The essence of this assignment is the use of textual evidence based on a close reading of the novel.
Remember to provide a word count in the top left column on the essay’s first page. The word count begins with the first word of the essay proper, not including the title, and ends with the last word of the essay proper, not including the Works Cited.
Remember to provide a title for your essay, following MLA documentation style for term papers. The title should provide an introduction to your interpretation of the topic; thus, it introduces the reader to your argument, and, as such, is important.
1) essay structure: brief introductory paragraph focused on textual analysis; linked and unified middle paragraphs that develop a clear line of argument; non-repetitive concluding paragraph that takes the argument one step further, developing the textual analysis.
2) style: conciseness is required, as discussed in class; also accuracy of diction, as discussed in class; correct use of conventions of essays of textual analysis; and correct use of all aspects of grammar, including spelling and punctuation.
3) an insightful and well-proven argument, involving a close reading of the text under study and research sources; good use of textual evidence; and revelation of key themes in the text.
4) correct use of all aspects of MLA format for term papers
Introduction: Keep your introduction focused on your analysis of the text. You could jump off from any analysis of the text mentioned in class or from some analysis of the text that you have read. Then move quickly to your thesis. The Thesis: The thesis comes at the end of the first paragraph and states what your essay will prove.Your middle paragraphs would then explain and prove the parts of that thesis in the order they are stated.Conclusion: Avoid repetition in the conclusion also. You do not want to repeat what you have just said. Instead, keep your analysis moving forward by analyzing a detail you have not yet mentioned. With a little finesse, you can also make this analysis a way of concluding your argument.
Be careful that your quotation or paraphrase actually proveswhat you say it does: evidence and analysis must line up. You should be careful to explain clearly what your quotation proves.
Alwyas present the analysis before the quotation proving it.
Use quotes from the sources provided. First source is the novel and include correct page numbers , second source is the song There is war by leonard cohen.