ENG 112
1984 Essay Guidelines
When writing about literature, the format is the same (five-paragraph essay format); in addition, the approach is similar to other essays.
You must select what you believe is the major theme/idea expressed in the novel and express that idea in an argumentative thesis statement. The thesis should include authors last name and title of the book in italics:
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee highlights the loss of innocence theme in the central character, Scout Finch.
As with other essays, you select three main points/topics to address. You use those ideas to fill out the intro paragraph, then convert those same ideas into argumentative topic sentences:
Cunningham
Walter Cunningham
Tom Robinson
Things to consider:
An in-text citation for a novel is also the same as other essays: authors last name, year of publication, and page number: (Orwell, 1949, p.24)
Since George Orwell is not a character in the novel, be mindful of using terms or phrases such as Orwell states or Orwell says. Use specific character names, when applicable. If the author includes a situation, you can use Orwell (1953) suggests or Orwell (1953) indicates, or something similar (I only used italics here; do not use italics in your essay).
With each body paragraph, you need at least two in-text citations: argue-support/argue-support. Look over the five-paragraph format and the sample lit essay available on Canvas.
Do not, for any reason, include specific quotes or references in your intro paragraph, topic sentences, or your conclusion.
Cannot use words such as Me, I, Our, Us, My, or anything similar.
Finally, keep in mind that this is not a book report; you do not want to simply re-tell the story. You want to use only that information that supports your main ideas.
Guidelines:
Use APA format for your essay
Before writing your essay, read/review the sample lit essay on Canvas
Essay must be double-spaced, with Times New Roman 12pt font
Word limit is 500-550 words; please do not exceed this limit
Use only one source for your essay: the novel
Submit essay to Canvas as a Word document; no PDF files
Provide a full works cited entry for the novel at the end of the essay