1. Demonstrate clear, logical, insightful, original thinking about the assigned topic.
2. Whichever option you choose be sure to state your thesis clearly. Have a very clear sense
of what you want your readers to learn from your essay. Make sure the thesis states what
the body of the paper actually supports.
3. Assume readers already know the plot of each story. Work to keep summarizing to a
minimum.
4. Be sure to distinguish between plot and theme.
5. Support your thesis with at least three supporting points. Provide and discuss the
significance of evidence for each point.
6. Provide examples from the story to illustrate and support your claims. Include a
minimum of two (2) direct quotes from the story.
7. Avoid tangents and overly long quotes or summaries.
8. Consult at least (3) three secondary sources of information relating to the story under
consideration.
9. Include in-text citations for information gathered from the story and each of the three
additional sources.
10. You should have an interesting and informative title that clearly and specifically reflects
the content of the essay (and especially of the thesis).
Provide an introduction that includes a “hook” to get readers interested.
12. Each body paragraph should have a clear focus and support the thesis of your essay.
13. Use appropriate transitions between each section of your essay.
14. When you refer to the plots and characters of the works in your own words, use present
tense verbs. When you quote, leave verb tense as it is in the story.