Writing assistance
"No sooner do we come into this world than bits of us start to drop off." -- Gustave Flaubert
General paper advice
This is a page of general paper advice. Please look to the other links for more assistance.
Key characteristics of a solid essay (for me at least):
- A strong, coherent argument. Outline your essay to ensure that your points follow one another in a logical manner. Most of all exhibit an understanding of the complexities of the issue at hand. Demonstrate that you understand the implications of your position and be fair to the side (if there is one) that you argue against.
- Your argument should be based in the text. Every paragraph should contain a citation, a detail, a quotation from the text that supports your argument. Do not editorialize (away from the text)! Let the text be the basis for your opinion and your argument will be much stronger. (and BEWARE of plagiarism -- see website section on Source Use)
More General Advice
- provide an interesting title
- do not provide plot summaries; always make an argument as you write and only give plot where necessary; remember that I have read or watched the text.
- preferably use no long quotes in a short essay
- remember that this is a literature class; you should not be writing essays for an Advertising class and submitting them as if they constitute close readings of a literary text.
- don't point out the obvious.
- provide a works cited page
- Go to Academic Resource Center for assistance. :-)
MLA guidance: Look to a MLA (Modern Literature Association) Handbook for better directions.
You should have no cover sheet.
Everything should be doublespaced.
The left top of your first page should look something like this:
your name
the Prof's name
the name of the course
the date
Your title should be centered directly below your date; do not skip lines
On the upper far right header, you should have your last name with the page number
Use parenthetical citation with the author of the text followed by a page number: (Twain 23)
Go to a handbook for information about the works cited page.