A One-Idea Essayusing the IQC

Pattern

THESIS STATEMENT

The THESIS STATEMENT is your strongest statement.

It sometimes starts the paragraph, but not always!

It includes the TAG + a general focus statement.

It answers the question.

THESIS STATEMENT

If you are asked this question: Is Sherlock Holmes a memorable detective?

Your thesis statement might look like this:

In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective story, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” Sherlock Holmes proves himself a clever and memorable detective.

IDEA SENTENCE

The idea sentence goes one step further – it gives a deeper explanation. THINK TO YOURSELF, “He’s memorable because…”

It might look like this: Holmes uses his fantastic powers of

observation to solve the crime and remain unforgettable to his readers.

INTRODUCTION TO THE QUOTATION

This is where you give context to your chosen quotation… do not leave it floating alone. Give the speaker (if necessary) and any background information about the scene or setting. Upon meeting Helen Stoner, Holmes immediately

notices she has come in by train. While she has not told him this information, his powers of observation help him deduce this fact. When she asks him how he knows, he notes,PS. You must choose the quotation before this step!

QUOTATION Your quotation does NOT have to be part of

the spoken dialogue of the story. Any segment of text you pull from a written work can be considered the “quotation.” he notes, “I observe the second half of a return

ticket in the palm of your left glove” (Conan Doyle 2).

Please notice the citation here. The period after glove was dropped and placed after the parentheses. The author’s last name and page number are included.

COMMENTARY You must comment on the fact that the

quotation proves your thesis. It must be more in-depth than your

thesis or idea sentence. It should tie into your thesis, but in a

deeper way. Like this:

Holmes’ ability to observe and analyze clues far outweighs other characters and detectives.

CONCLUSION SENTENCE SUM IT UP – think outside the box a little here.

You want the big picture. Think about things you know about Holmes and/or Conan Doyle, and try to tie them in here.

You could make a connection to the real world. What can we learn from the detective? Why read Conan Doyle? Can modern day detectives learn from Holmes?

Conan Doyle’s detective has remained a popular character for over a century because of his superior and admirable abilities to solve crimes.

PS. If you mention the author, use last name only.

In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective story, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” Sherlock Holmes proves himself a clever and memorable detective. Holmes uses his fantastic powers of observation to solve the crime and remain unforgettable to his readers. Upon meeting Helen Stoner, Holmes immediately notices she has come in by train. While she has not told him this information, his powers of observation help him deduce this fact. When she asks him how he knows, he notes, “I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove” (Conan Doyle 2). Holmes’ ability to observe and analyze clues far outweighs other characters’ and detectives’. Conan Doyle’s detective has remained a popular character for over a century because of his superior powers of observation and admirable deductive abilities to solve crimes.

THE FINAL …