WEEK 8 – WRITING
Intro to Literature
THESIS STATEMENT

The most important sentence in your essay!

Lets the reader know the main idea of the essay.

Answers the question, “what am I trying to prove?”
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Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be
proven throughout the essay.
WHICH IS A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT?
1.
The Hobbit is about Bilbo Baggins.
2.
Bilbo Baggins is a really cool character.
3.
Bilbo Baggins goes through many changes in The
Hobbit.
4.
Throughout The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins encounters
specific challenges that appear far too great for
him to handle, but by facing them he grows in
confidence, skill, and courage.
SECURITY!
A good thesis is a
security guard
 It keeps you from
bringing unrelated
points into your essay.

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Does Bilbo’s poetrywriting closely relate to
confidence, skill, or
courage?
ORGANIZATION
Title
 Introduction

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Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
Constructing Topic
Sentences
 Building Main Points

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Conclusion
OUTLINE
I. Introduction: thesis statement
II. First body paragraph: topic sentence
 Example *
 Example
III. Second body paragraph: topic sentence
 Examples
IV. Third body paragraph: topic sentence
 Examples
V. Conclusion: restate your thesis based on what you
said in your body paragraphs
*you may list as many sub-points/examples as you need
SUBJECT MATTER

Theme (how the author deals with the theme
throughout the novel's characters and events, how
two themes relate to each other or contrast each
other, etc.)
 Character (How do the characters grow and
change, how do they relate to the theme, how do
multiple characters relate to/contrast each other?)
 Plot (Be careful not to just tell what happens in the
book, like a book report, but you may discuss how
the Author structures the plot, captures the reader's
interest, uses events to grow the characters, etc.)
 Setting (Discuss how the author creates setting and
uses it to affect the characters and reader.)
TOPIC IDEAS
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What is the role of wealth in The Hobbit? Discuss various characters’ attitude toward material things.
Whose viewpoint does the novel seem to agree with?
Describe Tolkien’s use of humor in The Hobbit. What techniques does he use to make the book funny?
How does Tolkien’s lighthearted tone impact the portrayal of the more serious elements of the plot?
How does Bilbo's moral code emerge over the course of The Hobbit? Which key episodes in the novel
give us insight into Bilbo's particular definition of right and wrong?
What are some of the moral problems that Tolkien identifies with the dwarves, their quest, and their
treatment of Bilbo? Do the dwarves(especially Thorin) overcome these moral challenges?
Which of the characters in The Hobbit appear to be homeless? How does their loss of home change or
harm them? In what ways is the dwarves' quest for treasure also a quest for home?
Why might the idea of home be important in a novel about adventure? How do the different homes in
the novel contrast with the book's more action-packed passages?
Which moments in The Hobbit seem to require the most courage from Bilbo Baggins? How does Bilbo
prove his courage to other characters such as the dwarves or Bard? Are there virtues that Bilbo has that
are more important than courage? How does Bilbo show these traits?
Who's the bravest character in this novel? Why? What does this person's bravery tell you about his
overall character?
What traits do the characters that are vulnerable to dragon-sickness share? What are the symptoms of
dragon-sickness? Is there anything you can do to avoid it?
What does the novel say about "adventure"? How does Bilbo, specifically relate to adventure--what is
his attitude and how does it change, and why?
How are the different races in The Hobbit different or alike? What is their attitude towards each other?
How does Tolkien use the traditional "Quest" idea in the Hobbit? What are examples of the "descent into
darkness" theme and how does Bilbo conquers darkness each time?
What is Gandalf's role in the story? Why does he have so much faith in Bilbo? How does he contrast to
other "leader" figures, like Thorin or the Elfking?