Writing A Literary Essay
ENG3U
Structure
Almost all essays have the same basic format:
• Introduction
 4-5 sentences that introduce the topic and give the reader an idea of
what your essay will focus on. This is where your thesis is.
• Body
 The body is divided into paragraphs. It’s where you present your
ideas and evidence in a logical, organized manner.
• Conclusion
 5-6 sentences where you summarize your argument and answer the
“so what?” question
Literary Essays
Literary essays ask you to explore the meaning and construction of a
piece of literature. They do not summarize the story.
Exploring a work’s meaning and construction usually involves looking at
characterizations, themes, symbols, motifs, or the use of language.
Example literary essay topic:
“Othello’s downfall can be blamed on the manipulations of Iago.”
The Introduction
Your introduction should have:
• Hook
 A general statement related to the topic of your thesis.
• Bridge
 1-2 sentences that introduce the author, literary work (in our case,
Othello), give a brief synopsis of the story, and briefly outline the main
points of your essay
• Thesis
 Your thesis should be able to answer the question: “What will you
prove/show through this essay about Shakespeare’s play, Othello?”
First Body Paragraph
Each body paragraph should follow the following format:
• Begin with an opening statement/topic sentence about the topic
you will discuss in the rest of your paragraph (Main Point)
• First Sub-point: defends your opening statement (Sub Point 1)
• Set-up: any explanation necessary to give your proof (quote) context
• Quote/Proof: evidence that supports your Main Point
• Analysis & Tieback: explain how the quote relates to your Main Point
(this is the most important step!)
• Second Sub-point (Sub Point 2), etc.
• Concluding Statement: re-states your topic sentence in a new way
Introducing Quotes
Always try to fit the quote into the sentence in a way that flows naturally
when you read it out loud.
Try to set-up your quote with phrases like:
• In the following passage…
• In this scene…
• In the first scene of Act III…
Example:
In Act I, Iago shows his true intentions to the audience when he states: “I follow
him to serve my turn upon him.” (I.i.44). With these words he reveals that he
has no loyalty to Othello and has been plotting his downfall for some time.
Conclusion
• Present your conclusion in the opposite order of your Introduction
(Thesis >> Bridge >> Hook)
(This means that the first sentence of your conclusion should be a
restatement of your thesis.)
• Do not introduce any new information in your conclusion!
• Your conclusion should answer the “so what?” question.
You’ve introduced your topic and given your evidence, now it’s time to
tell the reader how it’s all connected and why it’s important.
• The conclusion is your last chance to prove your opinion to the reader
so make it powerful!
Citations
Quotes that are 4 lines or less can be included in the body of your essay
in quotations.
Example:
In Act I, Iago shows his true intentions to the audience when he states: “I follow
him to serve my turn upon him.” (I.i.44).
Quotes that are longer than 4 lines must be set apart from the rest of
your sentence, centred and single-spaced. Don’t use quotation marks.
Example: (Indent 10 spaces from the left margin)
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago.
In following him, I follow but myself.
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end.
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart (I.i.59-64).
Formatting
In the upper left-hand corner of your first page should be:
 your name
 your teacher’s name
 your class (ENG3U)
 the date
In the centre of the page, two spaces below the above information, should
be your title. Come up with something creative that gives some hint as to
what your essay will be about. “Othello Essay” is a really boring title.
Double space, indent, and then begin writing your Introduction.
All pages should be numbered!
Example Title Page
J. Languay
Ms. Wiles
ENG3U
25 March 2013
The Villainy of Iago
Shakespearian dramas are as well known for their colourful villains as their
interwoven plots and tragic conclusions. While many notable characters have
filled this role – Macbeth, Richard III, King Claudius of “Hamlet” - few have done
so with the level of intelligence, complexity of character, and moral ambiguity
demonstrated by Iago. In William Shakespeare's “Othello”, Iago’s manipulation of