Essay Guidelines All essays, unless otherwise specified by the teacher, should be written in the standard 5-paragraph format.

The following is a breakdown of that format. Introduction: The THESIS should be the first or last sentence of this paragraph; it should never be in the middle. Leading up to or from this sentence could be anything, as long as it flows logically. For example, if your essay is about symbolism, you could define symbolism for the reader, as well as outline what that symbol affects (characterization, theme, etc.) This paragraph should be no shorter than three sentences, but may be longer. The thesis is the sentence with the book title in it. Body Paragraph 1: This paragraph begins with your topic sentence, which should be directly and visibly related (i.e., contain key words) to your thesis. The quote, which is what you are using to support your topic sentence, comes after your topic sentence. Then comes an average of three to five sentences for explanation. Five sentences is not a limit; it could be longer. Here is an outline of what this paragraph looks like: 1. Topic sentence 2. Quote sentence (this begins with your own words, and should make sense) Ex.: Correct: Steinbeck writes that Ma accepts her position as citidel of the family (p.120). Wrong: Steinbeck writes that Ma accepts her position as citidel family (p.120). This makes no logical sense; what is a citidel family? Also, if you put quote marks around the page number, youre saying that thats how it appears in print, in the book. We all know page numbers arent in the text! 3. Support Sentences (any number, with a minimum of three). Body Paragraph 2: This follows the same format as Body Paragraph 1. Use transitions between paragraphs. Ex.: Next, Again, Later, Finally, Once again, Therefore, As one can see. Obviously, there are more. Body Paragraph 3: Again, this follows the same format as Body Paragraphs 1 and 2. Conclusion: You have written a whole essay. Therefore, you should have something new to say; DO NOT simply repeat/rephrase your introduction. I can read; I know what you wrote in your introduction! Go out on a limb here, make some predictions (if it fits with the essay), make some generalizations that carry into other parts of the book, or into literature in general. There is NO need to give me the author and name of the book all over again. General Tips (Just a reminder!) 1. Underline book and play titles, put poems and essays in quotes. 2. Spell everything correctly. If you dont, youre sending subliminal messages that you dont really care about this assignment or your grade. 3. NO personal pronouns. That means no I, no we, no our. Use the reader instead. If you want to give your opinion about something, or you think you might be mistaken in some analysis, state it as a fact anyway. Its stronger. 4. Always use present tense verbs. (Ex: she says, not she said.) Per MCAS and college standards, you will be graded on content and mechanics.