Introductions and Quotations

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An interesting, general statement about the topic, such as an insightful thematic statement.Identify the author, genre, title, year of

publication, and setting of the work you will be discussing.Ex: Orson Scott Card’s novel Ender’s Game (1985) takes place in a futuristic world besieged by aliens.

Identify the character(s) and action(s) you will be discussing.Ex: The protagonist, Ender, is chosen to lead the army that will rid the universe of “Buggers.”A sentence that tells what your paper will be about. Your

thesis should be arguable and clear.Ex: Ender is an excellent leader of the forces because his personality is a unique combination of compassion and brutality.

Characters are defined by their personality and actions. In his novel , Of Mice and Men  (1937), John Steinbeck  creates realistic and complex characters whose traits determine their success in life. The novel tells the story of George Milton , a migrant worker during the Great Depression , who has chosen to care for a mentally handicapped man named Lennie . Despite the conflicts that Lennie creates, George remains a dedicated and patient giver. George’s determination and compassion are qualities that allow him to overcome difficult situations and continue to make the right choices for Lennie’s well-being. 

Using QuotationsQuotes do not just refer to what characters say (dialogue).

They refer to any information you take directly from the text.

George does NOT “quote.” George says: “"You'd drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty."

Quotes must always be put into context. After they leave the first farm, George says: “"You'd drink out

of a gutter if you was thirsty“ (3).Quotes must always be explained. When George says this,

we can infer that…, and so it shows that…Citing quotes: For a paper that is about one text, you do not

need to put the author, but you must always put the page number.

Another Example: Odysseus’ epic hero strength is shown in the encounter with the Cyclops. Odysseus is able to escape the cave by hanging from a ram’s wool, “clutching him by his back, tucked up under his shaggy bell, there I hung, face upward…clinging for dear life” (225). Obviously, no mere mortal could hang from a sheep’s wool for an entire night; Odysseus’ strength is that of an epic hero.