Literary Essay writing TH2 Curious Incident

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Essay lesson

Essay writing based on Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

This week's lessons:

1. Literary essay - Introduction
2. Literary essay - Body paragraph(s)
3. Literary essay - Conclusion

Aim of this lesson

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to explain what the introduction of a literary essay looks like.

What do you already know about essays?

What is an essay?

An essay is a written collection of prose, organized and divided neatly into paragraphs.

Remember that an essay is a written form of communication and therefore must be clear and easily understandable to most readers.

Purpose?

State or support an opinion with proof and explanation.

Essays can be used to persuade others to agree with your opinion.

Literary essay

A short text that tells about the big idea or theme of a book you've read.

It is NOT a summary (samenvatting) of the book or a description of the characters .

Layout/Structure

1. Introduction (1  paragraph)
   
2. Body paragraphs (+- 3 paragraphs)
3. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
   
   

Introduction

Your introduction (single paragraph) explains briefly about the story (don’t write a full summary, you can assume that I’ve read the book), names the author and leads into your thesis statement. (if you want to you can also start with a hook/attention grabber)

Thesis statement:

What it is that you’re going to argue/prove/analyze etc.

Should ALWAYS come at the end of your introduction!!

Thesis statement

You’ll be given an essay question and from that one you’ll develop your thesis statement.

In other words, your thesis statement is your response to the question.

Example:

Essay Question:

How does Christopher’s way of seeing the world help him grow and solve problems in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?

Introduction + Thesis Statement

In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, Christopher Boone is a 15-year-old boy who sees the world in a logical and literal way. While this sometimes creates challenges in his relationships and everyday life, it also helps him solve problems and face difficult situations. Through his investigation into the death of a neighbor's dog and the struggles within his family, Christopher learns to trust others and becomes more independent. His unique way of thinking is not just a challenge but also a strength, helping him grow throughout the story.

If you would like to start with a hook...

What would the world look like if everything was based on logic and facts? In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with a unique way of thinking, views the world through this lens. While his logical approach sometimes creates challenges in social situations, it also becomes his greatest strength in solving problems and overcoming obstacles. As Christopher investigates the mysterious death of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secrets about his family, he learns to trust others and becomes more independent. His journey shows how thinking differently can lead to personal growth and resilience.

Thesis statement:

(1) To announce the topic to the reader.

(2) To reflect a judgment about the topic.

(3) To provide the reader with a blueprint for what is to come in the essay. 

NB: Your thesis STATEMENT should always be a STATEMENT.

Let’s try again:

Essay Question:

How does Christopher’s logical way of thinking help him solve problems and overcome challenges in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time? Argue.

Try to develop your own thesis statement based on this question. Strong thesis statements normally mimic parts of the original question.

Body

You need to write separate paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a different point.

So-> Starting a new point? Start a new paragraph!

Please use clear topic sentences and linking words in/between your paragraphs.

Topic sentence:

Main sentence that describes what your paragraph will be about. Should be a strong statement.

Linking words:

Firstly, however, secondly, thirdly, therefore, furthermore, nevertheless (etc etc)

Look at this example and figure out what is the point, example and explanation. Which words help you find the transition?

Firstly, Christopher’s logical way of thinking helps him solve problems, even in difficult situations. For example, when Christopher decides to travel to London to find his mother, he uses maps, timetables, and his knowledge of patterns to navigate the train station and the city. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the crowds and noise, he breaks the journey into smaller, logical steps to manage his anxiety.This shows that Christopher’s logical thinking allows him to tackle problems systematically, even when he is outside of his comfort zone. His ability to stay focused and use logic demonstrates his resilience and growth. Through this journey, Christopher proves that his unique perspective is a strength that helps him overcome challenges and achieve independence.

Point:

Christopher’s logical way of thinking helps him solve problems, even in difficult situations.

Evidence:

For example, when Christopher decides to travel to London to find his mother, he uses maps, timetables, and his knowledge of patterns to navigate the train station and the city. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the crowds and noise, he breaks the journey into smaller, logical steps to manage his anxiety.

Explanation:

This shows that Christopher’s logical thinking allows him to tackle problems systematically, even when he is outside of his comfort zone. His ability to stay focused and use logic demonstrates his resilience and growth. Through this journey, Christopher proves that his unique perspective is a strength that helps him overcome challenges and achieve independence.

Point:

Christopher’s logical way of thinking helps him solve problems, even in difficult situations.

Evidence:

For example, when Christopher decides to travel to London to find his mother, he uses maps, timetables, and his knowledge of patterns to navigate the train station and the city. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the crowds and noise, he breaks the journey into smaller, logical steps to manage his anxiety.

Explanation:

This shows that Christopher’s logical thinking allows him to tackle problems systematically, even when he is outside of his comfort zone. His ability to stay focused and use logic demonstrates his resilience and growth. Through this journey, Christopher proves that his unique perspective is a strength that helps him overcome challenges and achieve independence.

Practice Essay Question

What do Christopher’s relationships with his parents show about trust and forgiveness in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time?