Directions: Write a five-paragraph essay about one of the short stories: A Pair

Directions: Write a five-paragraph essay about one of the short stories: A Pair of Tickets by Amy Tan
In this essay, you will evaluate three aspects:
1. plot OR character development;
2. setting;
3. and the cultural context of the story.
You are analyzing the essay, not summarizing it, so organize the paper by supporting points rather than by following the plot.
Introduction: Brief discussion of the work, including author and title.
• Thesis statement (at end of introduction): mentions a central insight of the work, not a factual or trivial statement – but one which applies to the aspects of the reading your essay will discuss.

Body: Write three paragraphs with topic sentences which indicate the points you plan to discuss. Remember to make your point (say it), illustrate it with textual evidence (show it), and finally explain it.  Each body paragraph must discuss the following:
• How the plot or character development supports the story’s theme.
• Why the setting is central to understanding the story’s ideas?
• Why is the cultural context of the story important?  Respond to the social, political, or historical context of the story and note why that is relevant to the story.

Your body paragraphs must:
• Support your assertions with references to specifics within the text.
• Properly integrate quoted material from the text (no dropped quotes).
• Use proper MLA style documentation.
• Be written using college-level writing skills.

Conclusion: Write three or four sentences summarizing or discussing the larger implications of your essay.
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A few reminders…..
• Do not summarize the story – analyze the text.
• Each body paragraph needs to be 12-15 college-level sentences; however, more important than word count is development.  You must fully develop all your examples and ideas.
• You must also use MLA format, which includes a correctly formatted Works Cited page.
Outline

Thesis: ______________________________________________________________________
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Topic Sentence 1: _____________________________________________________________
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Topic Sentence 2: _____________________________________________________________
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Topic Sentence 3: _____________________________________________________________
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Conclusion