Introduction

0) Title should introduce text and themes to be discussed

1) Essay should begin with an introductory paragraph that identifies text (title), author, year, relevant context, and basic information about the passage to be discussed (what happens, when it occurs in novel’s plot)

2) Essay should include information about relevant historical contexts and cite sources to support those claims. You may also choose to include genre information here (type of monster).

Thesis

3) Thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and should have a 3-part structure ([Creator] uses [2-3 devices or strategies] to create [pattern/complication/effect] and show [message/purpose]

4) Thesis should NOT be a blank list of literary/film devices (“Romero uses zombies, mise-en-scene, and camera angles to scare his readers and show that consumerism is bad”). If your thesis isn’t sufficiently arguable, get more specific (what kinds of zombies or cinematography? What kind of scare? Bad in what ways?)

Genre and Critics

5) Genre (may be covered in introduction or analysis section): The paper should explain why the text includes this kind of monster, and place it in context relative to others of its kind. (e.g. Why are Romero’s zombies violent in comparison to their Haitian forbears?)

6) Critics (may have separate paragraph or be included in analysis): The paper should engage with at least 2 critics’ interpretations. Regardless of whether or not the paper agrees with their analysis, it should build on their views to make an original contribution (rather than merely agreeing/disagreeing – “yes, and….” Or “no, and…”)

Analysis

5) Topic Sentence: Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that makes an arguable analytical claim (Stoker uses X to show Y).

6) This should be followed by a sentence that introduces evidence to be cited (don’t just start quoting out of nowhere).

*7) Close Reading: Body paragraphs should show a clear engagement with the formal features of the text (quoted language in literary texts, visual/aural details in film, both in comics). After quoting your evidence, you should pick out specific words or phrases and explain how they support your topic sentence claims.

8) Body paragraph should end in a conclusion sentence that sums up what your analysis has demonstrated.

Organization

9) Think about order of paragraphs. If you’re moving from one device/strategy to another, think about why. Why this paragraph after that one? Do they build together to create a pattern? Don’t just follow the order of the plot. This is your analysis, impose your own order.

Conclusion

10) Paraphrase the thesis claim, highlight 2-3 main points of body argument, and then conclude with a claim about the overall meaning or message of the text.

Overall

11) Review essay: Do you attempt to incorporate/address opposing views or address potential objections at some point in the paper (thesis, body paragraph, or conclusion)?

12) Format: 12-point font, double-spaced, MLA-style heading, in-text citations, and works cited section at the end (works cited entry for your version of the novel). If you’re not sure how to cite something, see the CSN MLA Guide or zbib.org.

13) Before submitting: read your paper aloud (last paragraph first). Remove personal pronouns (OK in intro/conclusion).