2,000 word essay for english

The Ideal English Essay

“Ideal” meaning a standard that seems excellent and worth trying to achieve

Ideal Writing Style & Format • Uses Standard English • Avoids informality • Avoids excessive formality • Language is precise • Language is concise • Few to no grammatical errors • Cites all primary and secondary sources used or consulted • Uses MLA format – parenthetical citations

Ideal Essay Content

In General

• The topic (subject of the paper) is sufficiently narrow. In other words, it is possible to cover the topic in depth and detail within approx 2,000 words

• The paper provides evidence of thoughtful reading (even re-reading) of the assigned text(s).

• The analysis conveys insight into (1) meaning of the text(s) and (2) ways in which that meaning is conveyed.

• The essay takes the form of an analysis/interpretation rather than a book report or a book review.

• The essay refrains from evaluating (praising or criticizing, making comments about “relatability,” etc.)

• The essay refrains from speculating about the motivation of the author, or hypothetical readers.

• The essay refrains from speculating about the content of the text(s). • The essay refrains from unnecessary, extensive description, explanation or plot summary. • The essay refrains from editorializing about how the essay will or has been written, e.g.,

comments such as “First, the imagery in this quotation must be analysed.” • The essay contains a suitable number of well-developed paragraphs (optimum number

dictated by the thesis). Caveat: 3-paragraph format to be avoided at all costs. • The essay is unified (explores and supports a single clear, specific insight) and coherent

(points are explicitly and effectively linked).

In particular – introduction

• The introduction provides a suitably narrow context for the topic and the thesis – NO sweeping generalizations using phrases such as “throughout history,” “in all literature,” “every hero.” NO generic definitions or explanations of the topic.

• The introduction identifies WHAT the essay will cover: (1) the author(s) and the title(s)

of the story (or stories) • The introduction identifies WHAT the essay will cover: (2) a topic in the story (or

stories), e.g., war, families, courage, etc., in some detail, i.e., immediately starts focussing narrowly on the topic – gives an idea of the specific perspective on this topic afforded by the story (or stories).

• The introduction identifies WHAT the essay will cover: (3) the specific elements or aspects of the story (or stories), i.e., the actual patterns of evidence to be analysed.

• The introduction contains a clear and effective thesis – see thesis statement guides and instructions posted on-line.

• The introduction does NOT substitute a purpose statement for a thesis statement. Caveat: NO purpose statements permitted.

• The thesis statement does NOT consist of or contain a list. In particular the three-pronged thesis has been avoided.

In particular – organization of paragraphs

• The organization (i.e., the sequence) of paragraphs is logical and persuasive. • Comparison/contrast has been effectively used; the argument unpacks ideas revealed by

shared elements (or contrasting elements) rather than just listing similarities or dissimilarities.

In particular – paragraph development

• Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence (main idea) that is clear and specific. • Each topic sentence contains an idea that supports and develops the thesis. • Each body paragraph contains sufficient evidence in the form of concrete details --

either quotations or paraphrase of specific details -- from the story • All quotations have been seamlessly integrated into the essay • Specific and thoughtful analysis has been supplied for each concrete detail (at least two

sentences of commentary, more if needed) • The analysis clearly explains the connections between the concrete details, the topic

sentences and thesis statement in order to build a clear, convincing analysis. • The links between each sentence in the paragraph are explicit, clear, and logical. • The links between paragraphs are explicit, clear, and logical

In particular – conclusion • The conclusion sums up the gist of the argument effectively, rather than simply

duplicating the introduction..