Example of a thesis statement of a short story

THESIS STATEMENT DIRECTS (2 Statements 2 Sentences each)

Topic: Did you enjoy "The Passing of Grandison"? This is actually one of my favorite short stories. You really have to read this story over and over to gain the true meaning of what Mr. Chesnutt was trying to convey to his audience. This brings me to again the critical analysis essay. You are now starting the major step to writing your critical analysis essay on "The Passing of Grandison". A critical analysis essay is when you analyze a piece of literature in order to find out the purpose of the story, to truly delve into the writer's mind and decipher why the story was written. Now, we cannot ask Mr. Chesnutt why he created the story, and if you guys said we could ask him, I would seriously be freaked out. (smile). In order for us to find the true meaning or meanings of why the story was created we must break it down (analyze). Now, if you have completed the quiz, defined the figurative language terms, you'll see that I've been trying to help you since day one. Therefore, you want to see how those terms can help you find the overall purpose of the story. For example, the theme is the underlying message about life that the author wishes to convey to his audience. What do you think the underlying message about life Mr. Chesnutt was conveying to you? Next, let's think about the conflicts, which conflict or conflicts were profoundly shown in the story and why? How does symbolism affect the story and the characters? The neat thing about researching the reason why Charles Chesnutt created this story is that you'll never be wrong. As long as you have evidence from the short story that supports your thesis, you'll be right! So let's go to the directions.

Directions: You must type two thesis statements that convey why Charles W. Chesnutt created "The Passing of Grandison". A thesis statement is like a GPS, it allows the reader to know your purpose and where you are going. In your two thesis statements, you must include the author's full name: Charles W. Chesnutt and you must include the title of the short story in quotation marks, "The Passing of Grandison". Also you must always use present tense verbs such as: create, illustrate, depicts, explores, reviews, describes, portrays, etc. As always there is an example attached. Please review the examples and you will see how you must write your two thesis statements. The main idea of this assignment is for you to tell your audience why you believe Charles Chesnutt created that specific short story; was it show the conflict of man versus man, was it to reveal the theme of unconditional love between a man and a woman he adored. Whatever you think it is, you are absolutely right, as long as you have evidence from the short story to support your answer. Please, please, please, look at my sample. Your thesis statements should be no longer than one or two sentences long. Remember, to indent each thesis statement, and place the word OR in all caps, centered, and bold in between your thesis statements. Points will be deducted if directions are not followed. You cannot use personal pronouns like: I,me,my,we,us, our. You cannot use contractions like: can't, shouldn't, didn't, won't,etc. Take your time with this assignment and really look at the samples to help you. You may use Arial or Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point font size. Follow the heading and title as usual.

WORKS CITED (3 Works Cited References from School Website that goes with Thesis Statement Chosen)

Topic: When you are working on a critical analysis essay, and you have created your thesis statement, your next step is to find sources that support your thesis statement. Your sources must support what ever you argued in your thesis statement. So, if you decided to go with Charles Chesnutt created the "Passing of Grandison" to reveal the conflict of man versus man between a father and a son, now you must find sources that support that particular conflict was being shown in the short story. Now, please be mindful, you will never find full sources that will solely talk about whatever you placed in your thesis, but if a source has at least one paragraph or one sentence in it that YOU BELIEVE connects to your thesis statement, then that's one of the sources you should use. Let's go to the directions.

Directions: You will need to find three sources that support your favorite thesis statement. Out of two thesis statements that you completed, you must now select one. After you select one of your thesis statements, you must stick with that thesis statement throughout the remainder of the assignments. Once you have selected your favorite thesis statement will have to find three sources that support your thesis. Your three sources must come from a database and I will show you the steps now: (Start these steps once you have logged onto Canvas):

1. Click on Library (the tab that is on the left hand side of your screen, right underneath the word 'Help')

2. Once you click on Library, scroll down until you see databases.

2a. Click on the title databases

3. Once you click on databases, click on the database titled - Literature Resource Center (this database is really resourceful when writing critical analysis essays).

4. Once you click on that database, type in the title - the passing of grandison, or type the phrase - passing of grandison. The title of the short story will come up.

5. At least four to five sources will be pop up, and remember, you only need three sources. Skim through the sources to see which sources will connect to your favorite thesis statement. Remember, if there is one paragraph in a source, or at least one sentence in that source then you can use that as one of your three sources.

6. Once you select a source, click the title of the source.

7. Once you click the title of the source, the source should open. Once it is open, to the right side of your screen click on Citation Tool. Once you click on Citation Tool, the source will come up in the correct MLA (8th) edition format. Make sure the source is the incorrect MLA (8th) edition format.

8. Copy and paste what you see in the Citation Tool box and paste it to your Microsoft word assignment.

9. Do this for all three of your sources. Of course I will be attaching a sample for you to review.

10. Make sure that all of your sources are in alphabetical order by the authors' last names.

11. Make sure that all of your sources are double-spaced, Arial or Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point font size.

12. If your sources go to the next line, you must do a hanging indentation. Please look at the sample attached. Which means make sure that your source are indented correctly. The first line of each source is NOT indented, it is actually all the other lines of that source that MUST be indented.

13. Remember anything that is in italics must stay in italics, anything that is in quotation marks must stay in quotation marks. That's why I always tell my students be careful when you copy and paste. When you are copying and pasting, remember to use the icon that says "Keep Formatting" that way it keep everything in the font that you use and it will keep what needs to be in italics.

This assignment can be difficult, but if you follow the steps, you will be totally fine. Points will be deducted for errors, therefore, you should take your time and read the directions carefully.

OUTLINE FOR CRITICAL ESSAY WRITING

Topic: This assignment will save your life IF you complete this correctly. The outline is an intense skeleton for your final critical analysis essay. The outline is actually like you writing your full critical analysis essay on "The Passing of Grandison". As always I have attached a sample. Really look at the sample and review it before beginning your work.

Directions: Please look at the sample that is attached. What you see highlighted, underlined, in bold and in parenthesis are directions for each roman numeral, number, and letter. The sample outline I've attached tells you what you should include for each roman numeral, letter, or number. Please read the highlighted information carefully. Remember, you are writing an outline which means you must have the roman numerals, numbers, and letters exactly the way the sample has them. You are creating an outline, so you should have roman numerals, letters and numbers just like the sample shown. Also, your outline must follow the same steps. For example you will have I. Introduction: II. Thesis Statements, etc. Just follow the sample. Here are other rules that you must follow while completing the outline:

1. You must use Arial or Times New Roman

2. 11 or 12 point font size

3. Everything must be typed and double-spaced

4. You will need your thesis statement, your Works Cited, and the short story, "The Passing of Grandison".

5. You cannot use personal pronouns like: I,me,my,we,us, our.

6. You cannot use contractions like: didn't, couldn't, shouldn't, don't, etc.

Take your time and review the sample attached. If you do this correctly, your final essay will be a piece of pie!