The Structure of an
Essay
An English essay consists of four main parts:
A Title
An Introduction
Body Paragraphs
A Conclusion
Parts of an Essay
Your title is important: it is the first thing the reader sees. It should
suggest your thesis and include your topic, writer, and work in question.
The Roles of Minor Characters in
Don Aker's The First Stone
I) Title
The first paragraph must contain:
an introductory statement or lead, and elaboration sentences
a THESIS, which consists of i) a position or argument
ii) a plan of development
II) Introduction
Do NOT begin your thesis statement with phrases such as, "In this essay I will..." or "The purpose of this paper is...". Be concise.
Example: Don Aker uses literary
devices in the novel, The First Stone
Thesis Statement:
This is a short, concise summary or
outline of the subtopics you will use to prove your argument.
Example: Foreshadowing, flashback, and irony are three examples of
literary devices evident throughout the novel.
Plan of Development:
The body of an essay consists of
separate paragraphs, each dealing
with one of the subtopics listed in the plan of development.
Example:
Body Paragraph One: Irony
Body Paragraph Two: Foreshadowing Body Paragraph Three: Cliffhangers
III) The Body:
First, find proof (quotes) from the novel which strongly support your thesis.
Write a clear topic sentence.
Introduce your quote with a clear explanation of the circumstances surrounding the quotation.
Copy the quotation word for word from the text
Suggestions for Good Body
Paragraphs
Do NOT begin or end a paragraph with a quotation.
Do NOT use an excessive number of quotations.
Do NOT write a quotation without introducing it with an explanation.
Do NOT's in Creating
Paragraphs
The conclusion of an essay also consists of three distinct parts:
a) the THESIS creatively restated
b) the subtopics summarized
c) a general closing statement
IV) Conclusion
Do NOT introduce NEW information or
give your personal opinion of the work
of literature
Groups
Both male and female
characters play vital roles in Reef’s character
development. Select three male OR three female
characters, and for each provide three examples
indicating their influence on Reef.
Don Aker uses symbols in The First Stone. Choose three types of symbols (e.g. people, places,
events, objects), and for each explain the
contribution of three examples.
Group One Kayla Broomer
Trai Shea
Devon Haddlesey Brandon Junkin
Group Two Matt C Sam Groen Courtney Griffin
Lucky Gionette
Groups
Conflicts are necessary for the development of The First Stone. Select three types of conflicts (e.g.
person vs. person, person vs. self), and for each
explain the contribution of three examples.
Each character in The First Stone has an important role in the novel due to his/her personality traits. Choose three minor characters (e.g.
Jink, Frank, Brett, Alex), and for each define his/her
contribution to the novel due to three personality traits.
Group Three Austin Wilkins
Taylor Bain Jaslyn Damant Luke Anderson
Ben Waterson
Group Four Miranda Fargo
Jamie Walker Mason McCallum
Jamie Harvard
Groups
The First Stone has many qualities which contribute to its appeal to young
readers. Identify three aspects of the novel that are appealing to a young audience, and for each
provide three examples for support.
Group Five Taylor Cramp
Nick Katcher Bethany Patterson
Nathan Kendrick Jake Dejong