Writing Tips
Ms. Hamden
Where to start?
• Choose a topic for your paper
• Decide which characters or events you
want to use
• Flip through the novel to find examples of
characters or events—mark the page
numbers with post-it or write it down
• Start to create a thesis statement, which
will be the central argument of your paper
– Specifically list the characters or events you
plan to discuss in your thesis
I’m stuck on my introduction…
• Include the title and author!
• Italicize the title!
• Start out broad!
– Discuss the topic in general.
– Perhaps give some background
information on Ancient Greece.
• Narrow down to specific events or characters
• End your introduction with the most specific
sentence, your thesis!
– In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his men
endure tests challenging their loyalty to
each other, but ultimately their dedication
prevails.
Body Paragraphs
• Begin each supporting paragraph with a strong statement—
ask yourself, “What point do I want to make in this
paragraph?”
– What examples of loyalty/perseverance are there in the text?
– How should I organize this?
• Support your statement with information from the story
– Don’t summarize! Use QUOTES!
– Follow the story in chronological order
– Use quotes from the beginning, middle, and end of the novel/
play—3-4 quotes per character (approx 10-12)!
– Always introduce the quote with a lead-in, don’t just leave a
quote “floating” in the middle of your argument
– Include page numbers: just the number, followed by the
period.
– Example Sentence
• Odysseus, fearing the wrath of Poseidon, prays to Athena
“Please help me find my way home” (378).
• Make sure you ALWAYS cite correctly!
• Next, logically discuss how this quote
supports your statement.
– Always return to your thesis.
• Transition into your next supporting quote.
– Lead-in to your quote and tie it back to your
argument.
– Never begin or end a paragraph with a quote.
– Don’t make the quotes too long—no more
then 2-3 lines. You should only include the
most important part of the quote!
• Move on to your next point in a new paragraph.
– Begin the process again.
Conclusion
• Restate your thesis—your main argument
• Broaden out your topic, perhaps stating
your points of argument again
• Add additional insights—what did the
reader take away from the story?
• Don’t repeat everything again, make it
interesting!
• Extend yourself!
Remember…
• Your thesis statement is the last sentence of your
introduction paragraph.
• Do not use “I” in your paper! (Usually!)
• Italicize titles– The Odyssey
• Always lead-in to your quote, never “float” them.
• Never begin or end a paragraph with a quote.
• Arrange quotes chronologically—beginning to end of
novel.
• Cite them correctly: Odysseus claims “My name is
Nohman” (388).
• Always proofread; major points for this!
• Submit to www.turnitin.com!
• Print and staple your copy to hand in BEFORE class.
• Do not even attempt to use shmoop, sparknotes, Cliff’s
notes or another website for ANY QUOTES! That is
considered cheating and you will fail and have to re-do
the paper!