Due: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 – 9pm using TurnItIn

Speak Essay

You will respond to the topic below and submit an essay as your culminating assignment for Speak. The essay should be at least 4 paragraphs in length, but always feel free to write more. The essay will come from you so there is no reason at all to look at anything online. Each paragraph should contain 4-8 sentences. You must include at least one quote from the novel as well as the page in which the quote appears. Standard rules of written English will apply.

  • Recall all of the rules of writing that we have reviewed: your introduction must include an introductory statement (mentioning title and author), thesis statement; your body paragraphs must contain specific examples to argue your point of view; your conclusion should not focus on your opinion of the novel or be a summary of what you have mentioned in your essay. Also, be sure to avoid using first person (avoid: I think, I feel, my opinion is…, etc.), and avoid using past tense.

Discuss how Melinda’s healing is reflected in her art. You may focus on her tree, her turkey bone project, or both. Be sure to argue a point.

Some helpful hints:

Planning the Essay

  • Read all the passages from the novel that are relevant to your topic. You will have to do some serious re-reading.
  • You will be citing passages from the novel, so take notes on passages that will help you prove your point.
  • Organize your ideas. Use anoutline, which can help in several ways:
  • It helps you organize your thoughts and ideas.
  • It can help you see what you're missing: not enough information, missing support, etc.
  • It can help you see if your ideas are too similar or overlapping.
  • It can help you see connections between ideas.
  • It can help you generate new ideas.

Elements of a Basic Literary Analysis Essay

Introduction: Your introduction needs a few basic elements.

  • You must give the author's name and the title of the book.
  • You must draw your reader in with an attention-grabbing opening.
  • You must state your thesis in your introduction. Many times, the thesis sentence comes at the end of the introduction.

Post introduction paragraphs This is the body of your essay and it's where you develop your ideas. Remember that the typical pattern to follow is CSE:

  • Claim: make a statement (something you believe, that you intend to prove or show, do not use 1st person)
  • Support: support your statement with evidence from the book (prove your claim)
  • Explanation: explain what you say, expand the idea, or connect to another idea.

Remember to include a quote from the novel somewhere in your essay

Conclusion: Connect back to your thesis. You can restate it, but not in exactly the same words. You can also extend the ideas by making a statement about what is important to remember. What are the key ideas that readers should remember after reading your essay? Do not address the reader directly. Remember never to use first or second person in an essay like this.