Writing an…

Excellent paragraph

for an

Essay

Night Literary Analysis Essay

Prompt: Why is Elie Wiesel’s novel Night relevant today?

Relevant = closely connected

Night Thesis Statement

Remember that your essay thesis needs a limited subject, precise opinion, essay map and qualifier. You are NOT permitted to use BECAUSE in your essay thesis.

Think about your answer to the prompt. How did you answer the question in the Opening Activity?

Write 2 possible thesis statements for this essay.

Ex: The relevance of Elie Wiesel’s novel Night is apparent through its teachings of discrimination, tolerance and survival.

Student Thesis Samples

Although the Holocaust occurred about 50 years ago, the teachings and lessons are still valued today. There was discrimination, unfair treatment and injustice, which all lead to immorality.

Although some views are different, Night by Elie Wiesel is relevant to today’s society due to the moral values and significant life lessons that can be learned.

Expository Essay Outline

Let’s take a look at your assignment.

See if you can locate 2 grammatical errors!

Out with the old…

Say Mean Matter

In with the new!

Example Evidence Explanation

Example

List one reason (example) why Night is relevant today.

Practice:

Discrimination against a people’s religion is unjust and may lead to violent genocide.

Evidence

Now, we must prove this fact (reason/example)!

Elie Wiesel wrote with anguish that “on the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose. The Germans arrested the leaders of the Jewish community. From that moment, everything happened very quickly. The race toward death had begun” (8).

Explanation

You will now explain how the example and piece of evidence supports your thesis.

Because the Germans thought of themselves as superior to the Jews, their discrimination led to a violent war. Genocide broke out against the Jews, simply because their religious difference offended some people in power.

Opening Activity

Copy down the following notes:

Topic Sentence=A sentence that introduces what the paragraph is about.

Closing Sentence=A sentence that wraps up the main idea of the paragraph.

Example Evidence Explanation

Discrimination against a people’s religion is unjust and may lead to violent genocide.

Elie Wiesel wrote with anguish that “on the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose. The Germans arrested the leaders of the Jewish community. From that moment, everything happened very quickly. The race toward death had begun” (8).

Because the Germans thought of themselves as superior to the Jews, their discrimination led to a violent war. Genocide broke out against the Jews, simply because their religious difference offended some people in power.

Plug and Chug

Now you just PLUG IN!

The only extra work you have to do is write a topic sentence and a closing/transitional sentence.

An Excellent Paragraph

TOPIC SENTENCE. Discrimination against a people’s religion is unjust and may lead to violent genocide. Elie Wiesel wrote with anguish that “on the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose. The Germans arrested the leaders of the Jewish community. From that moment, everything happened very quickly. The race toward death had begun” (8). Because the Germans thought of themselves as superior to the Jews, their discrimination led to a violent war. Genocide broke out against the Jews, simply because their religious difference offended some people in power. CLOSING SENTENCE.

Quote Blending

Introduce your quote and identify your source

Some more phrases you can use to introduce your quotations:

In the words of Elie Wiesel, _________According to the novel Night, _______In Wiesel’s view, ________

District Writing Handbook

Don’t forget to use this handbook! It has helpful tips for writing strong

thesis statements, topic sentences, quote blends, closing sentences, introductions and conclusions!

Goals for Today

Complete the 3 main body paragraphs (including the topic and closing sentences)

Complete the Introduction and Conclusion paragraphs

Tomorrow we will be in the computer lab so that you can type your essay. Remember to bring your flashdrive so that you can save your essay and edit it on your computer at home (or you can email it to yourself).

Opening Activity

Extra credit and bring books to turn in on Thursday!

What was the most difficult part of writing the 3 body paragraphs? Explain why.

Was is the topic sentences, examples, evidence, explanations or closing sentences?

Credit

Monique Isamar Cayla Stephanie Steven Jennifer Brittney Melissa Ivette Brenda

Christian Claudia R. Heriberto Alfonso

Outline Exchange

Please exchange your essay with one person at your table.

Allow him or her to read your main body paragraphs.

Ask him or her what they think of your writing?

Did anyone read a great paragraph? Let’s hear a few!

Let’s finish up our first draft!

Introduction

Hook=A few lines catching the reader’s attention. Quote, Dialogue, Anecdote (Short Story or reference to

a story), Vivid Description

Description of Topic=Re-word the prompt. What are you writing about?

Thesis Statement=The answer to your essay question. The glue that holds your essay together.

Conclusion

Restatement of Thesis=Put your thesis in new words.

Own opinions and ideas!

Closing Thought=Make one final claim regarding the Holocaust and the book’s relevance. Make it powerful and meaningful!

Essay Schedule

Tuesday: Work on first draft of the Night essay.

Wednesday: Type the first draft in the computer lab.

Thursday: First typed draft due + Test Review

Friday: Night Test