Silverstein
Name__________________________________Per___
English 2R
Fahrenheit 451
Literary analysis essay (135 points total)
ASSIGNMENT: Utilize your notes on the novel to create a clear, well-organized and
insightful analysis of how characters guide Montag through his transformation.
 Choose at least two characters who influence him and be clear in how they
influence him and how he transforms.
 Your evidence will come from the author’s use of language to reveal traits of the
characters and a shift in Montag’s character.
 Supporting evidence should include relevant, well-chosen supporting quotes from
the book, which you analyze and integrate smoothly, providing page numbers in
parentheses according to MLA format.
 Your essay should be between one and a half and two pages typed, double
spaced, in twelve-point font.
 Do not forget to bring your printed copy and upload to turnitin.com. Print out
ahead of time to avoid getting marked late.
 Remember: You cannot write a good essay on a book you did not read or
understand—make sure to finish the book and ask questions about what you did
not understand.
 You may only use supporting materials from class—no outside sources such as
Sparknotes—stealing ideas in still plagiarism.
MATERIALS: Include the following in your final draft packet: (135 point total)
-Notes on the novel (30 points)
-Summer reading assignment on the novel (35 points)
-Thesis and topic sentence sheet (on the back of this assignment sheet)(10 points)
-Print out of any email communication we have about the thesis and topic sentences.
(points included in thesis assignment)
-Rough draft (completed on time and including any other support materials) (10 points)
-Final draft of the essay (50 points)
STRUCTURE: Your essay should be structured as follows:
Paragraph 1: Introduction, begin with general commentary on the topic of essay-society, character, etc. and last sentence of paragraph is your thesis (claim).
Paragraph 2-5: Body paragraphs, begin with topic sentence (reasons) and meaningful
supporting quotes with analysis. Remember to include appropriate transitions in
second and third body paragraphs.
Last paragraph: Conclusion, restates thesis briefly, then logically follow up the paper
with a reflection or recommendation.
You may use a standard literary thesis formula:
In Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, _______________ _____________and ___________ help
Montag to realize ________________________________ about himself/his life/society/etc.
OR
In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury portrays a shift in Montag from __________________ to
________________ due to the influence of __________________ and _____________.
OR
Bradbury shows/reveals Montag’s growth into ____________________, because of his
interactions with ______________ and ________________.
THESIS (claim):
TOPIC SENTENCES: (reasons to support claim): (Include transition in all but the first
one, must include at least two topic sentences, one per character who influences
Montag.)
Topic sentence 1:
Topic sentence 2: (Include appropriate transition : examples: in addition, similarly,
moreover, meanwhile, however, despite, although, etc.)
Topic sentence 3: (opitional, include appropriate transition)
REVISED THESIS AND TOPIC SENTENCES: