A step-by-step guide for writing the literary essay.

1. Writing the
Literary Essay
Writing the
Literary Essay
1
A Micro lesson by Ms. BestA Micro lesson by Ms. Best

2. Learning GoalsLearning Goals
➢ By the end of this presentation, students will understand
 The parts of the literary essay
 How to write the essay
 How to include quotations in the essay
 How to format and edit the essay
➢ By the end of this presentation, students will understand
 The parts of the literary essay
 How to write the essay
 How to include quotations in the essay
 How to format and edit the essay
2

3. “Start writing, no
matter what. The
water does not flow
until the faucet is
turned on.”
― Louis L'Amour
“Start writing, no
matter what. The
water does not flow
until the faucet is
turned on.”
― Louis L'Amour
3

4. What is the “Literary Essay”What is the “Literary Essay”
➢ A literary essay is an examination of an idea or theme in
one or more fictional writings (novel, play, short story,
poetry )
➢ In the literary essay, the writer is exploring the meaning,
construction or components of a piece of literature
➢ The writer of the essay is seeking to convince the reader
of one point of view or one idea using evidence from the
text and from their own thoughts
➢ A literary essay is an examination of an idea or theme in
one or more fictional writings (novel, play, short story,
poetry )
➢ In the literary essay, the writer is exploring the meaning,
construction or components of a piece of literature
➢ The writer of the essay is seeking to convince the reader
of one point of view or one idea using evidence from the
text and from their own thoughts
4

5. Parts of the literary essayParts of the literary essay
➢ The literary essay can be broken down into specific
parts. Each part must connect to the whole essay while
standing on its own
➢ The literary essay can be broken down into specific
parts. Each part must connect to the whole essay while
standing on its own
5
Writing Editing & Formatting
• Introduction
• Thesis statement
• Title page
• Body paragraphs – P.Q.E.
• Transition
• Quotations
• Works Cited
• Conclusion

6. IntroductionIntroduction
6

7. IntroductionIntroduction
➢ First, begin with a Quote, definition, or quotation from the
novel. Choose one:
 i) Quoting a famous, well-known figure whose work is in the public
domain such as Mark Twain, Plato, Abraham Lincoln, Margaret Atwood,
MLK, etc. to begin your essay creates reader interest and engagement.
 ii) Using a key definition or controversial statement can also elicit reader
response.
 Iii) Use a significant quote from the literary work being discussed
➢ Next, write a brief discussion about the topic. This may
include a short summary of the work
➢ Finally, introduce the reader to the thesis of the essay
➢ First, begin with a Quote, definition, or quotation from the
novel. Choose one:
 i) Quoting a famous, well-known figure whose work is in the public
domain such as Mark Twain, Plato, Abraham Lincoln, Margaret Atwood,
MLK, etc. to begin your essay creates reader interest and engagement.
 ii) Using a key definition or controversial statement can also elicit reader
response.
 Iii) Use a significant quote from the literary work being discussed
➢ Next, write a brief discussion about the topic. This may
include a short summary of the work
➢ Finally, introduce the reader to the thesis of the essay
7

8. Sample IntroductionSample Introduction
➢ “Vocabulary enables us to interpret and to express. If you have a limited vocabulary, you
will also have a limited vision and a limited future” (Jim Rohn). Five hundred years ago,
between five and seven million people spoke the English language, almost all of them
living in the British Isles. Now, anywhere up to 1.8 billion people around the world speak
English. The growth of English has been driven by the formation of the language
through adoption of new words and understanding. It is also driven by political, social,
and economic factors. In the quest for wealth, knowledge, and land expansion, English
was taken around the world by the sailors, soldiers, pilgrims, traders and missionaries of
the British Empire. It is not a language that can be forgotten, and many would say it is
what keeps our society and world going. If someone where to be forced to live in a
society where the ability to speak the English language and use the rich vocabulary was
gradually forbidden, that person would quickly realize that communicating would
become an increasing impossibility. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dune explores this idea of
language elimination through societal censorship. By examining the dwindling length of
the letters written, the process of eliminating letters in the alphabet, and the use of
sound-alikes at the end of the novel, it is possible to determine that Ella Minnow Pea
succeeded in conveying that the increasing poverty of Nollopian speech led to the
inevitable loss of communication and the ultimate enslavement of the people.
➢ “Vocabulary enables us to interpret and to express. If you have a limited vocabulary, you
will also have a limited vision and a limited future” (Jim Rohn). Five hundred years ago,
between five and seven million people spoke the English language, almost all of them
living in the British Isles. Now, anywhere up to 1.8 billion people around the world speak
English. The growth of English has been driven by the formation of the language
through adoption of new words and understanding. It is also driven by political, social,
and economic factors. In the quest for wealth, knowledge, and land expansion, English
was taken around the world by the sailors, soldiers, pilgrims, traders and missionaries of
the British Empire. It is not a language that can be forgotten, and many would say it is
what keeps our society and world going. If someone where to be forced to live in a
society where the ability to speak the English language and use the rich vocabulary was
gradually forbidden, that person would quickly realize that communicating would
become an increasing impossibility. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dune explores this idea of
language elimination through societal censorship. By examining the dwindling length of
the letters written, the process of eliminating letters in the alphabet, and the use of
sound-alikes at the end of the novel, it is possible to determine that Ella Minnow Pea
succeeded in conveying that the increasing poverty of Nollopian speech led to the
inevitable loss of communication and the ultimate enslavement of the people.
8

9. Thesis
statement
Thesis
statement
9

10. Thesis statementThesis statement
➢ A thesis statement is one or two sentences which
clarifies the main argument (issue) of the essay
➢ The thesis statement is usually found at the end of the
first (introductory) paragraph and summarizes the main
point of the writer
➢ The main function of a thesis statement is to introduce
the reader to the issue (proposal/argument) of the essay
(What will be proven)
➢ A thesis statement is one or two sentences which
clarifies the main argument (issue) of the essay
➢ The thesis statement is usually found at the end of the
first (introductory) paragraph and summarizes the main
point of the writer
➢ The main function of a thesis statement is to introduce
the reader to the issue (proposal/argument) of the essay
(What will be proven)
10

11. Thesis statement formulaThesis statement formula
➢ The thesis is comprised of two main elements:
 The issue – What you are going to prove
 The points – How you are going to prove it – evidence. Points
create the paragraphs of the essay
➢ Using a thesis formula will help writers create a workable
thesis statement.
➢ There are two ways to use the thesis statement formula:
 3 points stated first
 Issue stated first
➢ The thesis is comprised of two main elements:
 The issue – What you are going to prove
 The points – How you are going to prove it – evidence. Points
create the paragraphs of the essay
➢ Using a thesis formula will help writers create a workable
thesis statement.
➢ There are two ways to use the thesis statement formula:
 3 points stated first
 Issue stated first
11

12. 3 points stated first, issue stated
last
12
By examining ❶ ______________________, ❷ _________________________,
and ❸ ________________________________ it is possible to determine that
________________________________________________________________
By examining the dwindling length of the words used, the process of
eliminating letters in the alphabet, and the use of sound-alikes at the
end of the novel, it is possible to determine that Ella Minnow Pea
succeeded in conveying that the increasing poverty of Nollopian
speech led to the inevitable loss of communication and the ultimate
enslavement of the people.

13. Issue stated first, 3 points last…
13
__________________________________________________________________ is
significant/important/essential because/ is revealed/presented through
examination of ❶ _______________________, ❷ _______________________,
and ❸ _____________________________.
In Ella Minnow Pea, it is possible to understand that the increasing
poverty of Nollopian speech led to the loss of communication and the
enslavement of the people. This is revealed through the dwindling length
of the words used, the process of eliminating letters in the alphabet, and
the use of sound-alikes at the end of the novel.

14. IMPORTANT !!!!IMPORTANT !!!!
➢If the main argument (issue) of the
essay is unclear, then the thesis
statement is badly written, and the
essay cannot effectively prove its
main point.
➢ Think of the thesis statement as a road map designed to
get your reader from the starting destination to the end
of the journey.
➢If the main argument (issue) of the
essay is unclear, then the thesis
statement is badly written, and the
essay cannot effectively prove its
main point.
➢ Think of the thesis statement as a road map designed to
get your reader from the starting destination to the end
of the journey.
14

15. Body
Paragraphs
Body
Paragraphs
15

16. Body paragraphs – P.Q.E.Body paragraphs – P.Q.E.
➢ Minimum of 2; there is no maximum although 3 body
paragraphs are standard in secondary school
➢ Each body paragraph follows the P.Q.E formula:
 P.Q.E. stands for Point. Quote. Explanation.
Make a point
Support it with a quote
Explain how that quote proves your point
➢ Minimum of 2; there is no maximum although 3 body
paragraphs are standard in secondary school
➢ Each body paragraph follows the P.Q.E formula:
 P.Q.E. stands for Point. Quote. Explanation.
Make a point
Support it with a quote
Explain how that quote proves your point
16

17. Sample Body Paragraph #1Sample Body Paragraph #1
To begin, the dwindling length of the words used in Ella Minnow Pea begins when a letter falls from the main
statement in the public square. This leads to the government proclamation that this letter is now forbidden
and if used, will lead to a severe punishment. “Today The Tribune published the names of fifty-eight of the
sixty men, women, and children charged this week with first offense. (Two names were unpublishable due to
the presence of a particular letter within.) All were speakers of banned words—words overheard upon the
lanes, in schoolyards and church pews, and on the common greens. Neighbor turning in neighbor, perpetuating
old grudges and grievances with this new weapon unleashed upon us by the High Island Council. The paper
reported thirteen additional names of those charged with second offense” (27). As the story progresses, more
letters are lost, and thus fewer words can be formed. Having a limited vocabulary results in the characters
finding it difficult to write their thoughts and even to speak their thoughts because the letter is also forbidden
in spoken language. The ability to express thoughts and opinions in an open way is a fundamental right of
human beings. When this right is restricted, thought and expression are also hampered. The Council of Nollop
banned letters from the English vocabulary as letters kept falling off Nevin Nollop’s cenotaph. The Council
believed that Mr. Nollop was reaching out to them from beyond his grave signaling that any letter that had
already fallen and would off that sign should be banned from the English vocabulary of the Nollopians. As a
result, the Council acted: they made laws prohibiting the written and oral use of certain letters and strict
punishments were given to whoever broke those rules. At the beginning of the novel, the length of the letters
and speeches were around two to three pages and as the story goes on, and more letters of the alphabet are
becoming illegal, the length of letters get shortened to around 1 page or even half a page. That also goes to
show how it became harder for the author to write lengthy letters throughout the entire story without the
freedom of using any word he would wishes.
To begin, the dwindling length of the words used in Ella Minnow Pea begins when a letter falls from the main
statement in the public square. This leads to the government proclamation that this letter is now forbidden
and if used, will lead to a severe punishment. “Today The Tribune published the names of fifty-eight of the
sixty men, women, and children charged this week with first offense. (Two names were unpublishable due to
the presence of a particular letter within.) All were speakers of banned words—words overheard upon the
lanes, in schoolyards and church pews, and on the common greens. Neighbor turning in neighbor, perpetuating
old grudges and grievances with this new weapon unleashed upon us by the High Island Council. The paper
reported thirteen additional names of those charged with second offense” (27). As the story progresses, more
letters are lost, and thus fewer words can be formed. Having a limited vocabulary results in the characters
finding it difficult to write their thoughts and even to speak their thoughts because the letter is also forbidden
in spoken language. The ability to express thoughts and opinions in an open way is a fundamental right of
human beings. When this right is restricted, thought and expression are also hampered. The Council of Nollop
banned letters from the English vocabulary as letters kept falling off Nevin Nollop’s cenotaph. The Council
believed that Mr. Nollop was reaching out to them from beyond his grave signaling that any letter that had
already fallen and would off that sign should be banned from the English vocabulary of the Nollopians. As a
result, the Council acted: they made laws prohibiting the written and oral use of certain letters and strict
punishments were given to whoever broke those rules. At the beginning of the novel, the length of the letters
and speeches were around two to three pages and as the story goes on, and more letters of the alphabet are
becoming illegal, the length of letters get shortened to around 1 page or even half a page. That also goes to
show how it became harder for the author to write lengthy letters throughout the entire story without the
freedom of using any word he would wishes.
17

18. Sample Body Paragraph #2Sample Body Paragraph #2
Furthermore, the process of eliminating letters in the alphabet limited Nollopians’ vocabulary and eventually
led to unintelligible communication. Mark Dunn, the author had to be strategic with letter elimination in order
to progress the story. For example, he removed superfluous letters like “Z” and “Q” first, which still made it
possible for civilians on the island to write letters and have proper conversations. Ella writes in a letter to her
cousin, “I have, in scanning the text of my epistle to you thus far, discovered only three merest of uses: in the
words ‘gaze,’ ‘immortalized,’ and ‘snooze.’ Would you have lost my meaning should I have chosen to make the
substitutions, ‘looked,’ ‘posteritified,’ and ‘sleep’? What, my dearest Tassie, have we then lost? Very little” (15).
This quote emphasizes how the first letter to have been banned was not one that was used very commonly,
therefore it did not have a major impact on the vocabulary of Nollopians. As the story went on the author
begun to remove letters that were not as common but made a larger impact on the use of them for building
vocabulary. “Many of you have visited the Council office over the last several days, voicing concern over how
best to express in the absence of the letter “D” —which leaves us at midnight tonight —each of the seven days
of the week. This is a valid concern, but not one that should in any way threaten daily discourse” (72). For
instance, the days of the week all end with the letter “d” which has now been forbidden so, the Council had to
develop substitutions for each day of the week: Sunshine will now substitute for Sunday and Monty will
substitute Monday. Towards the end of novel, the letter lost was significant enough to create unintelligible and
unusable vocabulary, rendering the townspeople illiterate. ‘U’ is gone. I suppose you’re aware. The 1st aeiouy
to go. Up until now the other graphemes were not aeiouys. When the aeiouys start to go, Ella, writing to you
turns exponentially more grueling” (142). Once the use of the letter “U” was forbidden, the real challenge of
being able to communicate orally and through writing had begun. This experience provided significant evidence
of the importance of the letters used in the language to form thought, speech, and connections.
Furthermore, the process of eliminating letters in the alphabet limited Nollopians’ vocabulary and eventually
led to unintelligible communication. Mark Dunn, the author had to be strategic with letter elimination in order
to progress the story. For example, he removed superfluous letters like “Z” and “Q” first, which still made it
possible for civilians on the island to write letters and have proper conversations. Ella writes in a letter to her
cousin, “I have, in scanning the text of my epistle to you thus far, discovered only three merest of uses: in the
words ‘gaze,’ ‘immortalized,’ and ‘snooze.’ Would you have lost my meaning should I have chosen to make the
substitutions, ‘looked,’ ‘posteritified,’ and ‘sleep’? What, my dearest Tassie, have we then lost? Very little” (15).
This quote emphasizes how the first letter to have been banned was not one that was used very commonly,
therefore it did not have a major impact on the vocabulary of Nollopians. As the story went on the author
begun to remove letters that were not as common but made a larger impact on the use of them for building
vocabulary. “Many of you have visited the Council office over the last several days, voicing concern over how
best to express in the absence of the letter “D” —which leaves us at midnight tonight —each of the seven days
of the week. This is a valid concern, but not one that should in any way threaten daily discourse” (72). For
instance, the days of the week all end with the letter “d” which has now been forbidden so, the Council had to
develop substitutions for each day of the week: Sunshine will now substitute for Sunday and Monty will
substitute Monday. Towards the end of novel, the letter lost was significant enough to create unintelligible and
unusable vocabulary, rendering the townspeople illiterate. ‘U’ is gone. I suppose you’re aware. The 1st aeiouy
to go. Up until now the other graphemes were not aeiouys. When the aeiouys start to go, Ella, writing to you
turns exponentially more grueling” (142). Once the use of the letter “U” was forbidden, the real challenge of
being able to communicate orally and through writing had begun. This experience provided significant evidence
of the importance of the letters used in the language to form thought, speech, and connections. 18

19. Sample Body Paragraph #3Sample Body Paragraph #3
➢ This paragraph would discuss the 3rd point in the thesis:
use of sound-alikes at the end of the novel using the
P.Q.E. method as demonstrated in the previous sample
paragraphs
➢ This paragraph would discuss the 3rd point in the thesis:
use of sound-alikes at the end of the novel using the
P.Q.E. method as demonstrated in the previous sample
paragraphs
19

20. ConclusionConclusion
20

21. ConclusionConclusion
➢ Sum up main ideas by restating the issue and points in a
new way
➢ Closes with a thought-provoking idea
➢ Never introduces any new material
➢ Issue:
 Ella Minnow Pea succeeded in conveying that the increasing
poverty of Nollopian speech led to the inevitable loss of
communication and the ultimate enslavement of the people.
➢ Sum up main ideas by restating the issue and points in a
new way
➢ Closes with a thought-provoking idea
➢ Never introduces any new material
➢ Issue:
 Ella Minnow Pea succeeded in conveying that the increasing
poverty of Nollopian speech led to the inevitable loss of
communication and the ultimate enslavement of the people.
21

22. Sample ConclusionSample Conclusion
After reading Ella Minnow Pea, the reader can conclude that Mark Dunn succeeded in
conveying that the increasing poverty of Nollopian speech led to the inevitable loss of
communication and the ultimate enslavement of the people. He did this convincingly by
gradually shortening the length of the letters written, strategically using the process of
elimination, and the use of sound-alikes towards the end of the novel. Writing a book
and keeping the storyline going with access to limited words and letters can be quite a
challenge and is not something all writers can achieve. Using different strategies, Mark
Dunn became successful in that matter and portrayed a well-written novel also proving
how one does not need all the letters of vocabulary to be able to write, speak, and
connect; however, restricting the use of many letters is one way to censor and control
the masses.
After reading Ella Minnow Pea, the reader can conclude that Mark Dunn succeeded in
conveying that the increasing poverty of Nollopian speech led to the inevitable loss of
communication and the ultimate enslavement of the people. He did this convincingly by
gradually shortening the length of the letters written, strategically using the process of
elimination, and the use of sound-alikes towards the end of the novel. Writing a book
and keeping the storyline going with access to limited words and letters can be quite a
challenge and is not something all writers can achieve. Using different strategies, Mark
Dunn became successful in that matter and portrayed a well-written novel also proving
how one does not need all the letters of vocabulary to be able to write, speak, and
connect; however, restricting the use of many letters is one way to censor and control
the masses.
22

23. In-text
Quotations
In-text
Quotations
23

24. How to use in-text quotations
https://youtu.be/R5igNRmKLug
How to use in-text quotations
https://youtu.be/R5igNRmKLug
24

25. Transitional
words and
phrases
Transitional
words and
phrases
25

26. Transitional words and phrasesTransitional words and phrases
➢ Transitional words and phrases are used to tie the parts of the
essay together
 Single word transitions: First, Second, third
 Transitional phrases: In addition to, Consequently, Finally, etc.
 Higher level transition: Use the final thought of the previous paragraph
to link to the new thought of the upcoming paragraph using transitional
phrases
In addition to the dwindling length of words used, the author also
employed the process of eliminating letters from the alphabet.
➢ (The previous paragraph discussed the dwindling length of
words used and new paragraph will discuss the process of
eliminating letters from the alphabet)
➢ Transitional words and phrases are used to tie the parts of the
essay together
 Single word transitions: First, Second, third
 Transitional phrases: In addition to, Consequently, Finally, etc.
 Higher level transition: Use the final thought of the previous paragraph
to link to the new thought of the upcoming paragraph using transitional
phrases
In addition to the dwindling length of words used, the author also
employed the process of eliminating letters from the alphabet.
➢ (The previous paragraph discussed the dwindling length of
words used and new paragraph will discuss the process of
eliminating letters from the alphabet)
26

27. Some transitional wordsSome transitional words
➢ It is common to use a comma (,) after a transitional word of phrase➢ It is common to use a comma (,) after a transitional word of phrase
27

28. Formatting &
Editing
Formatting &
Editing
28

29. ChecklistChecklist
29

30. Look forsLook fors
➢ Your completed essay should be approximately 1500 - 2000
words.
➢ Do not use personal pronouns - I, We, Me, You, Us
 1st or 2nd person point of view should be avoided unless it is said
within a direct quotation)
➢ Do not use contractions - don’t should be do not
➢ Write in present tense - Use ‘says’ instead of ‘said’
➢ Include 1 – 2 quotations from the novel per body paragraph
➢ Quotations should sample the full novel – beginning, middle,
end
➢ Pay attention to MLA format
➢ Your completed essay should be approximately 1500 - 2000
words.
➢ Do not use personal pronouns - I, We, Me, You, Us
 1st or 2nd person point of view should be avoided unless it is said
within a direct quotation)
➢ Do not use contractions - don’t should be do not
➢ Write in present tense - Use ‘says’ instead of ‘said’
➢ Include 1 – 2 quotations from the novel per body paragraph
➢ Quotations should sample the full novel – beginning, middle,
end
➢ Pay attention to MLA format
30

31. Title pageTitle page
If required by your instructor, a formal literary
essay should include a cover page. The Cover
page indicates:
 The title of the essay
 The name of the writer
 The name of the teacher
 The date of submission
 The title must tell the reader what the
essay will be about. The title could be a
shortened version of the issue of the
thesis statement.
 Never use the novel’s name as the title
of the essay.
 Always provide the full name of the work
and the author in the title of the essay
If required by your instructor, a formal literary
essay should include a cover page. The Cover
page indicates:
 The title of the essay
 The name of the writer
 The name of the teacher
 The date of submission
 The title must tell the reader what the
essay will be about. The title could be a
shortened version of the issue of the
thesis statement.
 Never use the novel’s name as the title
of the essay.
 Always provide the full name of the work
and the author in the title of the essay
31

32. Works Cited or References pageWorks Cited or References page
➢ In the literary essay, there is
usually only one source –
the novel. The Works Cited
will have one entry
➢ If there are additional
sources, they must be
included on the Works Cited
page as well
➢ In the literary essay, there is
usually only one source –
the novel. The Works Cited
will have one entry
➢ If there are additional
sources, they must be
included on the Works Cited
page as well
32

33. Good luck
writing your
essay! Thank
you for
participating!
Good luck
writing your
essay! Thank
you for
participating!
33