Essay Guidelines
Exploring what makes an effective essay
paper, with student examples.
Prepared by
John DeLaurentis
Effective Essay Introduction
by an Anonymous High School Student – on Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms
It is the nature of the beast within that fuels our
inclination towards conflict and destruction. During the
surreal powers of war, life hangs in the balance setting the
stage for an elite group of individuals who triumphantly rise
above the rest amidst the chaos. As Ernest Hemingway
illustrates in his book, A Farewell to Arms, the character of
Frederick Henry, an ambulance driver, is put to the ultimate
test during the madness and atrocity of World War I. His
experiences at the front pose a challenge only a Hemingway
hero can confront successfully. As the epitome of a code
hero, Frederick is a man of action, self-discipline, and
one who maintains grace under pressure.
(The last sentence (in bold) is the thesis statement detailing
the three points in the code the writer will address.)
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Another Effective Essay Introduction
by Anonymous High School Student - on Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre
“I care for myself,” were the words of Jane Eyre as she
surrendered her love for her paramour, Mr. Rochester
(Bronte 322). In Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, the
reader encounters many themes throughout the
pages of the novel, but the theme of independence
prevails among them all. Jane Eyre’s words of
independence were only guidelines for her life, but
the basis of her decisions made in the critical points
of her life in Gateshead, Thornfield, and Moor House.
(THESIS STATEMENT (in bold)—this one happens to be two
sentences, but it can be one sentence. Note the underlining
of Gateshead, Thornfield, and Moor House—these are the
places where the topic of her independence take place, in the
order they will be discussed.)
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Effective Essay Body Paragraph
First of all, Jane Eyre’s longing for independence becomes
apparent during her stay at Gateshead. (This is the topic sentence
and addresses the first point in the thesis statement.) Mrs.
Reed, Jane Eyre’s cruel and sinister aunt, constantly treats her unfairly
and regards her as a lowly beggar, along with her son who inherits his
mother’s disgust for Jane as well. The torment and constant badgering
leaves Jane alone and hopeless. However, Mr. Lloyd soon arrives to
check up on Jane’s health, and asks her a forever life changing question
of, “Would you like to go to school?” (Bronte 24). From that point, Jane
Eyre reveals her ambition to be independent and remove herself from
the loathsome Gateshead environment, and agrees to attend school.
Mr Brocklehurst, Lowood School’s master, arrives at Gateshead to
meet Jane Eyre, but again Mrs. Reed interferes and tarnishes Jane’s
reputation by regarding her with a “tendency to deceit” (Bronte 33).
Later, Jane Eyre confronts her aunt on her false remarks by finally
admitting, “I am not deceitful: if I were, I should say I loved you, but I
declare I do not love you” (Bronte 36). This small victory of leaving her
aunt speechless and thought of finally leaving Gateshead’s grasp
becomes Jane’s driving force on her quest for independence.
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Effective Essay Body Paragraph continued
Once at Lowood she completes school, teaches for
two years, and acquires the abilities to “teach the
usual branches of a good English education, together
with French, Drawing, and Music” (Bronte 88). The
acquired abilities are then transformed to fuel for her
independence, as she awaits her future job as a selfreliant governess earning thirty pounds per annum.
(This paragraph relates to the first point of the thesis,
and focuses specifically on one place in the
character’s life. The writer uses specific examples and
quotes from the novel for support. Notice the quotes
and citations; also notice the length of the paragraph.)
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Effective Conclusion Paragraph
In conclusion, Jane Eyre’s theme of
independence is engulfed within Jane Eyre where
her decisions and choices to achieve freedom are
displayed in Gateshead, Thornfield, and Moor
House. (This first sentence rephrases the
thesis statement.) As Mr. Rochester once
desired to take control of Jane Eyre’s
independence by keeping her attached to a chain
like his watch, he is finally able to relinquish it and
give Jane Eyre control, but not of the watch, and
instead her independence. (Notice how this
ends with a clincher sentence. Notice the
length of this paragraph.)
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A Word on Citations
When quoting a passage, introduce it with
the name of the character or with your
thought, and use proper MLA formatting:
-Henry muses, “God knows I had not
wanted to fall in love with her” (Hemingway
93).
Use double quotation marks when the
passage has a quote in it by a character:
- “‘I can’t wait six months to be operated on.
My God, doctor, did you ever stay in bed six
months?’” (Hemingway 97).
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A Word on Citations - continued
Remember, when you quote a passage,
you must discuss it critically.You’re not
quoting just to quote. It must relate back
and give evidence to the point you are
discussing.
Utilize the guidelines for answering open
ended questions in the R.S.S.E. model to
help you focus your essay.
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The R.S.S.E. Model


Restate and Answer - Restate the question into a
statement and then answer. Use the exact words from
the question to start your answer.
Support from Text - Pick the best lines of text to
support your answer. Students should also use their
own ideas on how to best show text support for their
answers.
In the story it states, “__________”
On page___ in the story it says, “__________”
As Henry (character name, not the author’s name)
implies, “__________”
Adapted from: https://sites.google.com/a/fredon.org/mrs-harper-s-website/rsse-cheat-sheet
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The R.S.S.E. Model - continued

Support in Your Own Words - Explain
why you selected that line of text and
what it means. Don’t quote text that you
are not going to discuss.
This means ____________________
This shows/
demonstrates___________________
Adapted from: https://sites.google.com/a/fredon.org/mrs-harper-s-website/rsse-cheat-sheet
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The R.S.S.E. Model - continued

E= Extend= Text to Self, Text to Text, Text to World
Self:
Just like in the story, I ________________
I can relate to this because ____________
Text: This story reminds me of another story named
“title” because __________
World: Sometimes in life_____________
Just like in this story, throughout the world
people___________
Adapted from: https://sites.google.com/a/fredon.org/mrs-harper-s-website/rsse-cheat-sheet
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