The Great GatsbyThe Great GatsbyEssay TipsEssay Tips

Sample IntroSample Intro Grabber (general)Grabber (general) Bridge to introduce author, title, time period Bridge to introduce author, title, time period

(bridge should link the grabber to main topic)(bridge should link the grabber to main topic) Set up main topic of essay (idea of Set up main topic of essay (idea of

counterpoint)counterpoint) Roadmap (3 sentences)Roadmap (3 sentences) Thesis: significance of these contrasts—be sure Thesis: significance of these contrasts—be sure

your thesis answers the question, “So what?”your thesis answers the question, “So what?” Refer to the sample intro I gave you.Refer to the sample intro I gave you.

SampleSample body paragraphbody paragraph Topic sentence (must allude to the thesis) Topic sentence (must allude to the thesis)

Ex: Ex: Fitzgerald contrasts Buchanan’s Fitzgerald contrasts Buchanan’s hard physicality with Gatsby’s almost hard physicality with Gatsby’s almost spiritual purity in order to spiritual purity in order to suggest/demonstrate/illustrate…suggest/demonstrate/illustrate…

Set up the first example (provide context)Set up the first example (provide context) Integrated quote (w/citation) & significance Integrated quote (w/citation) & significance Transition to 2Transition to 2ndnd example (In contrast, example (In contrast,

Conversely, While, In direct opposition) with Conversely, While, In direct opposition) with set-up of 2set-up of 2ndnd example (provide context) example (provide context)

Integrated quote #2 (w/citation) & Integrated quote #2 (w/citation) & significancesignificance

Analysis examining this contrast and how it Analysis examining this contrast and how it proves/ contributes to the universal truth in proves/ contributes to the universal truth in your thesisyour thesis

Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

Clarity & concisionClarity & concision Active voiceActive voice Present tense except when providing Present tense except when providing

historical overviewhistorical overview Watch for wordiness and awkwardnessWatch for wordiness and awkwardness In your quote analysis, do not just In your quote analysis, do not just

summarize the quote AND do not just summarize the quote AND do not just restate your thesis; explain how the restate your thesis; explain how the example example provesproves the thesis—be specific! the thesis—be specific!