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Writing Assignments
Formal, Five Paragraph, Literature-based Essay
Keep this sheet in your three ring binder all year!
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
*An introduction should be at least three to four sentences.
*It needs to give the title and author of all works.
*Underline titles of books. Use quotation marks for “poems” and “short stories.”
*State the thesis of the paper. (This is a statement of what you plan to prove in the essay. EX. Huck Finn is an outstanding young man.)
*Give a brief list of the three examples that will be developed in the body to support the thesis. EX. Huck is an outstanding young man because he is intelligent, honest and hardworking. (This is your Plan of Development or POD)
*Use the same order in the body of your essay as you used in the POD.
Paragraphs 2,3,4 – Body
*Each body paragraph should develop one of the examples listed in the POD.
*Use the same order in the body as the three examples listed in the POD.
*Use transitional devices such as first, second, third, etc.
*Make a statement. This is called a topic sentence. (EX. The most important reason Tom is an outstanding young man is because he uses his intelligence to avoid capture many times.)
*Give specific examples from the book to back up or reinforce the statement. (EX. For example, when the two men in the skiff threatened to come aboard the raft to check for runaway slaves, Tom outwitted them by saying his Pap was sick.)
*Use quotes from the book to back up or reinforce the examples. Put the page number of the quote in parenthesis. (EX. The two men in the skiff quickly changed their minds about boarding the raft. One man said, “Set her back, John, set her back” (88). This shows how intelligent Huck was to be able to come up with such a clever ruse on the spur of the moment. (If you are writing an in class essay, or if your book is not available, then use “close quotes.” EX. When the two men in the skiff feared Pap had smallpox, one of them said, “Let’s get the heck out of here!”
*Elaboration- Analyze and explain the quote and its relevance to the novel.
Paragraph 5 – Conclusion
*The conclusion basically restates the introduction.
*Restate the title, author, thesis and three examples (POD).
*If there is a connection to modern society, then this is the place to make that connection. Your conclusion should flow from the data. Avoid saying, “I think.”
Some General Guidelines:
*Use complete sentences. (Fragments are acceptable in creative writing, but do not use them in formal writing.)
*Do not use personal pronouns. EX. First person pronouns (the person speaking): I, my, mine, me, we, our, ours, us. Second person pronouns (the person spoke to): you, your, yours.
*Try not to end a sentence with a preposition. (Incorrect: John is the character she had a disagreement with. Instead, write, “She had a disagreement with John.”)
*Use parallel structure! EX. Mrs. Maguire likes to run, to jump and to play. These verb forms are all infinitives. Don’t mix in a gerund. Incorrect: Mrs. Maguire like to run, to jump and
playing.
*Keep verb tenses the same throughout the entire essay! Use either the past or the present tense.
Elements |
Point Value |
Exc. |
Good |
Fair |
Poor |
Points
Earned Student- Teacher |
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Thesis statement is clearly stated. |
10 |
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In the opening paragraph, there is a concise, well-written plan of development (POD) consisting of three points. |
10 |
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Topic sentences are consistently used. |
10 |
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Transitions between ideas and paragraphs are fluid. |
10 |
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Point one from the POD is supported with clear, relevant examples and quotes. |
10 |
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Point two from the POD is supported with clear, relevant examples and quotes. |
10 |
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Point three from the POD is supported with clear, relevant examples and quotes. |
10 |
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Essay demonstrates a good understanding of the novel. |
10 |
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Conclusion restates the thesis and the POD and results on logical summation of ideas. |
10 |
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Grammar and mechanics are perfect, i.e., no run-on sentences, fragments, or verb tense shift errors. Paper is proofread for spelling and punctuation errors. |
10 |
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Comments:
Total Points:
Rules For Formal Essay
-Double-space all essays. This
does not mean triple or even two and a half spaces.
-Left Justify!
-Include name, block, and date due.
-If paper is late, please mark it “LATE” on the 1st page
EXAMPLE- Due on Sept. 10 submitted on Sept. 17
-If you were absent the day the paper was due, then hand it in promptly upon your return. Please mark the paper “ABSENT” prominently on the 1st page.
-Staple final draft on top of any other drafts. Only include drafts that have significant changes. Formatting, spacing, and margins, etc. are not significant changes.
-Staple your grammar checks (if any) to the bottom.
-No fragments in a formal essay. Use only complete sentences.
-No one sentence paragraphs (except dialogue).
-Underline title of book (or use full caps.) Use quotation marks for poems and short stories.
-Include the title and author in the introductory paragraph.
-Mention all three examples in introductory paragraph. This is your POD (Plan of Development.) Use this same order in the body of your paper.
-Use transitional devices to get from item to item in your essay.
EXAMPLES- "First," "Second," "Third," "Another character who shows a loss of innocence...," “On the other hand.”
-Use specific terms such as “novel,” “play,” etc. instead of the less specific term “book.”
-Use quotations from your primary source. Put page numbers in parenthesis. (We will use more formal footnoting in the spring.)
-Indent and single space long quotes (four or more typed lines).
-Keep our tenses the same.
EXAMPLE- either present or past
-Don’t say, “I think” or “This essay will focus on.” – NO PERSONAL PRONOUNS
-Try not to end a sentence with a preposition.
-Restate your thesis in your concluding paragraph.
Northern Light Essay TEST
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Take Home Essay Test
Assignment Sheet and Pre Writing Guide
Assignment: Write a well-developed, five paragraph, literature based essay using the Formal, Five Paragraph, Literature-based Essay” handout, which is attached.
Thesis: In A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, Mattie Gokey discovers some astonishing revelations about her life and life in general.
Assessment: Fill out the student portion of the “Five Paragraph, Literature-based, Formal Essay Assessment List,” which is attached.
Prewriting And Topic Development: List as many “revelations about life” that Mattie comes to realize during the novel. Be sure to include page numbers, so you can use these ideas in your essay. This is called “textual evidence.” For every example you find, try to find a strong quote that “backs up” your idea. You will need a minimum of three “revelations about life.” It would be best to have a couple of examples for each revelation.
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Write your notes in this space!
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Graphic Organizer for a Five Paragraph Literature-based Formal Essay: After you have brainstormed at least three “revelations about life” and found examples and quotes from the text for each, you are ready to use the graphic organizer below.
TD – Remember to use Transitional Devices!
TD – Remember to use Transitional Devices!
TD – Remember to use Transitional Devices!
TD – Remember to use Transitional Devices!
Drafting, Editing and Revising:
The First Draft of your essay is due ___________________________________.
The Final Draft of your essay is due __________________________________.
Reminders:
Work hard, come in for extra help, and good luck,
Mrs. M. J