Introductory Paragraph should have the following:1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel

(text, p. 36)

1. Full name of the author in the first sentence; after that, just his or her last name, no matter what gender (text, p. 36)

2. Thesis statement – central argument/position (not a fact) which drives your essay;

Introductory Paragraph: examples1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel (p.

36)e.g. In the novel The Good Earth (underline

novel titles, use quotations for short works: poems, short stories, essays)

2. Full name of the author (p. 36)e.g. In the novel The Good Earth by Pearl S.

Buck, (comma!) …

3. Thesis statement (see next slide)

Intro: Thesis (CFC)Thesis statement: a) names a “complexity” or a “juxtaposition”

between two ideas, or some kind of “contradiction”, or “change.” (e.g. hot & cold, tension & release) a.k.a. shift (in tone, setting…)

b) explains the function of the “complexity” (what is its role in the novel, story?)

c) contains key words or conjunctions for the thesis: BUT, HOWEVER, YET, NOT ONLY…BUT, ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH etc.

What is a thesis statement?

How do I Know if my Thesis is Strong?Acronym: CFC

1. Have I named a complexity /juxtaposition/shift?

2. Have I stated the function of the complexity/shift?

3. Have I used conjunctions such as although, not only… but, however, yet… TO HELP ME WITH THE SENTENCE STRUCTURE?

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:1. Have I taken a position others would oppose?2. Now that I have my thesis, do I know what to

write about?

Choose the best thesis statement from the list below and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide.Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a

great American novel.In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain

develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

By contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that in order to experience American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

Choose the best thesis statement from the list below and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide.In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses

setting to reflect the character and development of the main character, Mathilde Loisel.

In “The Necklace,” Mathilde’s character changes dramatically.

In “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant uses setting to show the development of the main character, Mathilde Loisel. The change in her character can be related to the first apartment, the dream-life mansion rooms, the attic flat, and the public street.

Let’s re-cap: In the intro, we needThe title of the literary work (what do we underline?

when do we use quotations?)Full name of the author at first; after that, only the

last nameThesis – CFC (complexity or shift, function,

conjunctions)1.An argument, position - NOT A FACT2.C: Shows a ‘”complexity” (contradiction: hot & cold,

tension/release), a.k.a. juxtaposition, change, shift3.F: Explains the “function” of the complexity/shift

(What is the purpose or role of that complexity?) 4.C: Conjunctions or key words to help you construct

the thesis: not only … but, however, yet, despite, but

Practice #1:The Good Earth, p.183, last paragraph, “When O-lan had come to…” - CFC1. What is the “complexity” or “shift”

(contradiction, change, complication, juxtaposition)?

2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this complexity or shift?

3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words: but, yet, however, although… (shifts or changes in meaning, tone, setting… )

4. If you had to break this passage down, where would you break it? Where is the “cut” or SHIFT?

P. 183, last paragraph: Construct your thesis (read passage first)

COMPLEXITY/SHIFT – SNIPPETS OF QUOTES

FUNCTION CONJUNCTIONS

O-lan was “health to his flesh”

suggests a healthy relationship with O. quality of W.’s relationship with O.

But

O-lan:“he lusted for her robustly as a beast for his mate”

suggests the strength of his desire, passion

BUT(SHIFT): Lotus: “no health in her for him”

Contrast!!! Is Lotus like a disease, the opposite of health? (quality of his relationship with Lotus)

ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH

Lotus: “dying of thirst,” “greater thirst,” “unsatisfied”

suggests unhappiness,dissatisfaction, dysfunctional attraction, addiction?

Thesis: Wang___________,but(SHIFT)__________.(students provide examples of possible sentences)

Practice #2:The Good Earth, p.214, first paragraph, “As he had been healed…” - CFC1. What is the “complexity” OR “shift

(contradiction, change, complication, juxtaposition)?

2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this complexity?

3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words:but, however, yet, although… (shifts or changes in meaning, tone, setting… )

4. If you had to break this passage down, where would you break it? Where is the “cut” or “shift?”

P. 214, first paragraph: Construct your thesisCOMPLEXITY/SHIFT – SNIPPETS OF QUOTES

FUNCTION CONJUNCTIONS

“healed of his sickness of heart”

W. is feeling better (his love for Lotus made him crazy, ill (synonyms for sick)

ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH

AGAIN??? “healed of his sickness of love”

W. got over Lotus

“he lay down upon his land”

W. feels intimate with his land, the “good earth” again

BUT

SHIFT: “health of the earth spread into his flesh and he was healed of his sickness”

ha! found my “complexity” or “juxtaposition” – now he’s healthy, and his land cured him. That’s his medicine.

Thesis: ___________, BUT(SHIFT)___________.(students provide examples of possible sentences)

More exercises for CFC from The Good Earth:Practice #3: pp.108-9, last paragraph +

top of p. 109, “It was only one day…” – CFC

Practice #4: pp.125-126, last paragraph until the middle of the p. 126: “O-lan took it and sewed it into a shoe sole…”

Practice #5: pp.359-360, the end of the novel: “But one day he saw…” until the end of the novel.