Instructions for the
LAST ESSAY OF THE SEMESTER AND THE FINAL DEPARTMENTAL EXAM
The last essay of the semester (#5) and the departmental exam will both be
interpretive/analytical papers (textual analyses) between 600-750 words. The essays must
demonstrate critical thinking and be written coherently, observing grammatical, mechanical,
and stylistic conventions.
Follow the instructions on the next page in order to complete this essay after reading a text
you’ll analyze. Memorize these instructions because the ones you get on the final will look a little
different. AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS HERE, YOU WILL PASS
THE EXAM!!
Follow all MLA Format Instructions (proper heading, double-spacing, etc.) Create a
TITLE for both papers; DO NOT MAKE YOUR TITLE THE TITLE OF THE TEXT YOU
ARE ANALYZING, even though you may include the text’s title if you wish. In that case, don’t
forget to put quotation marks around it. Ex: Textual Analysis of “Two Views of the
Mississippi.”
WRITE THE ENTIRE ESSAY IN THE PRESENT TENSE. Ex: The short piece “Two
Views of the Mississippi” is by the famous writer Mark Twain. In this text, Twain describes the
vast river from two distinct viewpoints.
ALSO: PLEASE GO THROUGH ALL RULES IN THE ENGLISH ESSAY ISSUES PACKET
AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING THEM IN THESE ESSAYS.
STRUCTURE OF THE ESSAY
I. PARAGRAPH ONE (INTRODUCTION): SUMMARY of the TEXT you are given to analyze.
a. Mention Author and Title of the essay in the first sentence. Put the title of the essay in
quotations marks to punctuate properly.
b. Write a Summary of the text including main points but no details.
(Four-five sentences is sufficient).
c. Write a Thesis Statement as the last sentence of the paragraph. In the Thesis Statement,
simply state the AUTHOR’S MAIN POINT OF THE ENTIRE TEXT.
II. PARAGRAPH TWO (BODY PARA. ONE): ANALYSIS of the TEXT
a. In the Topic Sentence, state TWO Methods of Organization you identify in
the reading selection that you will write about (comparison/contrast, cause and effect, definition,
etc.)
b. In the next two to four sentences, fully discuss the first Method of Org. mentioned in the
topic sentence by stating it, mentioning at least two main points/traits it contains and following
up with at least two examples from the text as support (some quoted material is acceptable, but
most should be in your own words).
c. Follow the same instructions as those for part b. above, this time with the second MOO.
d. Wrap up the whole paragraph with a concluding sentence restating the main points in this
paragraph.
III. PARAGRAPH THREE (BODY PARA. TWO): ANALYSIS of the TEXT
REPEAT ALL STEPS IN PARAGRAPH TWO, ONLY THIS TIME WRITE ABOUT
TWO PURPOSES (to express, analyze, inform, or persuade).
NOTE: YOU MAY BRIEFLY DIRECTLY QUOTE FROM THE TEXT IN BODY
PARAGRAPHS, BUT PUT MOST EXAMPLES AND ELABORATION IN YOUR OWN
WORDS.
IV. PARAGRAPH FOUR (CONCLUSION): EVALUATION of the TEXT
a. Answer the questions: Are the Methods of Organization effective in the text you have
analyzed? Why or why not?
b. Are the Purposes in this text successful? Why or why not?
c. Wrap up the entire paper by generally restating your Thesis statement in a concluding
sentence.
In the last paragraph, you may insert your own opinion, so you may use phrases like “I believe” or “I
think.”
