FRANKENSTEIN ESSAY
We’ve spent a ton of time on Frankenstein these last few weeks. You know the text, you know the story, you know the
characters. It’s time to put that knowledge to use in an analytical essay that displays everything you’ve learned and more.
Your Assignment
You will write an essay on an analytical topic for Frankenstein. You may pick any of the prompts below, or you may
choose a topic of your own if you wish. If you decide to venture out on your own, you must come talk to me and get your
topic approved beforehand. Some prompts to consider:
 Who is really the monster?
o A lot of terrible things happen in Frankenstein, but who is really to blame? Who is really responsible for all
the devastation and destruction? Who is really the monster – Victor or the creature?
 What is the role of women in Frankenstein?
o Despite few female characters, femininity and motherhood play an important role in the novel. How does this
novel view femininity? What is this novel saying about motherhood? What about Justine and Elizabeth?
How are they portrayed? What is Shelley really saying about the role of women?
 Does Victor actually learn a lesson?
o Looking at the way he acts, the advice he gives to Walton, the way he has lived his whole life, his interaction
and battle with the creature – has Victor Frankenstein actually learned a lesson?
 How does Shelley develop the theme of isolation?
o One of the biggest themes present throughout the novel is isolation. Shelley continually shows the negative
and detrimental effects isolation can have through Victor, the creature, and other characters. How is Shelley
able to develop this theme throughout the novel and what is her overall message about isolation?
The Requirements
 You need to write at least a 2 page, typed essay in MLA format (that does not mean one page and one line on a
second page – you must have at least 2 full pages – and honestly, that’s on the short side…)
 You need to include quotes from Frankenstein that support your argument.
 You must have in text-citations and a works cited page!
 You must follow the proper MLA format for writing an essay.
Your audience
Your audience is anyone who has read the play, but not recently. So you can assume that they are familiar with the
characters and plot. You don’t need to give a huge plot summary, but be sure to give brief, focused review of any specific
events in order to give your essay context. Although your audience is anyone who has read the play, I am your evaluator.
Make sure you keep your tone, diction, syntax and analysis academic.
The Packet
In this packet you will find a space to do each of the following tasks. You should have each approved by me in order:
 An argument with solid reasons of support
 A thesis that clearly states your argument and reasons of support
 Strong topic sentences for each of your body paragraphs
 Quotes and analysis that prove your argument and relate to your topic sentences and thesis
DUE DATES:
Packet: Friday, 4/4 – Your packet should be fully signed off by me so you can have it with you over break.
Rough Draft: Wednesday, 4/16 – Must be typed! We will spend the day peer editing in class!
Final Draft: Tuesday, 4/22 – Your best possible version possible! Typed. MLA formatting. Works Cited page.
Submitted to Turnitin.com. BAM!
Happy writing!
PLANNING OUT YOUR ARGUMENT
This is a space for you to plan out your argument. This may seem simplistic. It’s not. If you don’t have
a concrete argument from the start, you will have nowhere to go in your essay. The more detailed and refined
your argument, the more structure your essay will have. More structure = easier to write = better grade.
Your argument
What is your topic? What are you trying to prove? What do you believe? What are you arguing?
Your reasons
What are the reasons you believe this? Why do you think this?
Reason #1 (What will ¶ 1 be about?):
Reason #2 (What will ¶ 2 be about?):
Reason #3 (What will ¶ 3 be about?):
Your Proof
What proves your argument is correct? What examples from the text can you use to back up your opinion?
DO NOT WRITE QUOTES HERE! WRITE EXAMPLES! YOU CAN FIND EXACT QUOTES LATER!
Reason #1 Proof


Reason #2 Proof


Reason #3 Proof


Approval/Date:_________________
THESIS AND TOPIC SENTENCES
So now that you know what you are arguing, you have to get down to actually writing about it. The first
thing you have to do is write a good thesis that will give your essay enough structure to let you write a solid,
focused essay. You have to also make sure you focus on theme within the analysis of your essay. Once you
have your thesis down, then you have to write topic sentences that will give your paragraphs enough structure.
Take the time to do this now and the rest of your essay will be much easier. Trust me.
Your thesis
You’ve got your argument. You’ve got your reasons. Now put it all together and make a strong statement
about theme to prove why your argument matters. Remember! – your thesis is your whole essay in one
sentence and it has to be a claim! IT HAS TO ANSWER THE “SO WHAT?” QUESTION I should be able to
read your thesis and know exactly what you are arguing.
Your argument + your reasons + theme = your thesis!
Approval/Date:_________________
Your topic sentences
You already know what your three paragraphs will be about since you set that up in your thesis. So now write
the topic sentences for those body paragraphs. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR ARGUMENT IN YOUR TOPIC
SENTENCE! A TOPIC SETENCE CANNOT BE PLOT BASED!
Thesis (Argument/Claim) + Reason One = Body Paragraph One Topic Sentence
Thesis (Argument/Claim) + Reason Two = Body Paragraph Two Topic Sentence
Thesis (Argument/Claim) + Reason Three = Body Paragraph Three Topic Sentence
Body Paragraph One T.S.
Body Paragraph Two T.S.
Body Paragraph Three T.S.
Approval/Date:_________________
Your Quotes and Analysis
Once you know what you are arguing, how your essay will be structured and the topic sentences you want to
use, now you need to spend time finding significant and impactful quotes that will actually prove your point.
Rewrite your topic sentences, then work to find good quotes, then analyze those quotes thoroughly to explain
how they prove your argument.
TS #1:

Quote #1:
Analysis (X2):

Quote #2:
Analysis (X2):
TS #2:

Quote #1:
Analysis (X2):

Quote #2:
Analysis (X2):
TS #3:

Quote #1:
Analysis (X2):

Quote #2:
Analysis (X2):
Approval/Date:_________________