The Essay

English 11
 The Five Part Essay
• Long unit of writing
• Has and opening paragraph (introduction), middle paragraphs
(body) and a final paragraph (conclusion)
• Develops topics too broad or complex to be discussed in a
single paragraph
• Follows a central and controlling idea about the topic (thesis
statement)

2 types: Reflective Essays and Research Essays

Writing an Essay about
Symbols in a Work of
Literature
Symbol
● Greek meaning “to through together” (syn = together, ballein = to throw)

●A symbol creates an equation between a specific object, scene, character or action

and an idea. It is a substitute for the thing being symbolized.

●Cultural and universal symbols are those that are recognized by a cultural tradition.

●Contextual (private) symbols are not universally recognized and are found in the
context of the individual work itself. The context and circumstances of the work
make it a symbol. Ex. The beaded bag in “A Lady’s Beaded Bag”

●Archetypes are patterns that appear through history and across cultures.
“Rule of 3” for determining what is symbolic
●You should judge the importance that the author gives to a particular object, action
or character.

If the object, idea, character, etc is mentioned:

●One time, it is literal.

●Two times, it could be a coincidence.

●Third time, it is clear that a pattern has been established. This indicates that it may
be a symbol.
Symbol Essay
●Purpose – inform your audience (people who will read your paper) about a position
you are taking concerning a symbol in a work of literature.

●Goal – locate, organise, and synthesize information on a symbol or symbols in a

work of literature to support your thesis.

●Thesis – the idea that your are defending in your paper, your thoughts on a specific
work by an author. You must prove this with textual evidence taken from the work
in question.

Example: Line X proves the thesis because it states, “ YYYYY.”

Helpful hand outs to use in preparing your
essay: BLUE ESSAY REVIEW PACKAGE
●“Essay Outline Graphic”

●“Pointers to Remember when Writing Literary Essays”

●“INTEGRATING QUOTES”

●“Pre-writing Questions”

●“Drafting”