The Academic Essay

Lord of the Flies

Choose one of the main symbols in Lord of the Flies and, by tracing the symbol throughout the novel, analyze how Golding uses it to develop one of the central themes

1. The introduction Open with background or

reflection on the larger themes raised by the question

The opening sentence should mention the names of the novel, the writer and, possibly, key characters

The intro provides a summary of the essay

Do not use the intro to merely ASK THE QUESTION

It should ANSWER THE QUESTION

Opening sentence

QUESTION: “Jack is the main problem facing the boys in Lord of the Flies.”

Discuss

Opening line: William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, places dozens of British school boys on an island that, on first appearances, looks to be a paradise.

The Thesis Statement

The final sentence (or two) of the intro should answer the question with a general statement of opinion

This is the THESIS STATEMENT – the argument of the essay

Aim to construct a complex thesis

The thesis should be multi-faceted

For example

QUESTION: The main problem facing the boys in Lord of the Flies is Jack.

THESIS

Your turn to write

“Piggy has the brains, Simon the vision and Ralph the leadership.” So why do things break up?

Make a statement that includes “but”, “although” or “however”

Include the words ”In Golding’s novel…”

Include the word “allegory” You have 3 minutes

Share and comment

Write a comment on your colleague’s thesis

Does it answer all parts of the question?

Is it complex? Is the language formal/academic? Is it convincing – reasonable?

Symbols in Lord of the Flies

Essay Outline (Plan)

First brainstorm ideas Two structures – for

organizing ideasNarrative/

chronological – one para on different stages in the development of the symbol

Thematic – 3 different aspects of the symbol

Quotations

Keep them short Explain their relevance to your ideas Choose thematic or character quotes Don’t use plot/narrative quotes – use

paraphrase to explain what happened

How to include quotationsAttribution According to Piggy, “Blah blah.” After Simon’s death, Ralph says,

“Blah blah.” Explain significance of the

information provided by the quotation

But don’t simply repeat the information

The significance sentence – before or after the quotation

Relevance and the Topic Sentence TS Each paragraph should respond to

one aspect of the question The opening sentence of each

paragraph announces the subject of the paragraph

The WHOLE paragraph must connect with the TS!!

Substantiation

This means – providing evidence (substance) to illustrate or support your ideas

Commentary without substantiations is assertion

Use examples from the story/plot – events

+ quotations

Write a topic sentence

Write a topic sentence for a body paragraph

And add a second sentence that provides supporting evidence

NEVER open a sentence with “For example…”

You have 5 minutes!

Review: Paragraphs in the body

8 to 10 lines in length Open with a topic

sentence (TS) that addresses one aspect of your thesis

TS announces the main idea of the paragraph

The rest of the paragraph? Fully develops, explains and

discusses this topic Provides Evidence to support the

discussion – quotations, events, characters

Your homework

Introduction Three topic sentences for the body

paragraphs Evidence

Share and comment with a new classmate

1. Does the intro include a complex and clear thesis statement?

2. Do the 3 topic sentences deal with one aspect of the thesis statement?

3. Is the evidence relevant to the point made by the topic sentence?

WRITE A COMMENT THAT ANSWERS ALL THREE QUESTIONS

Part 3 The Conclusion - do

Restate the main ideas in the essay

Connect the ideas and then..

Draw a final conclusion that answers the essay question

The Conclusion – don’t

Don’t add new material or ideas Don’t be specific – make general

statements Don’t write “In conclusion”!!