Literary AbstractLiterary Abstract

It’s only two paragraphs…It’s only two paragraphs…

What is a Literary Abstract?What is a Literary Abstract?

Literary: writing about how a piece of Literary: writing about how a piece of literature is written.literature is written.

Literary: Linking literary terms to the themeLiterary: Linking literary terms to the theme Abstract: An abbreviated paper…in this case Abstract: An abbreviated paper…in this case

just two paragraphs.just two paragraphs.

Where to start…Where to start…

You need to start by You need to start by selecting a literary selecting a literary element that helps show element that helps show a theme from a theme from Oedipus Oedipus Rex.Rex.

Literary elements:Literary elements: MotifsMotifs

Sight vs. Blindness Sight vs. Blindness symbolismsymbolism

CharacterizationCharacterization Oedipus’ pride and angerOedipus’ pride and anger

ThemesThemes

Humans willingly ignore the truth.Humans willingly ignore the truth. The pride of human nature leads The pride of human nature leads

to tragic resultsto tragic results

The Introduction ParagraphThe Introduction Paragraph

This is a normal introduction paragraph.This is a normal introduction paragraph. Your attention-getter should touch on your Your attention-getter should touch on your

theme. theme. But DON’T mention the play yet.But DON’T mention the play yet. Then introduce your theme.Then introduce your theme. Then make a connection to Then make a connection to Oedipus Rex.Oedipus Rex. Next, you need a summary of the play.Next, you need a summary of the play. Last you need to end with a thesis statement.Last you need to end with a thesis statement. Should be around 200 words.Should be around 200 words.

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

The last sentence of the introduction paragraph The last sentence of the introduction paragraph that tells exactly what your paper is about. that tells exactly what your paper is about.

Must be a definitive statement that is arguable.Must be a definitive statement that is arguable. ““In the play In the play Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex Sophocles uses Sophocles uses

_________ to show __________._________ to show __________. (Literary term) (Theme)(Literary term) (Theme)

Body ParagraphBody Paragraph

This is where you prove your thesis.This is where you prove your thesis. This is a normal body paragraph.This is a normal body paragraph. Must start with a topic sentence (in this case, it Must start with a topic sentence (in this case, it

will be very similar to your thesis statement).will be very similar to your thesis statement). You must provide You must provide threethree examples from the play examples from the play

to support your thesis.to support your thesis. End the paragraph with a clincher and a End the paragraph with a clincher and a

transition to the next paragraph (which won’t transition to the next paragraph (which won’t exist)exist)

ExamplesExamples

1.1. First tell me the context of the example: First tell me the context of the example: when it happens, who said it (if it’s when it happens, who said it (if it’s dialogue), why it happeneddialogue), why it happened

2.2. Provide a quote, summary, or paraphrase – Provide a quote, summary, or paraphrase – MUST BE CITED!MUST BE CITED!

3.3. Explain how the example proves your thesis.Explain how the example proves your thesis.

Example… Example… Thesis: In Thesis: In Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex Sophocles uses Sophocles uses irony to emphasize Oedipus’ tragic nature.irony to emphasize Oedipus’ tragic nature.

Because the ancient Greeks already knew the Because the ancient Greeks already knew the story of Oedipus and how it ends, a lot of story of Oedipus and how it ends, a lot of what Oedipus says is ironic. During Act I what Oedipus says is ironic. During Act I Oedipus makes a decree describing what will Oedipus makes a decree describing what will happen to the murderer of Liaus when he is happen to the murderer of Liaus when he is caught. He also explains how serious he is caught. He also explains how serious he is about finding this killer. Oedipus says, “I about finding this killer. Oedipus says, “I will fight for him [Liaus] as I would fight for will fight for him [Liaus] as I would fight for my own father” (282-283). Since the people my own father” (282-283). Since the people know that Oedipus actually is fighting for his know that Oedipus actually is fighting for his father, this ironic statement makes Oedipus father, this ironic statement makes Oedipus all the more a pitiful and tragic figure.all the more a pitiful and tragic figure.

Tips…Tips… When you quote a poem always put a slash (/) When you quote a poem always put a slash (/)

between words where the line ends.between words where the line ends.

Ex. “Oedipus, whose name / Is greatest Ex. “Oedipus, whose name / Is greatest known known and greatest feared” (7-8). and greatest feared” (7-8).

When citing a poem, provide the lines quoted in When citing a poem, provide the lines quoted in parenthesis. parenthesis.

The period always goes on the outside of the The period always goes on the outside of the parenthesis.parenthesis.

With a new line of poetry, capitalize the first letter. With a new line of poetry, capitalize the first letter.

Tips…Tips…

Make the quote part of another sentence rather than Make the quote part of another sentence rather than just its own sentence.just its own sentence.

Ex. When Oedipus makes his decree he includes himself Ex. When Oedipus makes his decree he includes himself saying, “If I [Oedipus] give him shelter, knowing who / saying, “If I [Oedipus] give him shelter, knowing who / He is… / I ask this punishment for myself” (267-269).He is… / I ask this punishment for myself” (267-269).

For extra content needed to understand a quote, use For extra content needed to understand a quote, use [brackets]. [brackets].

For content you are taking out, use ellipsis (…)For content you are taking out, use ellipsis (…)

The Tip de Jour…The Tip de Jour…

NEVERNEVER use the word “example” when use the word “example” when referring to an example!referring to an example!

Ex. The Chorus in Ex. The Chorus in OedipusOedipus RexRex is very smart. is very smart. One example of that would be when they One example of that would be when they say, “His fury mastered him” (545).say, “His fury mastered him” (545).

BAD!BAD!

The Tip de JourThe Tip de Jour

Instead do it like this:Instead do it like this:Ex.Ex. In In Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex the Chorus is very smart. the Chorus is very smart.

After the argument between Oedipus and After the argument between Oedipus and Creon, it is the Chorus that realizes that Creon, it is the Chorus that realizes that what was spoken was done so in anger as what was spoken was done so in anger as they tell Creon “His fury mastered him; / they tell Creon “His fury mastered him; / Perhaps he did not mean the charge” Perhaps he did not mean the charge”

(545-(545-546).546).GOOD!GOOD!