5061 Writing Exam Guidelines

Paragraph 1: Introduction
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Zoom OUT: Introduce the novel in a few sentences.

Include any information the reader NEEDS to know to understand your thesis.

Zoom IN(TO) your THESIS: tell the reader EXACTLY what your paper is going to be
about.

Thesis Format: Topic + position + main idea 1, main idea 2, main idea 3.
For example:
1. In the novella Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie's relationship demonstrates the
true meaning of friendship through their shared dream, their support for one another, and
the sacrifices they make.
2. The author uses animals to symbolize the relationship between strength and weakness.
This is demonstrated through Lennie's mouse, Candy's dog, and Slim's litter of puppies.
3. The author foreshadows Lennie's demise through George's plan, his relationship with
mouse, and Candy's dog.
Your thesis is the last sentence of your introduction.

Paragraph 2: Main Point #1

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Zoom OUT (Topic Sentence): introduce your first point

Zoom IN (Supporting Details): use quotes from the book to explain your main point
further.

Give AT LEAST 2-3 supporting details to make a strong point.

Incorporate your quotes INTO the text; dont just throw them in by themselves.

For example:
This is particularly evident when Kilgore Trout says, Make me young, make me young,
make me young (188). (explain the quote and why it is relevant in the following
sentence)
The Narrator states, Charm was a scheme for making strangers like and trust a person
immediately, no matter what the charmer had in mind (19). (explain the quote and why
it is relevant in the following sentence)
Bunnys smile made it appear as though he had a mouth full of Christmas trees (155).
(explain the quote and why it is relevant in the following sentence)

Paragraph 3: Main Points #2 (Repeat)

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Zoom OUT (Topic Sentence)

Zoom IN (2-3 Supporting Details)

Paragraph 4: Main Points #3 (Repeat)

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Zoom OUT (Topic Sentence)

Zoom IN (2-3 Supporting Details)

Paragraph 5: Conclusion
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Summarize your thesis and main points in a few sentences.

Why is this information important to the novel as a whole?

Dont use I

Formatting (MLA)
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Font: Times New Roman

Size: 12 pts

Spacing: 2.0

Top Right: Your Full Name, Teacher, Course, Date

Title: Top, Centered, Underlined

Right Header: Last Name + Pg. #

TAB each new paragraph.

For Example:
Smith 1
John Smith
Teacher: Sara Chenette
4061 Writing Exam
June 12th, 2014
Title of Critical Analysis