Writing About Literature
Introduction
 Introduce the author and the title of the text.
 Examples:
 The Crucible by Arthur Miller presents themes that
are worth examining still today.
 In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the danger of
hysteria is clearly illustrated.
Introduction example
 The world has always been full of rumor and hysteria
that sometimes have caused cataclysmic events to
occur. What people say matters even though we tell
ourselves, “Actions speak louder than words.” In
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the dangers listening to
hearsay/rumor and the resulting hysteria are clearly
illustrated as the plot of the play unfolds.
Pointers
 Refer to the author after his introduction by his or
her last name only.
 For example: Miller penned an amazingly illustrious
play that clearly points out the dangers of mass
hysteria.
 Use present tense when referring to plot.
 Examples: Abigail threatens the girls with their lives
if they speak.
 Proctor doesn’t want anything to do with Abigail.
 BUT
Past Tense in the Plot
 With the guilt that he has had an affair with Abigail
prior to the opening of the play, Proctor fears
speaking against her.
Format
 Typically 5 paragraphs
 Introduction, 3 body points and conclusion
 Each body paragraph has a topic sentence supported
by textual evidence.
Always REFER to the Text
 Examples:
 In Act I, Line 90, Abigail claims, “it were just sport.”
 In Act II, the reader discovers…
 Irony presents itself in Act III as Elizabeth takes the
stand to testify.
A list of helpful phrases
 The plot reveals
 The author illustrates
 Irony is present
 The author elaborates
 Readers discover
Organization of your essay
 In what ways is John Proctor the tragic hero in this play?
 Identify how each of the following contributed to the insanity of
Salem: greed and revenge, mass hysteria, and superstition.
 Abigail’s faults are quite obvious, but if you were given the job of her
defense attorney, what arguments could you make in her favor?
 A crucible is a pot which, because it can withstand great heat, is
used to melt iron and other metals. The word “crucible” is also used
to describe a severe test or a hard trial. Finally, “crucible” is also
used as an adjective to describe a very high grade steel. With these
possibilities in mind, why do you propose Miller called his play The
Crucible?
Example of thinking model
 In what ways is John Proctor the tragic hero in this
play?
 Brainstorm 3 ways (which is 3 body paragraphs
(YAY)) that Proctor fits the tragic hero.
 What textual evidence will you use to prove your
topic sentences?
Thinking Model Continued
 How will you begin your essay? Introduction
 1. You could briefly define “tragic hero”
 2. You could describe a scene of a tragic hero
 3. You could briefly talk about the history of the play
itself and lead into the tragic heroism
 The Last Sentence of your introduction is your
THESIS statement
Conclusions
 Typically restates the thesis
 Many people end with complimentary or derogatory
(not most) messages toward the author and his
piece.
 Example:
 In this play, Miller masterfully creates a scenario
that illustrates the horrible dangers of rumor and
mass hysteria. In consideration of American history,
it is definitely educational and every teenager should
read it.