I have to write an evaluative essay on the short story A Christmas Memory. In my opinion, it was a wonderful story which was fun to read. The character of Buddy and his cousin reveal much about human life and the complex world that we live in, by the struggles they face throughout the story.
I'm not exactly sure where to start...but I have to write 5 paragraphs so please help
Thanks
-MC
The ideas in here may help:
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/863801-But-how-do-I-review-a-short-story
And here are some examples:
http://www.helium.com/items/1540671-short-story-review-the-earth-men-by-ray-bradbury
Certainly! Writing an evaluative essay on the short story "A Christmas Memory" can be an exciting task. To help you get started, here are some steps to follow for structuring your essay into five paragraphs:
1. Introduction:
Begin your essay by introducing the short story and its author, Truman Capote. Provide a brief summary of the story, highlighting the main characters, Buddy and his cousin. Also, mention your overall opinion that the story was wonderful and enjoyable to read.
2. Thesis Statement:
Craft a strong thesis statement that clearly presents the main idea of your essay. In this case, focus on how the characters of Buddy and his cousin reveal insights into human life and the complexities of our world through the struggles they face. Make sure your statement is concise and provides a roadmap for your essay.
3. First Paragraph:
Start your first body paragraph by discussing the first struggle that Buddy and his cousin encounter in the story. Provide specific examples from the text that illustrate their struggle and examine how it contributes to the understanding of human life and the complex world. Connect the struggle to your thesis statement to maintain coherence.
4. Second Paragraph:
In the second body paragraph, analyze another struggle faced by the characters. Incorporate evidence from the story to support your analysis, explaining how this struggle further reveals insights about human life and the complexities of the world. It is important to emphasize the connection between the struggles and the main theme of your thesis.
5. Third Paragraph:
In the third body paragraph, explore a different aspect of Buddy and his cousin's struggles. This could include their emotional challenges or their relationship with others in the story. Again, use evidence from the text to support your points and relate them back to your thesis.
6. Fourth Paragraph:
In this paragraph, you can discuss how Buddy and his cousin's struggles contribute to the overall message or theme of the story. Consider discussing how their difficulties enhance the reader's understanding of the human experience and the complexities of the world we live in.
7. Conclusion:
Wrap up your essay by restating your thesis statement and summarizing the main points discussed in your body paragraphs. Conclude with a final thought or reflection on how the story resonated with you and the importance of understanding the struggles we face in life.
Remember, while writing each body paragraph, use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of the paragraph and provide evidence from the story to support your analysis. Make sure to explain the significance of the struggles in relation to human life and the complexities of the world.
Good luck with your essay!