sue Bull
September 3, 2008
from Johnny Got His Gun
by Dalton Trumbo
Point of View
This is a statement that characterizes the relationship between the young man and his
father in the excerpt from Johnny Got His Gun.
This is a summary that states the focus of the piece and its key points concisely. It should
be a well-developed paragraph. See the plot summary of “Araby” on page seven of your
anthology under “plot” for an excellent example of how a plot should be stated fully yet
succinctly. Your plot summary might need to be even more succinct than the “Araby” plot
summary to keep your paper to one page.
This should be a topic sentence that is clear, focused, and compelling. This paragraph is a
discussion of one of the key aspects of the element, such as point of view, being studied. The
discussion should explain how the aspect of the element contributes to meaning (your stated
theme) or the element assigned (such as is the case with the excerpt from Johnny Got His Gun).
It should include integrated quotes from the text. All usage of quotes should be explained or
commented on as to its effect. That’s analysis. This should be a well-developed paragraph with
extensive discussion of the aspect with one or more examples. Your paragraphs should be long
enough to discuss the idea sufficiently, but the paper must not exceed one page. You may use
single spacing or 1.5 line spacing.
This should be a topic sentence that is clear, focused, and compelling. This is a discussion
of a second key aspect of the element, such as point of view, being studied. The discussion
should explain how the aspect of the element contributes to meaning (your stated theme) or the
element assigned (such as is the case with the excerpt from Johnny Got His Gun). It should
include integrated quotes from the text. All usage of quotes should be explained or commented
on as to its effect. That’s analysis. This should be a well developed paragraph with extensive
discussion of the aspect with one or more examples.
This is a final pithy and wise sentence to conclude the essay that does not merely restate
the theme.