Essay Writing

I have found that students have difficulty finding symbols, motifs, and themes while they read. I will give them an essay usually five paragraphs it pick one of the above stated and focus on it. With The Great Gatsby, the three types of houses are an important symbol to the people who live in them and how they got and spend their money. The first essay my students had to write was a five paragraph essay. Paragraph one was an introduction paragraph stating what they would be discussing in their essay and giving their thesis statement. The next three paragraphs deal with the people and their houses. One paragraph on teh Buchanan's, one paragraph on Gatsby, and one paragraph on Nick. Then the finish with a conclusion paragraph summarizing their main points and restating their thesis statement. I have found that when I help them find one or two symbols, they are more eager and less apprehensive about talking and writing about symbols, motifs, and themes. The beauty of these three items is that they are so open to interpretation that students can connect with them in different ways.