The Shawshank Redemption

The Literary Essay

A literary essay is one in which a piece or piece(s) of literature is analysed. 

INTRODUCTION: A paragraph in which you state your point of view, outlining what it is you will be saying in the 'meat' of the essay.  
The name and author of the piece of literature should always be written into the introduction.  
In this introductory paragraph you also say which aspects of the literature you will be discussing, for example plot, style, themes etc. 

BODY: This is made up of paragraphs.  In each of these paragraphs you discuss one aspect.  Remember to follow this pattern:

1.	State your point in a topic sentence. 
2.	Support this with a reason. 
3.	Give an example from the text you are dealing with.  It can be in your own words or it can be quotation. 

CONCLUSION:  This is the final paragraph in which you sum up your essay and re-state your original points.
Do not introduce any new ideas or opinions in the conclusion.  It is a finishing point, a summary.  The final sentence should assert your point of view firmly. 

© Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998)