Writing

SUMMARY WRITING: Somebody Wanted But So Then Finally

• Somebody: Who was the main character?
• Wanted: What did the main character want?
• But: What was the problem?
• So: How did the main character try to solve the problem?
• Then: What happens after the problem is resolved?
• Finally: How does the main character find closure

LITERARY ESSAY TIPS

1. Make it easy on your reader.

• Set up your body paragraphs so they describe the events of the book in chronological order. Then be sure if you reference the events in your body paragraphs within your introduction or conclusion, you do so in that same chronological order.
• Also, if you are comparing two works in your essay, be sure you discuss these works in the same order throughout your ENTIRE paper. If you talk about one text first, you should ALWAYS talk about that one first. This includes your thesis statement.

2. It’s not about you or me.

• Write in 3^rd person and be specific. NEVER use 1^st or 2^nd person pronouns such as I, me, my, we, our, you, your in a thesis essay unless you are directly quoting the text.

3. Because a book is considered current, use present tense, active verbs. (see below for video tutorial)

• Helping verbs and “to be” verbs are not your friends! Stay in the present for your argument.
  • NO: Mrs. Dubose had appeared innocent enough sitting on her porch.
  • YES: Mrs. Dubose appears innocent enough just sitting on her porch.

4. Quote accurately!

• Be sure that your quotation is copied exactly as it appears in the book! Your punctuation should match the book. Your spelling should match the book. Be accurate!
• Do NOT introduce the quotation by saying what page it is on, chapter it is in or saying it is a quote at all. Instead, introduce the quotation by setting the scene and citing the speaker/narration. Then write the page number in parentheses after the quotation and ending with a period.
  • NO: Atticus gives a closing argument on page 203. “To begin with, this case should never have come to court. This case is as simple as black and white”. This quote shows that he believes in his client’s innocence.
  • YES: In Atticus’ closing argument he asserts his client’s innocence, explaining, “’To begin with, this case should never have come to court. This case is as simple as black and white’” (203).

5. Don’t just talk about “this” and “that” or “he” and “she”.

• Be careful about tossing around vague pronouns in your writing, especially at the start of new paragraphs. It only confuses your reader. Be specific!
  • NO: He is confused by it.
  • (A reader might have to look back to remember what “it” refers to or who “he” is in order to understand.)
  • YES: Jem is confused by the outcome of the trial.
• Of course, you want to avoid repetition: these vague pronouns may be appropriate in situations where you have just references the person, incident, or event. Use your best judgment.

6. Assume your reader might take a phone call in-between paragraphs!

• Don’t just jump into a new paragraph; the point of a paragraph is to have a pause and then “re-set.” Avoid the use of pronouns in your topic sentence.
  • NO: Another example occurs during the mob scene…
  • YES: Another example of a child teaching adults occurs during the mob scene in front of the courthouse when Scout….
• Each topic sentence must reset the scene without sounding repetitious! Some sample ways to begin paragraphs or to transition from example to example include:

1. The first example of _________ occurs when _________.
2. Another instance of _________ occurs when __________.
3. Just like _________ happens at the beginning of the story, _________ happens toward the end when _________.
4. _________ acts in a way similar to _________ when. . .
5. In a final example . . .
6. An additional scene illustrating _________ occurs when. . .

7. Another character (or incident) who highlights the theme of _________ is _________.

7. Do NOT use an informal, conversational tone when writing a formal, thesis analytical essay. Avoid using slang, idioms or contractions as it makes your paper too casual sounding.

Source: Kelly Conklin/7 Green