The Outsiders Response to Literature Essay A step-by-step process to writing an analytical essay The Prompt You’ve just read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Write a response to literature essay in which you explore S.E. Hinton’s theme and how she expresses it in the story. Pinpoint one major theme in the novel. Discuss three literary elements that illustrate the theme. Show how they work in the novel independently, and how they work together to convey the theme. DRAFTING THESIS STATEMENT REMEMBER: THE THESIS IS THE CONTROLLING IDEA FOR THE ENTIRE ESSAY Specific requirements: TAPS: title, author, address the prompt, make a statement about the prompt (see below) State the three elements that support the prompt (the 3-point thesis) Sample thesis statement format: In ___(title)_____, __(author’s full name)____ illustrates the theme _____________(prompt/statement)________________through _____(p/s)______, ______(p/s)__________, and _____(p/s)_______. Selecting Evidence (3 per body paragraph) Must be direct quotes from the novel with page numbers Page citations (numbers) must be accurate: “Quote quote quote quote” (78). Each example must support the focus (the element) for each body paragraph Each quote must be embedded into your sentences/paragraph Example: One element contributing to Hinton’s theme is when Ponyboy realizes, “Darry did care about me…and because he cared he was trying too hard to make something of me” (98). Pre-Writing Embedding Quotes Quotes must be embedded, meaning they must flow with your own words; you must ease your reader into the quote, not just have the quote stand on its own. You want the author’s words to sounds as if they are actually your words. Examples: Not embedded: Johnny says, “Stay gold” (148). Embedded: As Johnny lays dying, he instructs Ponyboy to “Stay gold” (148). DRAFTING Analyzing your evidence aka Writing Commentary For each example (CD), you must compose at least 2 sentences of Commentary that analyze the significance of the example Start your commentary with the phrase This shows that… (You will omit this phrase later in revision) DRAFTING Remember that Commentary Connects the CD to the Topic Sentence, and therefore, the Thesis statement Provides your insight, analysis, interpretation, explication and/or reflection of the CD Answers why the CD is significant Commentary Dos and Don’ts DON’T! DO! Show the connection between the CD and the TS/Thesis Analyze the significance of the example (why is it important?) Convey your insight Explain how the CD makes a person (in this case, Ponyboy) more mature Summarize the story Give more CDs/examples Repeat yourself DRAFTING Commentary Practice DRAFTING Here’s a CD based on the same topic, but concerning Robert Frost: CD: “Nature’s first green,” symbolizes the beginning stages of life, when people are innocent and pure (line 1). CM: This shows that… CM: This also shows that… More Commentary Practice Try it again: CD: Frost explains that experience destroys innocence by stating, “Eden sank to grief” (line 6). CM: This shows that… CM: This also shows that… DRAFTING Introduction General statement Hook Background about the piece you are analyzing See blue handout for ideas Make a smooth transition from the hook to the following info Be sure to make transition and connection from general statement to the background of the text Thesis Statement (TAPS/3-point) DRAFTING Sample Intro In America 2008 there are thousands of heroes. These heroes are our military men and women fighting for American ideals and the rights of humanity. These heroes are those people who stand up for what is right regardless the risk to their own lives. Furthermore, our military heroes don’t serve to become heroes, or even think of themselves as such. In fact, our heroes of today are similar to the heroes found in The Outsiders who step outside of themselves in order to save others. In this novel S. E. Hinton employs characterization, a story frame, and the hero’s journey to show that anyone can be a hero. Conclusion Restatement of the thesis Restate your thesis, but do it in a different way Do not simply copy what you wrote in the intro; rephrase it in an interesting way Say something insightful; reflect on your subject Make a statement about your topic, but do it with all commentary. There is no concrete detail, no summary of key points. Give the “package” a bow; give the essay a finished feeling DRAFTING