How to write the first paper

Notes on HOW TO WRITE THE FIRST PAPER: Due July 23

Format:
3 double-spaced pages, 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.Due Date: July 23

Possible Procedure:

1) Reread the poems you are most interested in.

2) Using the terms we have covered in class, create some notes on what interests you most about the one poem.

3) Go over your notes and identify a possible thesis for your paper. Is your thesis contestable? Is it something that someone would disagree with? If so, you’re on the right path.4) Develop a contestable thesis about one of the poems we have read this semester.For example: Make a statement about the speaker, audience, or situation in the poem, something you can defend with solid evidence. You could also think about how imagery works in the poem.

How to Write a Paper:1) Begin with an introduction. In 6-8 sentences you should generally summarize the poem for the reader. What is the poem? Who wrote it? When did they write it? What is the poem generally about? You do not need to use any specific quotes here. You are just setting the reader up so that they will be able to understand what comes next.Value: 10pts

2) Your thesis paragraph: Begin with your contestable thesis. Your contestable thesis is what you will be arguing about the poem. It is the idea or notion that you are going to try to convince the reader to believe. Follow your thesis up with at least three specific examples from your poem that you believe support your argument. Explain each of these examples in a sentence or two. There is no need for heavy quoting in this paragraph. You are just setting the foundation for your paper.Value: 10 pts

3) 1st Body Paragraph. Here you are going to begin by reminding the reader of the 1st example you just mentioned to support your thesis. Basically, you are repeating that sentence, but rewording it slightly. Next, present a quote from the text that supports your point. Don’t include an extensive quote, a line or two will do. Next, explain in detail –three to four sentences – exactly how the quote supports your thesis.Value: 10pts

4) Find similar evidence in the text that supports your thesis in the same way, and then include another body paragraph focusing on that evidence. Use the same format as your previous body paragraph. If you cannot find this evidence, move on to the next paragraph.Value: 10 pts

5) Here you are going to begin by reminding the reader of the 2nd example you mentioned in your thesis paragraph. Basically, you are repeating that sentence, but rewording it slightly. Next, present a quote from the text that supports your point. Don’t include an extensive quote, a line or two will do. Next, explain in detail – three to four sentences – exactly how the quote supports your thesis.Value: 10 pts

6) Find similar evidence in the text that supports your thesis in the same way, then include another body paragraph focusing on that evidence that follows the same format as your previous body paragraph. If you cannot find this evidence, move on to the next paragraph.Value: 10 pts

7) 3rd Body Paragraph. Here you are going to begin by reminding the reader of the 3rd example you mentioned in your thesis paragraph. Basically, you are repeating that sentence, but rewording it slightly. Next, present a quote from the poem that supports your point. Don’t include an extensive quote, a line or two will do. Next, explain in detail –three to four sentences – exactly how the quote supports your thesis.Value: 10 pts

8) Find similar evidence in the poem that supports your thesis in the same way, then include another body paragraph focusing on that evidence that follows the same format as your previous body paragraph. If you cannot find this evidence, move on to the next paragraph.Value 10 pts

9) Summary. In the summary, you need to restate your thesis, then restate each of the points that you have used to support your thesis.
Value 10 pts