Great Introductions to Critical Essays
“Happy Endings”
The short story is ripe with flat and static characters whose lives are so mechanical that
they become dehumanized. Much of this nature of their lives can be accredited to the author’s
manipulation of the plot and her choices in syntax. Her plot manipulation gives all the
characters a single ending and thus an ultimately linear path, which her syntax serves to
emphasize.
by Gloria Temple
**Notice how Gloria immediately tackles the prompt and cleanly gives the reader the two style
elements she intends to use. She also gives the reader an indication of how she intends to
employ the style elements in her argument**
“Wish You Were Here”
In both the song and class discussion, “freedom” is the questionable topic. In life we
begin to see things that end up wasting our minds’ space. That useless information begins to
clog up our mind and restricts us from having that freedom. There is no freedom much freer
than the one cultivated within us. In both the discussion and song, we seem to question our
own minds. The imagery and point of view are some clear examples of how it’s about us filling
in the blanks in life, as shown from the poem.
by Maria Arteaga
**Maria begins with an extended thematic statement that will be rounded out later by the
conclusion. She clearly makes a thesis statement that includes the literary elements (imagery
and point-of-view) she will employ to reinforce her point and, additionally, connects it to the
thematic statement**
Thematic Paper
True freedom is often presented as an achievable measure. However, it is something
that is seldom discovered. As humans, our idea of freedom can alter the way we view life and
how we live. In The Matrix, The Little Fable and Happy Endings, freedom is not a simple
concept; the idea of freedom becomes a personal imprisonment that the characters developed
themselves.
by Rebecca and Jazmine
**These two girls begin with a broad thematic statement and then tailor it towards a specific
analysis and synthesis of three works. Their thesis clearly directs the paper and the reader
towards the idea that “freedom becomes a personal imprisonment.”**
“The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”
The past can influence our lives in many ways. William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize winner
and American novelist, once stated, “The past is never dead. It's not even past.” In “The Story
of Edgar Sawtelle,” the past influences the lives of Edgar, Trudy, Gar, and Claude. The setting of
Schultz’s writings on the barn walls and the letters between John Sawtelle and Alvin Brooks
influence Edgar’s imagination and feelings about the dogs. The characterization of Trudy via her
past family history and several miscarriages influences her reactions towards Edgar, and her
ideas of loneliness. Gar and Claude’s relationship as children enhance to the plot by influencing
Claude’s decision to kill his brother.
by Kristine
**Notice how Kristine begins with a thematic statement and then supports it with a quote as a
nice touch. She then breaks down her thesis into three parts that fulfill the prompt – setting,
characterization, and plot elements**
Thematic statement on “Hamlet”
In societies throughout the ages, the struggle for power has been a predominant force
in determining the way people interact with one other. However, no amount of power can stop
death from coming. Everyone dies, both the rich and the poor. Everyone’s body turns to ash
and dust rotting in the earth, from a poor beggar woman to the “Imperious Caesar”. The
inevitability of death can bring anyone to their knees, but despite fear of the inescapable fate,
they ultimately attempt to push that fate prematurely onto others.
by Naomi
**Naomi gives a broad overview of the material in her upcoming essay. She directs her essay
towards exploration of death in a general way so that the reader can relate. She cleverly inserts
another allusion from the Shakespearean play “Julius Caeser”. Her thesis, or guiding idea, is
that people “push that fate onto others.” This is what she will focus on in her paper, not other
issues surrounding death**
“Happy Endings”
As generally middle class human beings, though we often do not realize it, we are
struggling for freedom, making sacrifices, extreme efforts, and suffering. Are we really free in
our quest for this “American Dream” that we have been told by society is our salvation? Or is
this supposed freedom a prison in itself? This idea of freedom is a mold that we have all been
forced through, though it does not seem so. When we are born, we are given three to four
years for our minds to develop, and then we begin school learning for twelve years according to
society’s standards. We are told that the only correct path is to attend college, earn a degree,
start a career, make money, retire, and die. Thousands follow this blueprint to life, and never
seem question it because they feel safe within its rigid structure.
by Ralyn
**Ralyn begins with a broad thematic statement that will be rounded out in his conclusion. He
uses rhetoric to hook the reader into his argument as a clever touch. He argues that freedom
itself is a prison. This central idea stated in his thesis will guide the entire essay. He will not
stray from this idea in fulfilling his promised argument**
“Forbidden Fruit” and “Strawberries”
Women are prejudged because of everything: their reputation; their chastity; their
past; and their desires. Emily Dickinson is using “Forbidden Fruit” and “Strawberries” to show
how women have the same desires of men, but they can never attempt to fulfill them.
by Alyssa
**In this brief, yet efficient introduction, Alyssa writes a clear thematic statement and follows it
with a relevant thesis that breaks down the essay into two parts. She will explore lack of
fulfillment in women in both poems thus synthesizing the two Dickinson works**
“Ars Poetica”
In “Ars Poetica,” the words on the poem are not just words written on the paper, but
rather, emotional imprints that each reader encounters when they read. The author of this
poem reveals such beauty through the use of slow- paced passage of time and a unique choice
of words so that every reader can deeply connect with the poem.
by Jazmine
**Jazmine quickly tackles the prompt to show how poems and people connect. The title of the
poem is only used here because the poem itself is not at hand. She then breaks down her essay
based on the prompt – pace and word choice – to show how the poet achieves this connection
between nature and man**
“Ars Poetica”
In modern society, people become stressed over minute, inconsequential things. In Ars
Poetica, Archibald MacLeish creates a soothing, still atmosphere in order to allow people to
become calm. MacLeish conveys a sense of quiet peace through his paradox of showing silence
with words. He also involves our senses in order to bring us to this tranquil place inside our
minds.
by Kristine
**Here Kristine begins with a thematic statement that will be rounded out in her conclusion.
Kristine uses the name of the poem and author because the poem is not present as it will be on
the AP exam. Her thesis is directed at how calm is created by the poet and will explore from
the stand points of paradox of “silence and words” as well as imagery direct at our senses**