BASIC ESSAY STRUCTURE
INTRO PARAGRAPH:
“Motivator” or “Lead-in” – This is optional – comprised of the introductory slides
from your presentation
Title slide: “Not every journey takes place on the road.”
Explanation:
In many works of literature a physical journey is a metaphor for
internal change.
Thesis – YOUR Thesis slide – but focused on the ONE book YOU read
Thesis: The journey a character takes often parallels changes or growth that occurs
within that character. In the “Telemachy,” which includes books 1-4 of Homer’s Odyssey,
Telemachus is just such a character.
Blueprint – Suggests the STRUCTURE of your essay – indicates topics for body
paragraphs.
Blueprint: Telemachus embarks on a journey to find news of his father, who has been
missing for twenty years. In the process of this search, his character develops from an
immature, insecure “boy” into a strong, self-assured man, the true Prince of his
kingdom.
BODY PARAGRAPHS – Topics are indicated by the BLUEPRINT
Paragraph 1 – Initially, Telemachus is _____________ as very immature.
 Provide DIRECT references to text (paraphrase or quote) AND citation (21).
Paragraph 2 – Through his journey to find word of his father, Telemachus begins to
___________
 Provide DIRECT references to text (paraphrase or quote) AND citation (25).
Paragraph 3 - At the end of the epic, Telemachus is no longer a boy; he is decidedly a
man.
 Provide DIRECT references to text (paraphrase or quote) AND citation (29).
CONCLUSION – Restate/Summarize
RESTATE/REPHRASE your thesis: Same ideas – DIFFERENT WORDS
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY for each body paragraph
“CLINCHER” - DEFINITIVE - DECLARATIVE STATEMENT that brings
the discussion to a close
Often in literary works, a journey is much more than a journey; it is a means for
character growth and change. This is most certainly the case for Telemachus in Homer’s
Odyssey. As Telemachus begins his quest for his father, he might at most be called adolescent
in behavior and attitude. As he faces challenges, and as Athena provides experiences that both
stretch and encourage him, he begins to develop a much stronger sense of self, which results
ultimately in Homer naming him – not “boy” – but “Prince Telemachus, true son of the King.”
Without a doubt, Telemachus’ “road” made him.
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
Sample Thesis/Blueprint: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a clear illustration of the statement, “Wisely
and slow; they stumble that run fast.” Through his characters as well as through foreshadowing and
irony, he suggests that there are always negative consequences for impulsive behavior.
Body Paragraph Structure:
o Topic Sentence: Transitional phrase, reference to thesis, reference to part of blueprint
o First of all, Shakespeare’s characters Mercutio and Romeo both illustrate the unfortunate results
of hasty choices.
o Secondly, foreshadowing incidents indicate that there will be negative events that flow from
reckless acts.
o Finally, Shakespeare’s use of irony offers eloquent evidence that tragedy is the natural and
inevitable consequence of rash behavior.
NOTE: Variety of vocabulary:
o suggest, illustrate, indicate, offers evidence
o negative consequences unfortunate results, negative results, tragedy
o impulsive behavior, hasty choices, reckless acts, rash behavior
Climactic order: Transitional phrases AND ideas suggest increasing importance
o Supporting evidence from text, explanation, link to thesis
o Concluding sentence
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What is utopia? The dictionary defines it as the perfect place, free from conflict or difficulties of any
kind. However, the ancient Greeks felt that such a place could never exist. In fact, their word for “perfect
place” – or “utopia” – in fact means “no place.” They believed that utopia is impossible to achieve. Many
science fiction writers share this opinion. In Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, the author supports the idea that
utopia is impossible through her use of diction and irony.
Utopia is impossible. Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, supports this idea. Lowry proves perfection is
impossible through her use of irony and diction.
The dictionary defines utopia as “perfect society.” But is it possible to create such a world? Lois Lowry
clearly feels utopia is impossible, and supports this idea in her novel, The Giver. In The Giver, Lowry uses
diction, irony, and characterization to show that an attempt at utopia will result in dystopia.
Many science fiction writers use their stories to prove that when a society tries to achieve perfection, it
often creates a dystopia instead. Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, is such a work. The community attempts to be
utopian, but miserably fails. Lowry communicates this failure through…
“It’s not what an author shouts, but what he whispers that is most important.” In other words, what an
author conveys “between the lines” is more telling than the literal words on the page. Many literary works
include literary elements and devices that provide subtle hints to the meaning or message in a text rather than
stating that meaning outright. One work that accomplishes this is Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson. This novel
uses characterization, motif and symbolism to quietly suggest the idea that Melinda is a troubled adolescent.