Name:

Composing a thesis statement – Things Fall Apart

This part of the planning is due Friday 10/23

Step one: Identify your topic. What is the question you will be addressing?

Step two: Write one sentence identifying the argument you will be making. What side will you take? This is your main idea.

Step three: Organize your supporting details into three or more categories that will become the subjects of your three body paragraphs. You will use these topics to support your main idea above.

  • ______
  • ______
  • ______

Step four Thesis: Combine steps two (main idea) and steps three (supporting points) to make your thesis statement. Main idea + transition word/phrase + supporting idea 1, supporting idea 2, supporting idea 3:

Your introductory paragraph should include:

  • An interesting first sentence – the hook or grabber
  • The authors full name (Chinua Achebe)
  • The full title of the book – italicized (Things Fall Apart)
  • The context (where, when, what) – or any information that the reader will need to understand the thesis and direction of the paper.
  • The thesis – including at least three points you will discuss (in the order you will discuss them in your paper).

The body of the paper will develop and support your thesis. You are building an argument to make the reader believe that your interpretation and opinion is interesting, important, and valid. You can assume that the reader (your peers and I) has already read this novel therefore you do not have to describe the plot or summarize the story in great length – spend your energy on analysis instead. Each paragraph of your essay should discuss one sub-topic that supports your thesis. I want you to have at least 3 body paragraphs.

Remember, when quoting to keep it short (use ellipses … if you need to cut information out). Quotes should be incorporated into your paragraph smoothly – don’t just throw them in – only use them when they are truly needed to strengthen a point and you can explain them. Introduce them (who is speaking) and explain why they are important. Quotes longer than four lines must be single spaced, indented, and do not use quotation marks. Don’t forget to show the page number in MLA format” (45).

This part of the planning is due Monday 10/26

Body Paragraph 1 – Topic Sentence (first supporting point in your thesis):

______

______

  1. Evidence:
  2. Description(quote or paraphrase or summarize):
  1. Analysis (How does it prove your thesis?):
  1. Evidence:
  2. Description(quote or paraphrase or summarize):
  1. Analysis (How does it prove your thesis?):

Clincher (Concluding) Sentence (How does the whole paragraph prove your thesis?):

Body Paragraph 2 – Topic Sentence (second supporting point in your thesis):

______

______

  1. Evidence:
  2. Description(quote or paraphrase or summarize):
  1. Analysis (How does it prove your thesis?):
  1. Evidence:
  2. Description(quote or paraphrase or summarize):
  1. Analysis (How does it prove your thesis?):

Clincher (Concluding) Sentence (How does the whole paragraph prove your thesis?):

Body Paragraph 3 – Topic Sentence (third supporting point in your thesis):

______

______

  1. Evidence:
  2. Description(quote or paraphrase or summarize):
  1. Analysis (How does it prove your thesis?):
  1. Evidence:
  2. Description(quote or paraphrase or summarize):
  1. Analysis (How does it prove your thesis?):

Clincher (Concluding) Sentence (How does the whole paragraph prove your thesis?):

In the conclusion, you will want to come back around to your thesis statement – this does not mean you should state it exactly as it was in the introduction. The goal of the conclusion is to wrap up the argument and leave your audience persuaded (but don’t introduce new information). You want to make a bold statement based on the information in your essay – give the reader something to think about – show your own insight/perspective. Tell us why this is important to know or think about.

After printing out your essay on Mon or Tues…

  1. Highlight your thesis and supporting arguments in your introductory paragraph.
  2. Highlight your topic sentence and concluding sentence for each of your body paragraphs.
  3. Circle one comma you used, one semicolon, one colon or dash.
  4. Answer the three questions below:
  5. As you brainstormed, planned, and wrote your essay, what was easy for you?
  1. What was hard for you?
  1. What would you do differently or what goal do you have for improvement for the next essay?