In your own essay, please underline your thesis and topic sentences. The thesis does not have to appear as the last sentence in the introductory paragraph. The topic sentences do not have to appear as the first sentence in the body paragraphs. As long as you underline these key sentences, I will know that you understand structure and organization. For an explanation of thesis sentences in general see Grading, click on Thesis.

The specific thesis for this essay: do not write a thesis that is limited to the events in the story. The assignment calls for a feminist, psychoanalytical, or Marxist interpretation. These interpretations give you a more universal perspective and promote more insight into the working of the world.

Length: This essay should be at least three pages; I do not want you to do research yet, and I do not require a Works Cited page.

Checklist: I will use this to grade essay 1. This checklist shows the appropriate organization for these essays. Follow carefully.

Avoid wordiness and passive voice.

Example of essay on poems of work

Example of essay on "Like a Winding Sheet" available after the essay 1 is graded.