The Kite Runner Exemplars
Body Paragraphs
 The essay needs to have more than 3 body paragraphs. What this means is that you will have to
figure out where to divide up subtopics. If one example is long, then make it one paragraph, and
perhaps combine the other two examples together to make another paragraph.
 Paragraphs need to be at least ½ to ¾ a page. In grade 11 U this is not unreasonable. Be very
careful not to have too many short paragraphs either, if your intro is ½ to ¾ of a page, short body
paragraphs will make the paper seem unbalanced.
 Begin by having a topic sentence that identifies the first point of the thesis you are going to
explain.
 Be clear in directing the reader to all the examples you will discuss in this subtopic: for example
“the first example of love and sacrifice for Amir…”
 Identify the example, explain the example, have a quote to support what you said.
 It is very important that the quote you choose backs up/supports something you said and is not
just some random quote. If they do not fit together you will lose the reader’s focus and attention
as it will not make sense.
 If you wish, you can include a summary sentence for each paragraph. This is not generally
needed, such sentences have a tendency to sound stilted, so be cautious about using them.
 Usually in an essay of 5-7 pages – each example does not require a quote. That being said, it is up
to your discretion. Quotations should only ever make up 30% of your essay, so use them wisely.
 Quotations of more than 4 typed lines have a special format that must be used.
 All quotations must have page numbers associated with them – otherwise your essay is
incomplete.
A Sample Essay Subtopic
Hassan is the most significant person who demonstrated love and sacrifice in the novel since he was
one of the most loving people in the novel. One example was when he “ran” the last kite that was
eliminated from Kabul’s annual kite flying competition. Hassan understood the importance of the kite
to Amir, and knew that he would need the kite in order to be declared the winner of the tournament,
and therefore make Baba proud. When Assef, Waki, and Kamal demanded the kite from him, he
remained loyal to Amir and refused to give away the kite, “’I’m letting you keep the kite, Hazara. I’ll
let you keep it so it will always remind you of what I’m about to do’”(Hosseini 78). Since Hassan
refused to surrender the kite, Assef raped him in order to punish him and show his own power and
superiority as a Pashtun. This event was one of the most important examples of love and sacrifice
because it affected the outcome of Amir’s and Hassan’s relationship and the outcome of the novel.
Hassan sacrificed his innocence by getting raped in order for Amir to keep the kite and make Baba
proud of Amir. Hassan accepts the rape and hardly struggled because of his everlasting love for Amir.