Introduction
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Hook
- Purpose is to make a statement that draws the reader’s attention and makes them
want to read further
- Generally makes some sort of broad statement
Ex: Personal ambition and the drive for success are things that every person strives
for. However, when extreme measures are taken to achieve this success, the results
can be costly.
- Try to avoid asking a question – it’s too cliché
Ex: Have you ever had the need for success take over your life?
Topic – includes title and author and main point
Ex: The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare explores the darker side of human nature. This
darker side can be seen through various themes, events, motifs, and symbols the author uses
throughout the play.
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Thesis – tells the audience exactly what your paper will be about, paragraph by
paragraph
Ex: Macbeth shows readers that allowing too much ambition to drive one’s actions can corrupt
one’s self and result in dire consequences. Shakespeare uses the plotting of Duncan’s
murder, the motif of hallucinations, and the symbol of bloody hand to illustrate this theme
throughout the play.
Body Paragraph
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Main Idea/Topic Sentence – tells the main idea of
that paragraph
Ex: The event of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
plotting to kill Duncan sets up their over-ambition
and begins their corrupt drive.
Incorporating Quotations
Evidence
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Be sure to introduce the quote before citing
Ex:
Don’t say “We fail/But screw your courage to the sticking place/And we’ll not fail” (I.vii.69-71).
Instead, say When Macbeth first falters in the plan to kill Duncan by suggesting the consequences if they fail, Lady Macbeth replies with,
““We fail/But screw your courage to the sticking place/And we’ll not fail” (I.vii.69-71).
When you introduce your quote, the reader understands the context behind it.
Analysis/Commentary – explain the point you are making through your quote (tie back to your thesis!)
Ex: In order to get Macbeth to stop worrying about the consequences of their actions, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to act more
like a man and complete the murder. By stating these words, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth begin down the path of corruption,
where they will go to any lengths to achieve the power they so desire.
Repeat quote and commentary
Link in body paragraph – purpose is to transition from one paragraph to the next
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While the plotting of murder leads them down the path of corruption, the recurrent motif hallucination illustrates how the
corruption created by the desire for power eventually drives Macbeth and Lady Macbeth mad.
Repeat body paragraphs 2 more times
Conclusion
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The conclusion is your last chance to summarize your
main point to your reader
It should work almost the opposite of your
introduction paragraph
- Start by restating your thesis
- End with larger statements about how what you
are talking about extends beyond the novel (think
about relevance to today’s world)
Additional Tips
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DO NOT USE 1st or 2nd person – I, you, me, etc.
- your paper should be written for a general audience, pretend anyone
may read your paper
- that means no “As you can see….” “In my opinion..”
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Show the point you are making through your words, not by “telling” the
reader
- DO NOT say “I am going to show/tell you about..” or “I just showed you
how….”
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Make sure each body paragraph has at least 2 direct quotes from the text
Yes, that means you are going to have to go back through the text to find direct
quotations and page numbers!
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Use examples from the novel, not the movie – if your example is not from
the novel, you will lose points