This is what we have been working towards…

You will write a formal, literary essay You will choose from several topics

based on your literature circle novel

We will begin by looking at the structure of a formal literary essay. For this assignment, you will write five paragraphs:

Introduction + thesis (last sentence) Body paragraph one Body paragraph two Body paragraph three Concluding paragraph

We will use The Hunger Games as our example

You will be able to create an argument about character, theme or dystopian setting

We will focus on character for our example

CHARACTERWhat a character says (speech)What a character does (action)What a character thinks (thoughts)What others say about him/herThe character’s appearance and surroundings

What do you think the author is trying to tell you as reader?

How do characters contribute to the theme?

How does the setting contribute to the theme?

How does the society contribute to the theme?

How does the theme develop throughout the novel?

How is the setting a dystopia? Are there specific examples that match

your notes on dystopian characteristics?

How does this setting contribute to the novel?

How does this setting affect the characters?

GENERAL

SPECIFIC

• move from general to specific

• be at least THREE sentences

1. a captivating “hook”2. Introduce novel: the author and title of the

work, and include general setting, plot, purpose of the novel

3. the thesis statement

In 1848, Karl Marx wrote in The Communist Manifesto, "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles." Suzanne Collins’ futuristic society in The Hunger Games shares these same class struggles, where the government of Panem institutes a bloody battle to the death each year to quash any citizen or district’s thoughts of rebellion. Katniss, a young woman from District 12, starts to resist her overpowering government. (thesis statement)

Must be absolutely clear Must be specific and concise

(don’t use unnecessary words) Must state your overall argument Must outline the three aspects of

your topic that you will be discussing

Katniss represents an attitude of rebellion towards the government of Panem in The Hunger Games, which is evident in her cynical outlook on the government, her lifestyle choices in District 12, and her attitude toward the Hunger Games themselves.

•Each body paragraph develops ONE aspect of thesis statement

•Each one will begin with a topic sentence (transition word, overall argument, thesis aspect)

•Body sentences will use point, proof, explanation method

•End with a concluding sentence that summarizes the paragraph

•Use transition words to connect points

•BONUS: Use linking words in either the topic or concluding sentences to link paragraphs together

Make a POINT Provide a QUOTATION introduced with

context that proves your point (use proper citation format)

EXPLAIN the significance of your proof, and LINK it to your point AND your overall argument

Point: To start, Katniss shows her cynical attitude towards the government by thinking negatively about the Capitol.

Proof with Context: Katniss makes it clear that she has always thought about they way things are and the fear her family experiences: “When I was younger, I scared my mother to death, the things I would blurt out about District 12, about the people who rule our country, Panem, from the far-off city called the Capitol” (6).

Explanation and Link: Even at a young age, Katniss starts to think about her poor way of life and her controlling government. These thoughts of hers start to show her rebellious nature.

GENERAL

SPECIFIC

move from specific to general

be at least THREE sentences

1.Restatement of thesis (fresh, new way)2.Final thought about the novel3. Connect overall topic to self, society, and/or world

Katniss is a rebellious character, noticeable in her sceptical attitude toward the government, her defiant lifestyle, and her hatred of the Hunger games themselves. She helps to shape the reader’s understanding of The Hunger Games and becomes a critical voice in Panem. Her story of courage echoes that of many young women who grow up in modern societies which try to control their citizens.

• Formal writing rules• Integrate and cite quotations properly

– quotations CANNOT STAND ALONE!!

• Create an effective title• Use all process work