Am. Lit.

Honors 5-paragraph essay: Organize and Pre-write

Introductory paragraph develops from the general to the specific; must
include Author and title
Opening sentence that is a hook; use a quote, a questions, a general and
interesting statement that draws the reader into the topic
Transition sentences which may include the titles/author
The thesis statement which states what your paper will include
Three paragraphs that make up the body: each paragraph will address and
support one aspect or topic of the thesis.
Conclusion develops from the specific (re-state your thesis) to the general
(a take-away, state a theme of the book and leave the reader with something to
think aboutuse a brief quote)
Honors students: You must find at least 2 excellent BRIEF quotes to include in the
body. Cite them correctly. Include the bibliography at the end of the paper
All details must logically support the topic of the paragraph
Sentences must flow logically; apply your vocabulary and sentence-writing skills
you have practiced in WV!!!
Note: You need transition from one paragraph to the next.....that can also be the
same sentence as the topic sentence
Use of chronologic is very important.
Who are the victims? The soldiers (Italian, Austrian), Henry and Catherine, The women
and children. Thesis: This story is about who lost the least.
1. Main topic of the 1st body paragraph; topic sentence: Henry and Catherine

Detail 1 They could not get married due to the war

Detail 2 They had to be apart for a long time even though they had a baby

Detail 3 As soldiers retreat, soldiers nerves, minds, and capacity for rational
thought and moral judgement crumples. Henrys shooting an engineer shows his
violent outburst which is different from his characteristics.

2. Main topic of the 2nd body paragraph; topic sentence: The soldiers : There are no
winners in wars; only losers. Both sides in any conflict suffer losses. The question is not
who won the most but who lost the least.

Detail 1 The soldiers kept dying: Ambulance, Hospital > Rinaldi

Detail 2 The soldiers were actually farmers and normal people who did not
volunteer.

Detail 3 The war seemed too long, too horrible, and too boring? for the soldiers

3. Main point of the 3rd body paragraph; topic sentence : The women and the children

Detail 1 As the womens husbands are at war, there are no male to take care of
them(children and women)

Detail 2 When one country retreats, the remaining women become whores for the
opponent soldiers

Detail 3 The jobs that only male can easily do are going to vanish and women has
to take care of the whole house and business

Concluding paragraph develops from the specific to the general; restates your thesis in
a general way....not specific; closing sentence should leave the reader with something to
think about. An appropriate quote is effective in a conclusion.
Is trying to win and gain more land that important? Do we really need a war? Are
there any ways to live peacefully?
? ? . .
.
= HOOK
Pick a quote.
There are no winners in wars; only losers. Both sides in any conflict suffer losses. The
question is not who won the most but who lost the least.
quote