Essay #1: Facts & Inferences
The first formal essay will explore a text using inductive analysis, which moves from specific facts to a general claim. Over the next few weeks, we will think like a detectives and follow a trail of evidence through a story in order to uncover its intended message.
Readings
“The Things They Carried”
“How to Tell a True War Story”
“The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong”
Assignment
Select one of O’Briens stories above. In a well-crafted essay, answer the following driving question: How do the storys facts add up to reveal the authors intended message?
Be sure to complete the Facts to Inference exercise to identify key facts (i.e. quotes) and develop logical inferences about what they mean, how they mean & where they lead.
Once you have a clear understanding about which facts lead to the authors message, begin the drafting process. Essays should be a minimum of 3 pages and no more than 5. All drafts and final papers must follow MLA guidelines.
Be sure your first draft meets the following objectives of an academic essay:
The Introduction: (1 paragraph)
Open with a creative hook that reflects the tone and context of the story.
Properly introduce the author and story by full name and title.
In a succinct and interesting manner summarize the story, focusing on its most relevant details related to the plotconflict, crisis, resolution.
Imply your thesis, but dont state it directly until youve led readers through the facts (optional).
The Body (3-5 paragraphs)
Organize your relevant facts (i.e., textual evidence) into several paragraphs. Typically, an academic paragraph will cite 1-3 quotes. It’s important to determine the order in which youll discuss each fact as well as the relationship between them before you begin.
Open each body paragraph with an arguable topic sentence that obligates you to prove a point related to the authors message.
Support each topic with textual evidence., facts from the story and integrate all quotes using MLA guidelines.
Immediately following each quote analyze what and how it means using logical inferences. Then transition to the next quote (or paragraph) by stating where the evidence leads.
Create clear transitions to guide readers from one fact to the next.
The Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Articulate a specific and relevant thesis that works to answer the driving question: How do the storys facts add up to reveal the authors intended message?
In an inductive analysis, the thesis is the logical conclusion that follows from the facts; therefore, it is stated at the end of the paper, not the beginning.
Finally, move beyond stating the thesis by considering whether the authors message is relevant to readers, or not. In other words, use the conclusion to articulate your point of view regarding the overall value of the story.
Essays should be a minimum of 3 pages and no more than 5. All drafts and final papers must follow MLA guidelines.
Closing Advice
Be sure to read and reread the story and complete all of the prewriting exercises prior to outlining and drafting. Before you can organize an essay, you must have something to say.
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