English 1302: Overview of the Essay and Rules for the ThesisAThe Four Principles of an Effective Essay@:The Essay Should:1. Begin with a clearly stated point (thesis).2. Provide logical, detailed specific support for the thesis. (All points support the thesis).3. Be organized and coherent. It shouldAflow.@4. Be written in clear, error-free sentences.The Basic Shape of an Academic Essay:A.Introduction-Many different techniques available (try more than one in your draftingBasking questions, start witha quote,>Broad to Narrow,=definition, overview of the issues, Narrative, Both sides of the issue) butcommon sense dictates: the intro leads to the thesis-End intro paragraph with your thesis (which is the single, unifying point of the essay).B.Body-As many paragraphs as it takes to prove the thesis.There is no “5 paragraph rule” here. In fact, Istrongly encourage you to avoid writing essays in the 5 paragraph formula. If you are used to writingthis way, force yourself to write your first essay with 6, 7, possibly even 4 paragraphs.-Each body paragraph offers a distinct point to help prove the thesis.-Use topic sentences. A topic sentence establishes and limits the topic of that paragraph, provides aspecific argument for that paragraph, and refersBin some wayBback to the thesis.-Body can be developed utilizing a number of different approaches: comparison/contrast, cause andeffect, process analysis, narrative, description,classification, definition, exemplification.-Provide plenty of specific examples and details.C.Conclusion-Don=t bring up anyAnew@arguments/issues in the conclusion, but...-Don=t just repeat the introduction-The conclusion shouldAwrap things up;@it should reiterate the overall point.Some Notes on the Thesis:I. The thesis can also be called: Your claim, your central point, your argument.II. The thesisShould be: A complete sentence, Precise in wording,Limited to a single argument, At or nearthe end of the introduction, and of course, arguable.III. The thesisShould Not be: A fact, A question, Too broad or too narrow for the scope of the essay. It alsoshould not announce (i.e.AIn this essay, I will show...@) and it should not begin with phrases such asAIn my opinion...,@AI personally feel..@IV. A Plan of Development is an option, not a requirement. (A P.O.D. is when you list the points of your essayin your thesis:AThe Spurs will win the championship becauseof their defense, coaches, and fans.@Thisthesis sets up a formulaic 5 paragraph essay.) You will find that for many writing assignments in yourclasses a thesis with a plan of development just won’t work. It is much more important that youremember that your thesis is first and foremostyour argument: “The Spurs will win the championship”is a good, clear thesis.Some Specific Issues Involved with Literary Analysis:-Introduction should include the author(s) and title(s) being discussed in the essay.-Use present tense when referring to the literature.-Avoid using first personAI,@however,Awe@(referring to the audience or reader) is acceptable.-For theAvoice@in the work: In most cases, refer to theAspeaker@for poetry, theAnarrator@in fiction.(There will be times when the name of the speaker/narrator is known, so it is okay to use that name).-Treat characters as if they are real.-Assume your audience has read the work(s) youare discussing (so plot summary is not necessary),-Do use quotes and direct references to the literature to support your points.