For this essay, you will be constructing an argumentative essay. An essay is a relatively short
written composition that articulates, supports, and develops an idea or claim (an argument).
Explaining in this case entails both analysis (breaking the complex “thing” down into its parts
and showing how they work together to form a meaningful whole) and argument (working to
convince someone that the analysis is valid). In an essay about literature, the literary work is the
complex “thing” that you are helping a reader to better understand. The essay needs to show the
reader a particular way to understand the work, to interpret or read it. The purpose of this final
essay is to provide a specific interpretation of your chosen literature and its larger significance
using textual evidence. The only evidence allowed for this assignment is the literature (do
not use any outside sources).
Literature Selections:
✔ Develop at least 3 aspects of your chosen topic to expand for the final. Each aspect will
have at least 2-3 body paragraphs that convey the impact of specific scenes from the
literature.
Argument:
✔ What (subject) + How (how you plan to examine the subject) + Why (significance of
your argument)
✔ Thesis: The thesis statement is a roadmap for your essay. It should appear (1-2
sentences) at the end of your introduction.
✔ Topic Sentences: Topic sentences are the first sentences of each body paragraph (except
the introduction) that states the significance of the main idea you explore in the
paragraph.
Avoid:
✔ Addressing the author by their first name.
✔ Evidence (quotes) without introductions and explanations.
✔ Incomplete and run-on sentences.
✔ Addressing the reader (e.g. “The reader can tell” or “The reader can see”).
✔ Inserting your opinion (e.g. In my opinion, I think, I feel, or I believe). Instead work to
provide evidence and explain what the interpretation means.
✔ Summarizing the text.
✔ Outside sources
MLA Format for Essays:
All formal papers must be submitted using the following format:
1. 5-6 full pages (excluding Works Cited page), 12 pt, Times Roman font, double-spaced with
one-inch margins;
2. Text is left-justified and title in center-justified;
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3. Heading is on the upper left-hand corner of the paper and consists of student’s name, course
number and section/instructor’s name, assignment title, and due date;
4. Header is in the upper right hand corner and consists of student’s last name and the page
number;
5. The first lines of paragraphs are indented 5 spaces with no extra line space between
paragraphs.
6. No title page, cover page, folders, or hand-written essays.
7. Include a Works Cited page.
8. Carefully proofread you final draft and staple before submission.
9. Visit Purdue OWL MLA webpage for additional information:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
***See the following link to locate Works Cited Citations:
https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/mla (or Google: Columbia College MLA)
Final Essay Due to Canvas June 26th by 11:59 pm