1. Writer: I have something interesting and new to say about XXX
2. Reader: Really?! Tell me. What is it?
3. Writer: XXX (thesis statement)
4. Reader: Wow! How did you come up with that conclusion?
5. Writer: Well, here are two reasons that that led me to my thesis. (Write two paragraphs;
one paragraph for each reason. Use specific examples from the piece of literature.)
6. Reader: I'm not really convinced that your examples prove your thesis.
7. Writer: Ok. (third paragraph) I did some research and I found that XXX (critic’s name) believes
that XXX.
You can look it up yourself in XXX (name of book, pages, etc.)
8. Reader: Yes, but in chapter XXX the main character says/does XXX and that leads me to
believe that you are wrong. (The reader is trying to disprove your thesis.)
9. Writer: You are right. Mr. XYZ says/does exactly what you say in chapter XXX but, if you
recall, he later says/does XXX. From my perspective, this points to the fact that
XXX (repeat your thesis using diferentes words).
10. Reader: Hmmm… You’ve got a point.
11. Writer: That’s right, and this understanding adds to the value of XXX (book title) because
it highlights XXX (it's contribution to society at large).
12. Reader: Ok. You have convinced me. I think you make an important and new argument.
13. Writer: Great! Let me just summarize it for you again. (state your thesis again using
different words)
14. Reader: Thanks. Your essay has helped me understand XXX (book title or author’s name) better.
15. Writer: Since you like my idea so much, do you think you can help me get this essay published?
(Beacon Conference)
Art by Francisco Oller
