Edgar Allan
Poe Unit
Essay Revision
Notes
Introduction: Grabber
Start out the essay with an attention
grabber that is NOT directly about the text
or the author.
Connect thematically for sure, but don’t
mention the author or the text in the
grabber.
TIP: Your attention grabber should definitely
be more than one sentence long.
ELABORATE. Compose a full, deep idea.
Introduction: Grabber
TIP: Make sure that the grabber does not
resemble your thesis in any way.
What are some strategies that you used for
your grabbers?
Thesis Clarity
Your thesis is the most important sentence in
your essay; therefore, it is imperative that
your thesis is crystal clear.
TIP: Keep the wording of your thesis simple,
even if it means using basic vocabulary.
TIP: If necessary, split the thesis into two (or
even three) sentences to help with clarity.
Thesis Clarity Example
THIS THESIS NEEDS REVISION:
Poe stylistically has elements that are often
in his stories being an ironic murder or
violent act or retribution by an unreliable
narrator; and that results in a spooky overall
tone which eerie, violent description
connects the other two ideas superbly.
Thesis Clarity Example
CLEAR THESIS EXAMPLE
Poe’s stories are iconic because of their
scary tone. In order to establish this tone,
he uses unreliable narrators, ironic plot
twists, and horrifically violent imagery.
TIP: It is better to be clear and formulaic
than unclear and “sophisticated.”
Body: Topic Sentences

Every single body paragraph must have a
topic sentence that clearly states the main
idea that will be covered in the paragraph.

Use transitions to smoothly move between
paragraphs.
Example: Montresor is not exactly the same as
the other two narrators. He does not appear
insane. His unreliability comes from the fact that
he overtly admits that he is a deceptive person.
This topic sentence shows a shift in subtopic
from insanity to deception in regards to narrator
unreliability.
Body: Focus
Each body paragraph should focus only on
supporting/proving ONE idea.
TIP: If you have a new idea, you should
start a new paragraph.
Having multiple main ideas or subtopics in
the same paragraph can be very confusing
for the reader. Separate ideas into bitesized chunks to enhance clarity.
Body: Focus & Quotes
Be sure that you choose quotes that are
connected to the main idea in the paragraph.
Many times, people used quotes that didn’t
connect to the main idea of the paragraph.
These quotes are distracting and off focus.
For instance, if the entire paragraph is about
how Montresor is unreliable because he is
deceptive, the quote(s) need to show his
deception.
Body: Focus and Quotes
TIP: Don’t use quotes to summarize the text.
If it is a “fact” in the text, you don’t need a
quote to prove it. You can just state it.
Body: Use of Quotes
Never “drop in” a quote without context.
You need to frame the quote before you
use it.
Here is how you use context:
Much of what Montresor says at the
beginning of “The Cask of Amontillado” is a
confession of his deceptive nature. Before
he even gets his enemy into the
catacombs, Montresor admits that “neither
by word nor deed had [he] given Fortunato
cause to doubt [his] good will” (Poe 3).
Body: Clinchers
One of the biggest errors made by students
in this essay was not including clinchers.
A clincher is the concluding sentence (or
sentences) of a main idea section.
A clincher re-states the main idea and ties
directly back to the thesis. It finishes, or
clinches, your argument.
Clincher Example
EXAMPLE: Insanity and duplicitousness are great
reasons to question the reliability of a narrator. It is
creepy enough that the narrators are murderous,
but that they could very well do the same thing to
the reader pushes the scariness over the top.
Main idea: “question the reliability of a narrator”
Tie to the thesis: “pushes the scariness over the top”
Body: Full Explanation
When you are writing an argument, you need to fully
explain how and why your support proves your
contention (main idea).

You should not expect the reader to take a leap of
faith.

You should not assume that the reader agrees with
you.

You should not assume the reader has the same
interpretation of a quote as you do.

You should not expect the reader to make the same
inferences that you have made.
This paragraph does not have enough
explanation. How come?
Montresor is unreliable. “Come…we will go
back. You are rich, respected, admired,
beloved; you are happy as I once was”
(Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado 5-6).
Obviously, Montresor cannot be trusted, but
Fortunato goes with him anyways deeper
into the tunnels. Once Fortunato gets to the
end, he is walled in. This is not a very
reliable person, and Poe uses people like
this all the time.
The “Obviously” Paradox
How is the word generally used?
Why do you think people use it, even
though it doesn’t really make sense to do
so?
Why shouldn’t you use it in an essay?
Body: When to Cut Ideas
 When
the idea is an afterthought that isn’t
elaborated upon
 When
the idea is repetitive
 When
the idea can’t be supported by the
text
 When
the idea isn’t really necessary (even
if it’s a fun fact or interesting idea on its
own)
Conclusion
Parts of the conclusion, in the order that they
should appear:
1.
2.
3.
Reworded thesis
Lightning-quick review of main ideas
Zinger (Should be more than one sentence)
Conclusion: Zinger
Like the attention grabber, the zinger should
not directly mention the text or the author.
This is the place to go back outside the text
and relate back to real life.
The best zingers make readers continue to
think about the essay after they have
finished reading. Good zingers force
readers to reflect on their own lives.
Conclusion: Zinger
TIP: The zinger should not resemble the
thesis in any way.
TIP: You can use the same strategies for
zingers that you use for grabbers. Many
students relate the zinger back to their
grabber.
Conclusions: Effort Needed
The conclusion is usually the last paragraph that
is written for the essay, so students often rush
through it in order to finish quicker.
Make time to write your conclusion correctly.
Don’t skimp on this important paragraph.
FACT: For this essay, the conclusion was the
paragraph that was most often incomplete or
undeveloped.
Proofreading: Citations
No: (Poe, Black Cat, 4)
No: (The Black Cat, Poe, pg. 4)
No: (On page 4, Black Cat by Poe)
YES: (Poe, “The Black Cat” 4)
Proofreading: The Problem with Spellcheck
When you use spellcheck, it only checks the spelling
of the word, not its usage.
EXAMPLES of correct spelling but incorrect usage
It is unclear to him weather or not the ticking of clock
is real or just imagined.
Fortunato does not know were Montresor is taking
him.
These errors must be checked by a human brain!
Limited Dictionary
Spellcheck may not know how to spell certain words
like the names of characters.
Whether you spell it correctly or not, spellcheck will
still mark it as incorrect.
Spellcheck cannot suggest a correct spelling. YOU
must do it yourself.
Montressor
Mountresor
Montresier
Montresor
Monstresor
Which one is correct?
Proofreading: Cardinal Sins

Textual inaccuracies (like mistaking character
names)





Especially when they are so severe that they show
that you haven’t read the story.
Misspelling of characters’ names
Misspelling of authors’ names or texts
Misspelling of your own name
Evidence that you didn’t even take the time to hit
the spellcheck button, aka laziness:
funghy, rilleated, kcept, dswrity, ncesary
What qualities does Mr. Geuder
consistently see in strong essays?

Generally, they can be read beginning to end
without difficulty. The writing is smooth and clear.

Ideas are explained step by step. There are no gaps.

The best quotes possible are used for support. More
quotes than the minimum are used if necessary.

They have engaging introductions and conclusions
that push the reader’s thinking.

They uncover some element of implied or hidden
meaning. They do not just restate plot or other
surface elements.