Literary essay 5h

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Literary essay

What is an essay?

• An essay is a piece of writing where you share your ideas about a topic in an organized way. It usually has an introduction, body paragraphs with your main points and examples, and a conclusion to sum up your ideas.

What is a literary essay?

A literary essay is really an analysis of a literary work, in this case: our book Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

It is not merely a summary. Instead, it is an argument about the work that expresses a writer's (that's you guys) personal perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical evaluation of the book.

A literary essay is a way of analyzing a story or book. In this case, you will be looking closely at The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

This is not just a summary of the book. Instead, it is your chance to share your own ideas and opinions about the story, explain what you think it means, and give your judgment about it. SO DO NOT WRITE A SUMMARY.  I READ THE BOOK ALREADY ;)

It should have these 3 elements:

1. An introduction that tells the reader what your essay will focus on. Hook, background information, thesis statement

2. A main body, divided into paragraphs, that builds an argument using evidence from the text.

3. A conclusion that clearly states the main point that you have shown with your analysis.

Restates the thesis, summarizes key points, and leaves a final impression.

The introduction

> Start with a compelling opening statement - Hook

> background information
> End with your thesis statement (your main argument)

The introduction

> Start with a compelling opening statement - Hook

> background information: You clearly introduce the topic, the literary work and the author

> End with your thesis statement (your main argument).

Which of the following would be a good compelling opening sentence of a literary essay?

The Role of Storytelling

How is storytelling important in The Canterbury Tales? Consider why the pilgrims tell their tales 

and how their stories reflect their personalities or values."

This essay explores the Canterbury Tales and the themes of personality and value.

What does it truly mean to be pilgrim? Chaucher challenges this question through his complex characters.

Stories have always been a way for people to share ideas, entertain, and learn from each other.

Chaucher's Canterbury Tales tells the story of pilgrims and their tales.

The Role of Storytelling

How is storytelling important in The Canterbury Tales? Consider why the pilgrims tell their tales and how their stories reflect their personalities or values."

(Hook) Stories have always been a way for people to share ideas, entertain, and learn from each other. From ancient myths to modern novels, storytelling connects us.

In The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the pilgrims entertain one another with stories during their journey to Canterbury. Each tale is unique, reflecting the storyteller’s personality and beliefs. (Thesis):

What is the best thesis
statement?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3

1. it has a more natural flow and a clearer structure. It is simplistic, but it avoids overly repetitive phrasing and feels a bit more cohesive.

2. This is a strong thesis with a well-organized structure and clear points. It effectively connects storytelling to character development and societal commentary. To further improve, you could slightly refine the language for even greater impact. For example, "provides a way" could be replaced with something more direct, like "allows."

3. This thesis is clear and addresses the key points, but the phrasing is repetitive ("show what they think is important" and "let Chaucer say things") and could be more polished. Consider rephrasing to make it more sophisticated and concise.

The Role of Storytelling

How is storytelling important in The Canterbury Tales? Consider why the pilgrims tell their tales and how their stories reflect their personalities or values."

(Hook) Stories have always been a way for people to share ideas, entertain, and learn from each other. From ancient myths to modern novels, storytelling connects us.

In The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the pilgrims entertain one another with stories during their journey to Canterbury. Each tale is unique, reflecting the storyteller’s personality and beliefs. (Thesis) Storytelling in The Canterbury Tales is more than just entertainment—it reveals the characters’ values, highlights their differences, and provides a way for Chaucer to comment on medieval society.

Objective: Quickly write a clear thesis statement in response to a fun prompt.

Read the prompt and decide your position.

"Homework should be banned."

Write a thesis statement that includes:

Your position and Two supporting reasons.

Example: "This essay argues that homework should be banned because it increases stress and reduces family time."

" Write a thesis statement that includes:
Your position / Two supporting reasons.

"Chocolate is better than ice cream."
"Summer is the best season of the year.
Pizza is the best food in the world."
"Aliens definitely exist."

This essay will provide an explanation for pizza being the best food in the world because it is versatile, widely loved, and available in endless varieties to suit every taste."

This essay challenges the question that aliens definitely exist because the universe is vast and unexplored, and scientists have found signs of potentially habitable planets.

This essay will argue that chocolate is better than ice cream because it is more versatile, lasts longer, and can be enjoyed in any season

This essay will demonstrate that summer is the best season of the year because it offers the longest days, the weather, and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Body paragraphs

What is the PEEL Method?

A structured approach for crafting clear and focused paragraphs in essays.

Ensures your ideas are well-organized and persuasive.

Why Use PEEL?

• Makes your writing clear and persuasive.
• Ensures logical flow in your argument.
• Keeps your paragraphs focused and concise.

P - Point

State the main idea of the paragraph.

Example: "Reading regularly improves vocabulary and language skills."

E- Evidence/Example

Provide facts, examples, or quotes to support your point.

Example: "Studies show that students who read for 20 minutes daily are exposed to thousands of new words annually."

E - Explain

Analyze the evidence and connect it back to your point.

Example: "This helps students recognize and use complex vocabulary in their own writing."

L - Link

Connect the paragraph to your thesis or the next paragraph.

Example: "Therefore, developing a reading habit is essential for improving communication skills."

Body Paragraph (with PEEL highlighted):

(Point:) First of all, Victor Frankenstein’s actions reveal that he is more monstrous than the creature because of his lack of responsibility and empathy. Victor's decisions directly lead to the suffering of those around him, highlighting his moral failings. (Evidence:) For example, when the creature pleads for a companion to ease his loneliness, Victor initially agrees but later destroys the creature’s mate, condemning him to a life of isolation. (Explain:) This act reflects Victor’s selfishness and inability to consider the consequences of his actions. Instead of taking responsibility for the being he created, he abandons the creature and prioritizes his own fears over the creature’s happiness. Victor’s lack of compassion and accountability paints him as the true monster in the story, in contrast to the creature, who desires connection and kindness despite being rejected. (Link:) Through Victor’s actions, Shelley explores themes of responsibility, empathy, and the consequences of unchecked ambition, challenging readers to reconsider who the real monster is.

After 2 or 3 body paragraphs, you finish with your conlusion. 

Conclusion:

To sum up, storytelling in The Canterbury Tales is more than just entertainment; it reveals the personalities and values of the pilgrims. For example, the Wife of Bath’s tale reflects her belief in female empowerment and her personal experiences with marriage. Through these connections, Chaucer helps readers understand the characters while addressing broader themes, such as gender roles and societal norms. The tales are a powerful way for Chaucer to comment on medieval life and engage his audience with meaningful insights.

USE LINKING WORDS to start body paragraphs and conclusion!!!!!

Body 1:

To begin with,

Firstly,

In the first place,

One key aspect is,

Initially,

Body 2:

Secondly,

Another important point is,

Furthermore,

In addition,

On the other hand,

Conclusion:

In conclusion,

To summarize,

Overall,

In summary,

As a final point,

Title:

An essay also has an attractive title..... the name of your book is NEVER just the title....

So do not write: The Canterbury Tales by.....

But think of something creative:

1. Tales of the Journey: Storytelling in The Canterbury Tales

2. Voices on the Road: How Stories Reflect Character and Society

3. Beyond Entertainment: The Power of Storytelling in Chaucer's Pilgrimage