Understanding Themes in Ayn Rand’s Anthem
Use the scaffolding below to create your five paragraph essay about one of the central themes in Ayn Rand’s Anthem.
You MUST complete the entire scaffold before you can begin your final draft. Phrases and bullet points are acceptable
but they must be specific and show clarity.
Introduction
Paragraph prompt: The themes “a collective group can be toxic” and “individuality is important in building ego” are both
prevalent in Ayn Rand’s Anthem. In a well-developed essay, explain why you feel it is important to explore and
understand ONE of the themes listed above. Please use examples from Anthem as well as examples from your own life.
Name of Part
What is its job?
Hook
To draw the reader into the
essay, to establish the overall
tone and theme of the essay
and to get the reader thinking
about the topic of the essay.
See “hooks” handout for
further suggestions.
Bridge
Introduces the novel or
provides background
information on the topic
presented. If a novel or story
is introduced, the author and
title must be included in the
bridge. If introducing a novel
or story, provide a BRIEF
summary of plot.
Thesis
The writer’s key argument
presented in the essay. Can
include sub-topics.
In the space below, draft your paragraph using the information to
the left as a guide.
Body Paragraph #1
Paragraph prompt: The themes “a collective group can be toxic” and “individuality is important in building ego” are both
prevalent in Ayn Rand’s Anthem. In a well-developed essay, explain why you feel it is important to explore and
understand ONE of the themes listed above. Please use examples from Anthem as well as examples from your own life.
My thesis:
Name
What is its job?
TS
To establish what you
propose… what is the
idea or proposition you
plan to prove or
defend? Make sure it
connects to a prong in
your thesis.
BE CLEAR
Cx
Think ahead to your
CD… What will your
reader need to know
before they read the
CD? The Cx should give
enough background
that the reader
understands how your
CD fits in.
CD
To provide a specific,
clear, and relevant
example which proves
your proposition.
Usually when writing
about literature, a
“directly quoted” word
for word example is
best. Don’t leave it
naked!!
BE CONSISTENT
Cm3
(1)Recapitulate/restate what the
evidence is saying or
what is happening in
the CD.
(2)Explain how that
evidence convincingly
proves your point. Why
is your evidence valid?
Explain how and why
your evidence is good
proof.
(3)What are the
implications of your
point? Echo the
language of your TS.
Answer for your
reader: “so what?”
In the space below, draft your paragraph, using the information to the left as a guide.
Sentence Stems:
-It is important to understand ___________ because……
-To further analyze ____________ one needs to understand……
Body Paragraph #2
Paragraph prompt: The themes “a collective group can be toxic” and “individuality is important in building ego” are both
prevalent in Ayn Rand’s Anthem. In a well-developed essay, explain why you feel it is important to explore and
understand ONE of the themes listed above. Please use examples from Anthem as well as examples from your own life.
My thesis:
Name
What is its job?
TS
To establish what you
propose… what is the
idea or proposition you
plan to prove or
defend? Make sure it
connects to a prong in
your thesis.
BE CLEAR
Cx
Think ahead to your
CD… What will your
reader need to know
before they read the
CD? The Cx should give
enough background
that the reader
understands how your
CD fits in.
CD
To provide a specific,
clear, and relevant
example which proves
your proposition.
Usually when writing
about literature, a
“directly quoted” word
for word example is
best. Don’t leave it
naked!!
BE CONSISTENT
Cm3
(1)Recapitulate/restate what the
evidence is saying or
what is happening in
the CD.
(2)Explain how that
evidence convincingly
proves your point. Why
is your evidence valid?
Explain how and why
your evidence is good
proof.
(3)What are the
implications of your
point? Echo the
language of your TS.
Answer for your
reader: “so what?”
In the space below, draft your paragraph, using the information to the left as a guide.
Sentence Stems:
-It is important to understand ___________ because……
-To further analyze ____________ one needs to understand……
Body Paragraph #3
Paragraph prompt: The themes “a collective group can be toxic” and “individuality is important in building ego” are both
prevalent in Ayn Rand’s Anthem. In a well-developed essay, explain why you feel it is important to explore and
understand ONE of the themes listed above. Please use examples from Anthem as well as examples from your own life.
My thesis:
Name
What is its job?
TS
To establish what you
propose… what is the
idea or proposition you
plan to prove or
defend? Make sure it
connects to a prong in
your thesis.
BE CLEAR
Cx
Think ahead to your
CD… What will your
reader need to know
before they read the
CD? The Cx should give
enough background
that the reader
understands how your
CD fits in.
CD
To provide a specific,
clear, and relevant
example which proves
your proposition.
Usually when writing
about literature, a
“directly quoted” word
for word example is
best. Don’t leave it
naked!!
BE CONSISTENT
Cm3
(1)Recapitulate/restate what the
evidence is saying or
what is happening in
the CD.
(2)Explain how that
evidence convincingly
proves your point. Why
is your evidence valid?
Explain how and why
your evidence is good
proof.
(3)What are the
implications of your
point? Echo the
language of your TS.
Answer for your
reader: “so what?”
In the space below, draft your paragraph, using the information to the left as a guide.
Sentence Stems:
-It is important to understand ___________ because……
-To further analyze ____________ one needs to understand……
Conclusion
Paragraph prompt: The themes “a collective group can be toxic” and “individuality is important in building ego” are both
prevalent in Ayn Rand’s Anthem. In a well-developed essay, explain why you feel it is important to explore and
understand ONE of the themes listed above. Please use examples from Anthem as well as examples from your own life.
My thesis:
Review
Bring the reader back to your thesis,
remind them of what your argument is
and why it is important understand
your argument.
Connect
Connect the concrete details within the
essay to the overall thesis, you should
see a similarity between the details you
presented and your thesis. Make this
connection for the reader.
Extend and Echo
Echo the idea presented in the hook.
Don’t repeat the hook, but use the idea
to create a concluding hook.