Essay writing assignment

• Middelbare school

Write an Essay on ONE of your novels

Write a 300-350 word essay on the dystopian society/separate society in your novel. Pick one of the following topics:

1) What is the author's message in the novel?

2) How does the society in your novel relate to the real world?

N.B. On the actual test you will write 400-450 words

Essay (formal) - what is it & structure (lay-out)

An essay is a composition on one single subject, and gives  the author's opinion.

It has a common structure of 5 paragraphs: introduction, body (3 paragraphs/3 points), conclusion. 

A formal essay does not use personal pronouns (I, you, we), but uses "The novel criticizes society" or "The dystopian novel relates to the real world"

Example of an essay on the Maze runner

How the Maze runner relates to real life

Intro:

The Maze runner is a novel about a dystopian society because the inhabitants are there against their own will. They were placed in the maze by the creators, who survey them constantly. There are things outside the walls waiting to hurt them, and eventually they try to escape. WICKED has total control over Thomas and his friends. When trying to escape they see that the world  has been destroyed and is now totally controlled by WICKED.  The Maze runner is an example of a totalitarian society and definitely relates to real life.

First of all, the lives of all the inhabitants in the maze are controlled by the government.

 Give examples from the novel (WICKED). Give an example of a real life controlling government (i.e. Russia, China, etc.)

Second of all, the Maze runner shows how  Thomas and his friends are not allowed to have an individual life

Give examples from the novel (the Maze - they cannot escape; they need each other to escape, have to sacrifice individuals; even when they fall in love, they have to go with the group etc.)

.

How the Maze runner relates to real life

Last but not least,, the Maze Runner shows what the world looks like after a deadly disease.

Give examples from the novel and give examples from real life

In conclusion we can say that the Maze runner is about a dystopian society but definetely relates to real life. 

Repeat the 3 points (one sentence per point) and finish with one-two sentences how the Maze runner illustrates what could happen to today's world.

Two examples of essays

Essay writing

• Use an essay lay-out: intro/3 paragraphs = body /conclusion (= 5 paragraphs)
• Use formal language (not: gonna, wanna, way too much, etc)
  
• Avoid the personal pronouns I/you/we
  
• Use linking words (also, moreover, even though, nonetheless etc.)
  
• Use examples from the novel
  

Preparing your Essay Test Week

• Reread the slides on dystopian literature/novels/separate societies (in studiewijzer)
• Memorize the characteristics of a dystopian/separate society
• Use the essay outline template (in studiewijzer) to write your essays in class
• Make a list of the dystopian elements in your novel
  
• Make a list of differences/similaritis of your novel and real life
  
• Make a list of the main characters and the main events in  your novel