Model for Essay Writing

AP English Literature

Fall 2013

1) Read prompt 1977:

In some novels and plays certain parallel or

recurring events prove to be significant. In an

essay, describe the major similarities and

differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring

events in a novel or play and discuss the

significance of such events. Do not merely

summarize the plot.

2) Reread prompt

1977:

In some novels and plays certain parallel or

recurring events prove to be significant. In an

essay, describe the major similarities and

differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring

events in a novel or play and discuss the

significance of such events. Do not merely

summarize the plot.

3) Annotate the prompt

1977:

In some novels and plays certain parallel or

recurring events prove to be significant. In an

essay, describe the major similarities AND differences

in a sequence of parallel or recurring

events in a novel or play and discuss the

significance of such events. Do not merely

summarize the plot.

4) Brainstorm• Select a novel or play – IM (duh )• sequence of parallel or recurring events

• describe the major similarities and differences

• discuss the significance of such events

5) Outline Intro. Paragraph

• Ralph Ellison + active verb* In Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison creates bestial scenes which illustrate the depths white men will go to in order to dehumanize the black man.

• Amplifying Sentence• Answer with list of three• Transition clause, thematic statement

5) Outline Intro. Paragraph

• Amplifying Sentence

• Horrifying scenes of black man pitted against black man merely for the entertainment of the white man permeates this novel.

• Answer with list of three

• Transition clause, thematic statement

5) Outline Intro. Paragraph

• Answer with list of three• The parallel scenes depicted in the Battle

Royal, the Golden Day, and the Harlem Race Riots, find the Invisible Man not only opposed to his own race but doing it for the amusement of the white man. These scenes demonstrate humanity at its worst.

• Transition clause, thematic statement

5) Outline Intro. Paragraph

• Transition clause, thematic statement

• All of these scenes contribute to the Invisible Man’s living in “a hole” at the end of the novel and uphold Ellison’s theme that the world is not as it seems.

6) Write Intro. Paragraph• In Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison creates bestial scenes

which illustrate the depths white men will go to in order to dehumanize the black man. Horrifying scenes of black man pitted against black man merely for the entertainment of the white man permeate this novel. The parallel scenes depicted in the Battle Royal, the Golden Day, and the Harlem Race Riots, find the Invisible Man not only opposed to his own race but doing it for the amusement of the white man. All of these scenes contribute to the Invisible Man’s living in “a hole” at the end of the novel and uphold Ellison’s theme that the world is not as it seems.

7) Begin Body One Paragraph

• Battle Royal

• The world is not as it seems.

8) Begin Body Two Paragraph

• The Golden Day

• The world is not as it seems.

9) Begin Body Three Paragraph

• The Harlem Race Riot

• The world is not as it seems.

10) I have a little bit of a conclusion!

The conclusion should bring conclude your topic but not simply restate what you have already said. This is a good place in your novel to demonstrate your scholarly knowledge about Ellison, literary period, etc.