Lecture Notes from 9/27 Lab Day

·    Academic Writing:

·    Do not state the obvious.

·     Do not retell the story.

·     Do not use first or second person.

·     Do not use slang.

·     Do not use an empty sentence as the opener to the paper.

Thesis Statement: Claim or argument that controls the essay. Must be a debatable point. Must convey an opinion. MUST MAKE A POINT.

è Be as specific as possible.

è Form + Content = Meaning

“The Dream of the Rood” is a dream vision poem. The poem shows that God is a strong, heroic, warrior-like figure who is capable of saving mankind. =

 

This dream-vision poem presents a heroic God in a prophetical, mystical way that appeals to the values brotherhood and unity that defined Anglo-Saxon culture.

Don’t tell what happens. Tell what you think about what happens.

Introduction to a Literary Analysis Essay

è Effective opening sentence. Do not state the obvious. Do not be boring. It happens with old literature.

è Background is necessary. Context is necessary. Don’t leave either of them out.

è 2 sentence summary – hit the highlights.

è Historical/literary context

o Date (estimation)

o Author (unknown/anonymous)

o What’s goin’ on?

o Relate these things. So what?

Work towards a point.

       1-2 sentences

*The best thesis in the world is the one that makes a point. And it’s your point.

è Do not open with a quote. (lit is okay)

è Do not piggyback quotes. (dropped quotes)

è Leave out first and second person (I, me, my, you, your, you’re)

è “one” à the reader – he/she, his/her