Editing Gatsby Critical Essay

• Get in WORK MODE• Have your THESIS and POINTS out in front of

you for review. • What evidence are you using from Gatsby?• How are you using your SECONDARY sources?

• There is an interesting hook that is related to the thesis and content of the paper. (COMMENT)

• Relevant context is established and explained. • There is a necessary and RELEVANT introduction to

the book’s plot and characters in the intro. • Introduction flows logically, creatively, connecting

sentences and ideas using transitions, tailored to the THESIS statement.

• There is a CLEAR and STRONG thesis statement that extends beyond the book

• The writer states HOW the thesis will be proven

INTRODUCTION – label its parts!

Rate each on a scale of 1-5

• Subtopics are CLEAR and SUPPORTIVE of thesis?

• Analysis proves an argument with minimal summary?

• Depth in evidence and understanding of text?

• PRAISE and a PUSH

• PRAISE?• PUSH?

The Quote Can’t Stand Alone(To the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)

• The Quote Can’t Stand Alone• The Quote Can’t Stand Alone• All Quotes need signal phrases and citations to call

home.

Using Signal Phrases

USE COLON :When signal phrase is

a complete sentence!

Example: Hamilton examines Huxley’s attitude toward war: “Quote.”

USE COMMA ,When signal phrase is

an incomplete phrase!

Example: Beetz states in his article, “Quote.”

Quoting Dialogue: BLOCK QUOTE

Nick and Jordan discuss their plans:Exactly as it appears in the book, but the entire thing is indented.

“I want to go to Central Park.” Jordan insisted despite my protest.

“I don’t.” I wasn’t going to lose this battle. I had to convince her somehow.

“I do,” Jordan retorted, “and I want you to tell me you love me.” (Fitzgerald 230) PERIOD GOES INSIDE

Block Quote (for quotes over 4 lines on your page)

Broderick also discusses the importance of having a solid relationship with a paternal figure: (note the colon)

Begin your quote here without anyquotation marks. The entire blocked quote should be indented on the page. The

citation follows the quote after the period. (1046) (note I did not repeat the author’s name because it’s in my signal phrase. If this was a WEB source, I would be done after the period!)

Continue your paragraph here.

In- text Citation examples• Kirk Beetz, professor of English at Harvard University, states in his

article, “Overcoming Adversity,” that there are “many obstacles that society as a whole faced in the 18th century” (23).

• Beetz also claims, “Gender roles were subverted in many of Austen’s novels” (24).

• The lack of submission in Austen’s novels show how “gender roles were subverted” (Beetz 24).

• Remember, only PRINT sources have page numbers!• Joan DeMarco, author of “Patriarchal Societies in the 17th Century”

states, “Father figures controlled the household.” (no page for web source, period inside!)

FORMATTING

• Proper MLA formatting – 1inch margins, Times New Roman, size 12, double spaced, no extra spacing between heading, title, and paragraphs.

• There is an original title (centered) that indicates what the paper will be about.

• There is a heading: Lennie Small Mrs. Kim

American Literature H 12 December 2012

• and a page header (Last name #).

Conclusion – Praise and Push1) Does not start with “In conclusion,” 2) Does start with a conclusive and insightful

statement addressing the thesis3) Thesis is revisited, not restated4) Make conclusive statements IN LIGHT of the

evidence and points you have made!5) FUNNEL OUT – connect to the real world6) DON’T repeat yourself. DON’T preach. DON’T

end with a question!

Final check list for your essay…• Meet the word count? 1200-1500 words?• Are Book Titles Italicized and “Articles in Quotes”?• Use formal language? (Avoid slang, strong opinionated

words)• Analyze in PRESENT TENSE VERBS?• Have a minimum of 3 book quotes?• Have a minimum of 2 secondary sources? (1 must be a

critical essay about Gatsby from Lit Resource Center)• Are ALL quotes signaled in and cited??• Have a Works Cited page? (example on my wiki)