Writing the InClass Essay Your Purpose To use

Writing the In-Class Essay

Your Purpose To use specific evidence from the novel to prove your point

Your Structure Multi-paragraph essay Introduction with a concise, specific thesis statement Multi-paragraph body with specific evidence and transitions Conclusion that ends with your best line or thought – “take us” to your final line

Your Evidence Must come from several parts of the novel Should demonstrate thorough reading and comprehension of the novel Needs to be the best evidence possible

Your Source Citations Use parenthetical citation to cite specific evidence Three parts of a direct quote citation: Set-up (transition into the quote Quote Analysis Example from Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead: At his introduction in the novel, Keating initially appears more successful than Roark as the “star student of Stanton, president of the student body, member of the most important fraternity, and voted most popular man on campus” (29).

Three parts to a quote citation -- weak Billionaire Gail Wynand is an example of both individualism and collectivism. He shows that a person cannot be both, and his compromising morals lead to mediocrity. Gail shows his individualism through his private art collection. “The things he collected were chosen by standards of his own. He had famous masterpieces; he had canvases by unknown artists; he rejected the works of immortal names for which he did not care. ” His appreciation of art is selfish, for his eyes only…

Three parts to a quote citation -- better Billionaire Gail Wynand is an example of both individualism and collectivism. He shows that a person cannot be both, and his compromising morals lead to mediocrity. Gail shows his individualism through his private art collection, which consisted of pieces that “were chosen by standards of his own. He had famous masterpieces; he had canvases by unknown artists; he rejected the works of immortal names for which he did not care. ” His appreciation of art is selfish, for his eyes only…

Three parts to a quote citation -- better The extent of his dependence on others is proven when, as his success begins to slip away from him, he laments to Roark, “Howard, I’m a parasite. I’ve been a parasite all my life…I have fed on you and on all the men like you who lived before we were born…In the whole of my life, I haven’t added a new doorknob to what men have done before me” (601). He demonstrates a deep unhappiness, in contrast to Roark’s consistent confidence, and it is the result of his failure to act independently.