...You already know it's true. We sometimes feel like this when we test, and we often have these moments when we write a timed essay.
Take my advice: Don't. Just follow what I said today.
1. Check your thesis statement to make sure you answer the question completely. If you need a reminder, here's the question: According to the literary devices used in "The Cask of Amontillado", how does Poe want the reader to perceive Montresor as a character? Here's your instant check:
a. Do you have words in your thesis that characterize Montresor (read: relevant adjectives and nouns)?
b. Did you actually mention the specific literary devices you will discuss in your essay? If no, refer to DIDLS to clarify.
c. Did you, um, mention the story title, Poe, and the reader in your thesis? Not all necessary, but think about how that might be a good idea.
2. If you have an introductory hook, and then BAM! a thesis statement appears, you might need "The Bridge." All "the Bridge" does is connect your introduction to your thesis with BROAD detail. Don't start quoting "Cask" just yet...save that for your body paragraphs. "The Bridge" gives the reader just a smidge of insight to why you would discuss the ideas of evil, inhumanity, sadism, etc. in an essay such as this.
3. Be smart - write a brief outline of your essay tonight, and refer to that revised thesis to make sure you have your bases covered. If you say you're going to discuss diction in the essay, by God, discuss some diction! If you say you're going to discuss figurative language in the thesis, and you focus on details for three body paragraphs, you have failed to prove your thesis...let's not do that. Let's make sure that we know what we're going to talk about come crunch time tomorrow.
The thesis statements I read in class today are about what I expected - lots of promise, and a few common widespread errors. It is something we will revisit over and over again over the course of the year, so don't fret yet. Also, I grade all timed writes as rough drafts, so worry about organizing your ideas. If your paper has an air of organization, your paper will be good to go.
Let's close "Cask" and get to a more modern story, with some creative writing on the side! Huzzah!
Tomorrow's Friday. We're almost there. And, you don't have homework this weekend. Bonus. (You love me...it's okay, send your adulation la
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