Summary English Literary Essay Writing Guideline/Tutorial

Literary Essay Writing Notes
By Khanyisa Motsepe (adapted from Mrs Schorr-Meyer’s notes from 2022)



Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is…
 The answer to the essay topic
 Your stance on the essay topic (your entire essay must revolve around your
stance)
 One clear, straightforward sentence
 Arguable
 Specific
 NOT a quote
 NOT retelling the story that you are writing on
A Thesis Statement is one sentence that you make clear in your introduction
paragraph. Each of your following body paragraphs must relate to your Thesis
Statement.



Topic Sentence
A topic sentence…

 Is a sentence in each of your body paragraphs
 Proves the Thesis Statement
 Is what the paragraph will be about
The topic sentence is the point that your body paragraph will be about, almost like a
mini thesis statement.



Introduction Paragraph
 Provides an outline of the essay and your stance on the topic
 Provides context and background information
 Does not go into detail
 Provide the name of the author and the name of the piece of literature you
are writing on
 Where the Thesis statement is provided (one sentence)
 Topic sentences are all provided here (one sentence for each paragraph)