ESSAY ASSIGNMENT #1 REVIEW - EXTRA INFO

I feel that it is necessary to remind everyone that this first essay is indeed just that -- an essay! As such, you should not be forgetting the structure of an essay and should follow the same rules that you learned (hopefully) in ENC1101.

Intro -- Introduce the story in general, perhaps give background info on either author or story. For review, make sure you at least give hint of good/bad, etc. (Basic Thesis) plus indication of what contributes to this, elements that you plan to examine in body (in essence, your X, Y, Z). For literary essays, don't forget the title and author's full name.

Body -- 1st body paragraph for a review can be summary (summary should be no longer than one paragraph, though). If story is short enough, a brief summary in intro may be sufficient.
Other body paragraphs will examine separate points of discussion. Remember to use topic sentences (e.g., "Ambrose Bierce uses elaborate description to bring Farquhar's escape to life." leading into a discussion of the descriptive technique). Explain yourself and give support -- point to a passage, include a quote. Keep to one idea/topic per body paragraph.

Conclusion -- Restate thesis -- Review will clearly state whether you liked it or not here and, again, why (this should be 1st sentence, just as in typical 5-par. essay). Lead us out with relationship of story to world, look to future, give advice, broaden discussion of theme, etc.

For the content of a review, besides the handout of the assignment itself, remember to refer to LFC Ch. 5, pp. 146-9 and Ch. 17, pp. 607-611 (7th ed.); or pp. 139-142 and Ch. 18, pp. 557-561 (6th ed.) for some additional help.

Additional questions to consider to aid you (perhaps) --

• Were the characters believable?
• What did the author do to make you feel (or not feel) a particular way?
• How did the author achieve (or fail to achieve) his/her purpose?
• Was the way the author wrote any good? (use of descriptions, analogies, symbols, etc.)
• Was the plot predictable or surprising? What made it so?
• Could you relate to the story and/or characters?