ESSAY CHECKLIST

INTRODUCTION

LEAD SENTENCE is general but on topic THESIS IS FOCUSED (use the “6 Rules” handout) DIRECTIONAL STATEMENT – 3 supporting arguments are clearly mapped out

BODY PARAGRAPH 1 TOPIC SENTENCE: clearly states the FIRST supporting argument without repeating directional statement

EVIDENCE: examples from the novel, including at least ONE quotation, are used to explain that the first supporting argument is justified. EXAMPLES are not just facts. The EXAMPLES illustrate the supporting argument. QUOTATIONS are introduced by using context from the novel without lapsing into retelling of the whole story. ie- As the first signal fire burns itself out, the boys are shocked to see that some sparks had spread “beneath the dark canopy of leaves[… and had] laid hold on the forest and [begun] to knaw” (44). EXPLANATION: each example is clearly explained. Each EXPLANATION shows that the EXAMPLE is connected to (or an illustration of) the supporting argument.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Sums up the ideas of the paragraph and refers to how all of the evidence and explanation links to the THESIS.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2 TOPIC SENTENCE: clearly states the SECOND supporting argument without repeating directional statement

EVIDENCE: examples from the novel, including at least ONE quotation, are used to explain that the first supporting argument is justified. EXAMPLES are not just facts. The EXAMPLES illustrate the supporting argument. QUOTATIONS are introduced by using context from the novel without lapsing into retelling of the whole story. ie- As the first signal fire burns itself out, the boys are shocked to see that some sparks had spread “beneath the dark canopy of leaves[… and had] laid hold on the forest and [begun] to knaw” (44). EXPLANATION: each example is clearly explained. Each EXPLANATION shows that the EXAMPLE is connected to (or an illustration of) the supporting argument.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Sums up the ideas of the paragraph and refers to how all of the evidence and explanation links to the THESIS.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3 TOPIC SENTENCE: clearly states the THIRD supporting argument without repeating directional statement

EVIDENCE: examples from the novel, including at least ONE quotation, are used to explain that the first supporting argument is justified. EXAMPLES are not just facts. The EXAMPLES illustrate the supporting argument. QUOTATIONS are introduced by using context from the novel without lapsing into retelling of the whole story. ie- As the first signal fire burns itself out, the boys are shocked to see that some sparks had spread “beneath the dark canopy of leaves[… and had] laid hold on the forest and [begun] to knaw” (44). EXPLANATION: each example is clearly explained. Each EXPLANATION shows that the EXAMPLE is connected to (or an illustration of) the supporting argument.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Sums up the ideas of the paragraph and refers to how all of the evidence and explanation links to the THESIS.

CONCLUSION

Move from the SPECIFIC to the GENERAL Provide a brief overview (snap-shot) of the essay. Remind the reader of the thesis, and your three supporting arguments Summarize those arguments in relation to the thesis.

AVOID mechanically repeating introduction or introducing new fact.