Langston Hughes “Theme for English B”
Textual Analysis Essay
Three to Six pages with Three Sources in MLA Format
Dont write what you think you ought to say; instead, write what you see and what you feel. Read a story and find the central message. The message should not be a clich nor anything that you have heard before. The message should be fresh and non-obvious. To find an interesting message, you must read between the lines and find a subtext. In the subtext is the wisdom.
Make the message your thesis statement.
For example, Dr. Seusss Green Eggs and Ham shows that a narrow-minded attitude turns one into a life-hating curmudgeon, but when one tries something new with someone new, for the sake of trying something, one turns into a cosmopolitan with a newfound zeal for life and a variety of experiences. You can call the essay, From Fool to Foody: Finding the Spice of Life in Green Eggs and Ham.”
Organization
Your first paragraph should be devoted to explaining your thesis statement. Can you explain what you mean by your claim in different ways? Do what you can to clarify the thesis statement as if you were talking to a neighbor or a friend. Do not write sweeping generalizations like People have always had an aversion to unusual food. Sweeping generalizations always fall under one of two categories: the obviously right and the obviously wrong. Dont state the obvious like All people eat food.
Your body paragraphs should be a series of subclaims (topic sentences) which are supported with evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should look as follows:
Topic Sentence
Clarification
Contextualization of Evidence (Brief Summary)
Quotation of Evidence
Analysis of Evidence
Repeat the processes. Ideally, you should follow your curiosity, ask lots of why-questions, and write with your natural voice. After youve written naturally flowing analysis, then conform your writing to the organizational outline.
Your last paragraph should notnotrestate the thesis statement and the major points. I said dont restate your thesis statement and the three major points. If you restate your thesis statement et cetera, you will bore the reader to tears and lose points. A conclusion should be, ideally, an emphatic statement in which the reader has been prepared. Dont write in conclusion.
What Ill Be Looking For
Write for clarity and flow, not for fancy words that sound intellectual or poetic.
Genuine curiosity and passion. You cant fake that!
Dont come off as a pseudo-intellectual, half-baked poet trying to sound like you are truly fascinated.
Sentences with short subjects and lively verbs. The sentences should end as soon as possible, and they should end on a good word.
Write narrowly-focused paragraphs.
Write a narrow, original, and arguable thesis statement. That is, a non-obvious claim that goes against the grain of clichd thinking.
Close reading of the text with sound logic and penetrating analysis.
Write in the third person.
The absence of the following words: very, truly, only, just, ever, never, all, way, how, actually, still, also, plethora, copious, numerous, positive, negative, impact, and being.
Write being after the word human. Being should be used when referring to someones or some creatures beingness.
Dont write the word individual unless you are distinguishing someone from a group.
Accurate pronouns.
Not repeating words in a sentence.
Dont write that is and that are.
Proper MLA formatting.
Learning Objectives
To discover the rich treasures of the wisdom tradition.
To discover the pleasure of writing a graceful sentence.
To cultivate a sharp analytical mind.
To articulate a complex idea in a clear manner.
To follow curiosity into a world of unfolding mystery.
Schedule
Three-page rough draft is due November 9 at 10 a.m. Plus Works Cited page.
watch link may use on work cited page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLkwW4nFlnI
