Literature Circle Formal Essay
Learning Goals:
1. I understand how to create an argumentative thesis statement.
2. I understand how to write three point, proof, explanation paragraphs.
3. I understand how to write a proper essay introduction and conclusion.
4. I understand how to use a variety of quotation methods.
Description: This assignment is a formal literary essay based on your literature circle
novel.
TOPICS: These topics are meant to present you with ideas…you can come up with
any appropriate argument based on character, theme or setting.
1. Character
a. Choose a character and illustrate three traits he/she exhibits, which help to
overcome obstacles; create an overall argument about that character.
b. Choose a character and show his/her progression throughout the novel.
2. Theme
a. Choose a theme and trace its development throughout the novel.
b. Choose three aspects of the novel which support the overall theme of the
novel (i.e. character, setting, society, government, environment, etc.).
c. Choose three themes and demonstrate how they are exposed throughout
the novel.
3. Dystopian Setting
a. Explain how the novel depicts a dystopian setting.
b. Explain how the dystopian setting affects the novel (characters, themes,
etc.).
Novel: __________________________________________________________
Topic: __________________________________________________________
*Use your literature circle notes to help you brainstorm and come up with your thesis*
Rough THESIS STATEMENT (to be checked by Mrs. Westra):
ESSAY OUTLINE
Introduction:
Broad, general statement about topic:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Novel introduction (eg. Author, title of book, general plot, lead-in to topic)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Revised THESIS STATEMENT:
BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
Topic Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Point 1:
Proof —Context (What is happening at the time in the novel?)
Page #:
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Point 2:
Proof--Context:
Page #:
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Point 3:
Concluding Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
Proof--Context:
_____________________________________________________________________
Page #:
Body Paragraph Two
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Concluding Sentence: __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
Topic Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Point 1:
Proof —Context (What is happening at the time in the novel?)
Page #:
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Point 2:
Proof--Context:
Page #:
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Point 3:
Concluding Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
Proof--Context:
_____________________________________________________________________
Page #:
Body Paragraph Two
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Concluding Sentence: __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
BODY PARAGRAPH THREE
Topic Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Point 1:
Proof —Context (What is happening at the time in the novel?)
Page #:
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Point 2:
Proof--Context:
Page #:
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Point 3:
Concluding Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________
Proof--Context:
_____________________________________________________________________
Page #:
Body Paragraph Two
Explanation:
Link (to point and overall thesis):
Concluding Sentence: __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION:
Restatement of Thesis (fresh, new way):
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Final Thought about the Topic:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Last Thought about the Human Condition:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Things to remember when you start writing your first draft…
o Third-person point of view
o Present tense for novel events
o Formal writing rules
o Proper quotation integration
o Use different styles
o Examples: dialogue tags, a complete sentence introduction,
integrate quotation into your own sentence, paraphrasing
Peer Assessment: The Formal Essay Rough Draft
Name of Writer:_________________________________ Name of Peer Editor: ______________________
Rate each item according to levels:
4 = excellent 3 = meets expectations most of the time
R = remediation needed (below level)
2 = not quite on target
1 = limited evidence of expectations
Title:
Does the title reflect the topic and “hook” the reader?
4
3
2
1
R
Are there three sentences? (the hook, introduction to the novel, thesis statement)
4
3
2
1
R
Does the first sentence hook the reader?
Does the introduction to the novel include the title, the author, and information that relates to the overall
topic?
Does the thesis statement include an overall argument and three clear aspects/prongs? Are the
aspects/prongs parallel?
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Does each body paragraph start with a topic sentence?
4
3
2
1
R
Does each topic sentence contain a transition, the overall argument and the paragraph aspect/prong?
4
3
2
1
R
Are there 3 clear points, proofs and explanations in each body paragraph?
Are transitions used between points?
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Are there at least 6 direct quotations used throughout? 9 proofs total?
Do they use different methods for using quotations?
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Is each proof followed by a page number in brackets?
Are the quotations used properly? (introductions, punctuation, etc.)
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Do discussions explain the specific point AND the overall argument?
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Are there three sentences? (restatement of thesis, statement still related to novel, broad statement
about topic)
4
3
2
1
R
Is the thesis restated in a fresh new way?
Does the last sentence relate to society or human nature in general?
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Are formal writing rules followed? (present tense, third person, no contractions, etc.)
Is proper assignment format complete?
4
3
2
1
R
4
3
2
1
R
Is the argument convincing overall?
4
3
2
1
R
Comments:
Introduction:
Comments:
Topic Sentences:
Point, Proof, and Explanation
Comments:
Concluding Sentences:
Does each body paragraph end with a concluding sentence?
Conclusion:
Comments:
Spelling and Grammar:
Check spelling and grammar.
Comments:
Other aspects to check:
Formal Essay Evaluation Rubric:



Outline Complete
Peer Editing Complete
Proper Assignment Format Complete
Criteria:
Title
R
-no title
Introduction
-does not move
from general to
specific
-does not include
title, author, setting
- only 1-2 sentences
Thesis Statement
- overall argument
clearly stated with
three parallel
aspects/prongs
- one clear
sentence
- thesis not clear or
not present
Body Paragraphs
- points do not
develop thesis
- proofs and
explanations nonexistent or irrelevant
Conclusion
- not present or only
1 sentence long
- doesn’t restate
thesis
MLA In-text
Quotation
Citations and
Works Cited
-little attention paid
to or no citations
and works cited
page
-remediation needed
-errors prevent
comprehension
Grammar
&
Mechanics
Style
Name: _____________________________
-no transitions
-vocabulary very
simple
-sentence variety
poor
-narrative point of
view very
inconsistent
-verb tense very
inconsistent
1
-very weak title
2
-conventional title
- does not move
from general to
specific or attempt
to captivate reader’s
interest
- does not include
title/ author/ setting/
reference to plot or
author’s purpose
- lacking in length
- thesis is not clear
or too broad
moves from general
to specific: doesn’t
attempt to captivate
reader’s interest
- includes title,
author, setting,
addresses plot/
author’s purpose
- topic stated
generally
- one controlling idea
in thesis
- argument stated
generally
- aspects/prongs not
parallel
- moves from general
to specific: provides
“hook” to interest
reader
- includes title, author,
setting, addresses plot/
author’s purpose
- one controlling idea
in thesis
- gives clear direction
for argument
- aspects/prongs
parallel
- one controlling idea
in thesis
-argument outlined
specifically yet
concisely
- aspects/prongs
sophisticated and
parallel
- points are
vague/not enough
points made to
develop argument
- proofs not always
present (weak)
- explanations weak
(significance of
proofs not
established)
- little variety of
quotation style
- vaguely restates
thesis
- only summarizes
plot
- only 1-2 sentences
long
-many errors in
citations and on
works cited page
- points are general
- adequate proof
(specific examples,
some quotes)
- introductions to
quotes not provided
- explanations
adequate but not
convincing
- some variety of
quotation style
- points are relevant
-proofs are wellchosen; concrete
examples
-quotes used, with
good introductions
- explanations well
done, establish
significance of proofs
-variety of quotation
style
- points are insightful
- proofs and
explanations are
impeccable
- relevant quotations
incorporated fluidly
with great variety
- restates thesis using
existing words/
phrases
- concluding remarks
refer to novel’s
plot/purpose
-some errors in
citations and on
works cited page
- restates thesis in new
way
- concluding remarks
are interesting and
thoughtful
- restates thesis in
fresh, original manner
- moves from specific
to general
- offers significant
insight into novel
-flawless citations and
works cited page
-several errors
restrict
understanding
-some minor, careless
errors
-errors occasionally
restrict understanding
-transitions/
-transitions/
vocabulary are poor
-many awkward
sentences; lacks
sentence variety
-narrative point of
view changes
frequently
-verb tense shifts
frequently
vocabulary adequate
-some sentence
variety; moderate
sentence structure
(some incomplete or
awkward)
-narrative point of
view is inconsistent
- present tense
inconsistent (or all past
tense)
3
-good title
-good attention to
detail when citing
quotations and on
works cited page
-few errors
-writing is generally
accurate
-transitions/
vocabulary good
-good variety and
structure of sentences
-uses third-person
point of view
effectively
-present verb tense
mostly consistent
4
-excellent title (use of
effective literary
device)
- moves from general
to specific: captivating
beginning
- includes title, author,
setting, addresses
plot/author’s purpose
-very few if any errors
-mastery of language
conventions
-transitions/
vocabulary engaging
-exemplary variety and
structure of sentences
-uses third-person
point of view skillfully
-present verb tense
throughout
Overall Level:
Level