Literary Essay Guidelines
(Grades 11 and 12)
Follow this format for novel reviews. Do not simply write a summary. Cover all the following points.
1.
Create a title that reflects the main idea of your paper.
Do not use the title of the book as the title of your essay.
2.
Compose an introductory paragraph.
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3.
Identify the author and title (use italics for title). Date of publication. Number
of pages in the book.
Identify the genre (type): young adult, science fiction, fantasy, adventure,
mystery, western, romance, horror, adventure, war, serious fiction, biography,
autobiography, history, etc.
State why you think this book is worth reading and evaluating.
Create a thesis statement which identifies the focus of your paper, the
main point you will develop.
For our purposes, concentrate on the main characters (protagonist and
antagonist) and on the theme (the message or universal truth behind the story).
Develop the body of the paper. (Each of the following is a paragraph.)
A
Briefly summarize the plot (200 words maximum). Give an overview, no details, only the big
picture. Include description of setting, time frame, situation, circumstances.
B. Identify the protagonist (the character with whom you are most interested or concerned).
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provide the background or history of the character.
describe his/her appearance, looks, environment.
sketch his/her personality, qualities, nature, characteristics.
what is his/her goal, purpose, or situation?
C. Identify the antagonist (the character or force that opposes the protagonist).
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provide the background or history of the character.
describe his/her appearance, looks, environment or setting.
sketch his/her personality, qualities, nature, characteristics.
what is his/her goal, purpose, or situation?
D. Explain the nature of the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist.
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4.
Is it man against man/self/nature/fate?
Why do these two figures come into conflict?
What is the outcome of the conflict?
What does the protagonist learn?
How does the protagonist change?
Write a conclusion in which you state the theme of the story
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What did you learn?
What does this story or book say about the challenges of human life? This is the
theme.
o Do not try to state the theme in one word.
Make a statement about pride or freedom or identity or love or family or whatever subject the story
concerne