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Review essay practice

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This document provides instructions for writing a controlling idea essay comparing how two literary works deal with a character struggling to define their identity. Students are asked to choose two works, develop a thesis statement, and for each work identify the title, author, characters, and how the characters struggle with their identity through specific literary elements rather than plot summary. Students should plan their response using a Venn diagram to organize their thesis statement and evidence from the two texts. Examples of potential controlling ideas for comparison are also provided.

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Controlling Idea Essay Practice
Definition • a controlling idea is a theme that appears in two or more texts. For example, if given the topic of fear, you might note that both Night and Lord of the Flies support the idea that fear influences people to act out of character.
Graphic Organizer = Venn Diagram
Your Task Directions: Write a well-developed and well-organized essay on the following: Many authors deal with a character’s struggle to define who they are. From among the books, plays, and short stories you have read, choose two works in which there is a character who is struggling to determine their true identity. Develop a thesis statement about the characters’ struggle as described in the two works you have chosen. Then, for each work: ▫ Identify the title and author of the two works ▫ Identify the characters ▫ Using specific references, describe how they are struggling to determine their identity ▫ Avoid plot summary: Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, setting, conflict, characterization) to develop your analysis Must have an introduction, body paragraph (s) and conclusion.
Plan Out Your Response • CREATE A VENN DIAGRAM THAT ▫ IDENTIFIES THE TEXTS YOU PLAN TO USE ▫ INCLUDES THE THESIS STATEMENT YOU ▫ CITES THE EVIDENCE YOU’LL USE TO BACK UP YOUR THESIS STATEMENT
Wash, Rinse, Repeat • Create Venn Diagrams for the topics below: ▫ Mistreatment of fellow humans ▫ Darkness ▫ Importance of relationships ▫ Doing what’s right ▫ Conflict

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Review essay practice

  • 2. Definition • a controlling idea is a theme that appears in two or more texts. For example, if given the topic of fear, you might note that both Night and Lord of the Flies support the idea that fear influences people to act out of character.
  • 3. Graphic Organizer = Venn Diagram
  • 4. Your Task Directions: Write a well-developed and well-organized essay on the following: Many authors deal with a character’s struggle to define who they are. From among the books, plays, and short stories you have read, choose two works in which there is a character who is struggling to determine their true identity. Develop a thesis statement about the characters’ struggle as described in the two works you have chosen. Then, for each work: â–« Identify the title and author of the two works â–« Identify the characters â–« Using specific references, describe how they are struggling to determine their identity â–« Avoid plot summary: Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, setting, conflict, characterization) to develop your analysis Must have an introduction, body paragraph (s) and conclusion.
  • 5. Plan Out Your Response • CREATE A VENN DIAGRAM THAT â–« IDENTIFIES THE TEXTS YOU PLAN TO USE â–« INCLUDES THE THESIS STATEMENT YOU â–« CITES THE EVIDENCE YOU’LL USE TO BACK UP YOUR THESIS STATEMENT
  • 6. Wash, Rinse, Repeat • Create Venn Diagrams for the topics below: â–« Mistreatment of fellow humans â–« Darkness â–« Importance of relationships â–« Doing what’s right â–« Conflict