AMERICAN STUDIES
IN-CLASS ESSAY ON THE BELL JAR (60 pts)
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something else or creates a range of
associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or
enlarge literal meaning. Focusing on one symbol or motif (a recurring symbol, character type,
image, or idea, etc.) in The Bell Jar, write an essay analyzing how that symbol/motif functions in
the narrative and how it reveals one of the themes of the work.
You MAY NOT choose the bell jar itself as your symbol; however, you may discuss the bell jar
in the larger context of another motif such as entrapment/confinement.
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Remember, this is a thesis-driven paper. Your thesis must identify the symbol or motif you plan
to analyze and connect its use in the novel to a universal theme or idea.
Avoid mere plot summary. You must use at least one quote in each body paragraph. Your
quotes should work in tandem with your analysis to demonstrate the larger point of your essay.
When possible and appropriate, you may use more than one quote per paragraph. Try to
streamline quote selections to avoid block quotes or long excerpts that are not necessary to our
understanding of the symbol or theme being discussed.
While your aim is to create a 5-paragraph essay, there have been occasions in which an excellent
4-paragraph essay has scored in the exemplary range. If time is a factor for you, write the best 4paragraph essay you are capable of.
Below is an outline to remind you of key essay components. You will be evaluated with the AP
Writing rubric distributed and discussed in class.
You may fill in the bold items ON THIS OUTLINE and bring them into class on
the day of the essay.
ESSAY OUTLINE:
Introduction
- Opening w/ grabber and intro of author, title, & time period/context:
- Bridge to main idea:
- Roadmap:
- Thesis statement (Be sure to respond specifically to
the essay topic question.):
Body Paragraph 1
- Topic Sentence:
- Set up/Context of 1st Example:
- Integrated Quotes that are appropriate and attributed to someone:
- Analysis that links to thesis:
Body Paragraph 2
- Transition and Topic Sentence:
- Set up/Context of 2nd Example:
- Integrated Quotes that are appropriate and attributed to someone:
- Analysis that links to thesis:
Body Paragraph 3
- Transition and Topic Sentence:
- Set up/Context of 3rd Example:
- Integrated Quotes that are appropriate and attributed to someone:
- Analysis that links to thesis:
Conclusion
- Restatement of your thesis (not word for word!):
- Bridge from thesis to extension
- Extend your thesis meaningfully by connecting the theme to the time period in
general, to the present time, or perhaps other related themes of the work
(Consider a full circle ending in which you relate back to your grabber in some
way.)