Instructions for an Essay on a Sonnet--Fall 17 Prompt: choose a sonnet from the approved list. In a five paragraph essay, discuss the theme of the sonnet, showing how a variety of poetic devices contribute to the theme. 1. Use a combination of prewriting

Content: Shannon Thompson 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY / 11 SENTENCE BODY PARAGRAPHS Format: Adapted from the Jane Schaffer Writing Program

PARAGRAPH 1 Introduction=all opinion

1. Opener (quotation or generalization)

2. Transition (explain the meaning of the quotation or generalization)

3. Application: Say how opener and transition relate to the thesis that you will argue

*For literature, say: In "Title" , by Full Name, + say how the opener connects to the literature you will discuss

4. Thesis (Opinion: what you think the literature means; the claim you will persuade your reader to agree with)

PARAGRAPH 2 (Body paragraph 1)

1. Transition + Topic Sentence=fact + opinion or all opinion:

2. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

3. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

4. Analysis explains significance of and/or supports previous sentence

5. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

6. Analysis (opinion explains significance of the fact/previous sentence)

7. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

8. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

9. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

10. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

11. Concluding Sentence (opinion): restates TS in new words + transitions to (introduces)the new idea in the next ¶

PARAGRAPH 3 (Body paragraph 2)

1. Transition + Topic Sentence=fact + opinion or all opinion:

2. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

3. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

4. Analysis explains significance of and/or supports previous sentence

5. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

6. Analysis (opinion explains significance of the fact/previous sentence)

7. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

8. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

9. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

10. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

11. Concluding Sentence (opinion): restates TS in new words + transitions to (introduces)the new idea in the next ¶

PARAGRAPH 4 (Body paragraph 3)

1. Transition + Topic Sentence=fact + opinion or all opinion:

2. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

3. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

4. Analysis explains significance of and/or supports previous sentence

5. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

6. Analysis (opinion explains significance of the fact/previous sentence)

7. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

8. Transition + Fact (quotation from literature):

9. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

10. Analysis (opinion) explains significance of the fact/previous sentence

11. Concluding Sentence (opinion): restates TS in new words + transitions to (introduces)the new idea in the next ¶

PARAGRAPH 5 Conclusion = all opinion (use #1, then each or any combination of the following items)

1. Restate thesis USING NEW WORDS

2. You may say what the readers have learned about the topic/from the literature, thanks to your explanation

3. If dealing with literature, you may say what the characters learn about themselves or about life.

4. You may call your reader to action, suggesting the benefits of action or the perils of failing to act.

Note well:

This option takes careful handling of tone: better to say “We all must . . .” rather than “You must.” Avoid commands such as “Now get out there and ______!”