Essay Writing

Essay WritingReflections from south of the border and at an altitude of 31,000 feet.

The Question

Interpret it CORRECTLY

In his collection of essays, Sir Francis Bacon writes, “Certainly in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is superior: for it is a prince’s part to pardon.” What does Bacon have to say about revenge? What doesn’t Hamlet (a prince!) do? What does Shakespeare say about that? What could you say about that?

Before writing: THINK

In a novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life “is a search for justice.” Justice for what? What injustices have occurred? Why is justice necessary? Why must it be a lifelong quest? What are the consequences of this search for

justice?

Then, CONNECT

What justice does Hamlet seek?

Is this a worthy quest?

What is at stake if he does not pursue justice?

What is at risk if he follows this path?

How should he proceed? How does he proceed?

Is justice achieved? At what cost?

How does the playwright feel about justice?

How do you know?

Finally, INTRODUCE

Start with the bigger implications of the topic.

The first sentence of your essay should always be your words and your ideas about the topic. Later reference to the prompt is okay.

Incidentally, plagiarizing the prompt is a BAD IDEA.

Do not assume the reader’s interpretation of the prompt or quote will be the same as yours, clarify and explain the prompt in your introduction.

Your THESIS

Should, at minimum, answer the question!

Should be directly related to the quote!

Essay graders are not mind readers; make connections explicit. For example, if you’re answering the question about

justice and writing about the theme of revenge in Hamlet, be sure to make it clear how the two are related.

A safe way to do this would be to include both ideas in your thesis statement.

The EssayWriting Reminders

Regarding Plot

Assume the reader is familiar with the storyline and the characters. Queen Gertrude is sufficient explanation. Queen Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, who remarried

his uncle, King Claudius, just two months after they King Hamlet (Hamlet’s father) died wastes your reader’s time and insults her intelligence.

Plot summary shall here forth be banished.

Plot summary ≠ analysis.

Analysis = Character development Conflict and resolution Literary techniques such as imagery or soliloquy Theme and larger significance Tone and how that influences our sympathy Rhetorical techniques such as diction Etc. (Etc. does not include “what happened”)

Plot in one sentence or less

One sentence, or even better, just one phrase should be sufficient to “place” your reader at the appropriate moment in the text.

Then, illustrate, analyze and explain, and move on.

Hamlet’s hasty mistake in stabbing Polonius unmasks his emotional instability. A saner character would have taken a moment to part the curtains before plunging the knife through them. Ironically, Hamlet does not hesitate to take revenge upon the nameless and perhaps blameless intruder in his mother’s bedroom, while, in contrast, he deliberates endlessly over his Uncle’s actions.

Passive voice ≠ analysis

Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia was troubled.

VS

Hamlet treated Ophelia carelessly and without thought to her well-being.

Hamlet cast off Ophelia, focusing solely upon his selfish quest for revenge.

Significance

What is significance?

Why do we read?

Hint: everything written says something about human nature.

Why are we still reading Hamlet three hundred and some years after it was written?

Where does this sort of information work well in an essay?

Hint: be subtle

It’s more significant if you can say it without saying “significant.”

Hamlet succeeds in revenging his father’s murder, but his action come at a high price. Not only does he forfeit his own life, but the lives of those who find themselves inconveniently placed in the way. As with any untimely death, King Hamlet surely deserves justice, but the human toll of Hamlet’s quest calls into question the value of seeking vengeance. Ultimately, the demise of the Danish court reinforces Sir Francis Bacon’s advice: it is in passing revenge over that we set ourselves above our transgressors.

RevisionTargeted, because time is of the essence.

Just the important stuff

Does your thesis statement answer the question?

Does your essay support your thesis statement? Revise your thesis, not your essay!

Do your topic sentences reflect the content of your paragraphs? Revise the sentence, not the whole paragraph!

Have you transitioned between paragraphs?

Do you need to revise your first sentence so that it’s original and catchier?

Could your conclusion benefit from a little more significance?

Your Turn!

Mark up your essays!

Your lead?

Your introductory paragraph as a whole?

Your thesis?

Your topic sentences and transitions?

Too much plot summary?

Passive voice? Repetitive sentence structure?

Your conclusion?

Rewrite

On a separate sheet of paper, revise either your introduction or your conclusion.

Hint: Writing twice as much does not necessarily equal better writing!