Assingments % - A Bird in the House

In A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence, you will need to be an ACTIVE reader. By that I mean while I hope you enjoy the stories, you should be considering several literary components as you are studying each story.

For stories 1-4 consider the following questions (there is no discussion post but keep these in mind as you read):

What are the meanings of the titles? Are they valid? What did you think before you read the story and how do they fit the story when you finish?
What is Vanessa\’s relationship with her grandfather?
Vanessa is telling these stories/memories of her childhood in retrospect. Why do you think this is important to her?

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Writing an essay can be overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure where to begin. Don’t worry! This step-by-step guide will help you break down your assignment into manageable parts. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure that your essay is focused, clear, and insightful.

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

The first thing you need to do is make sure you clearly understand the assignment. In this case, you are writing about A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence and focusing on four of the stories. The essay asks you to consider several key elements:

The meaning of the titles of the stories.
Vanessa’s relationship with her grandfather.
Why Vanessa tells her childhood stories in retrospect.

Your essay should be around 1000 to 1200 words. Make sure you use Times New Roman font and double space your paper.

Step 2: Create a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the main argument or point you will be making in your essay. This should be a clear response to the questions in the prompt. For example:

Example thesis: “In Margaret Laurence’s A Bird in the House, the titles of the stories symbolize the characters’ inner lives and conflicts, Vanessa’s relationship with her grandfather reflects themes of love and distance, and her retrospective storytelling is essential to understanding her emotional growth and identity.”

Your thesis should act as the roadmap for your essay. Every point in the body of your essay should support or elaborate on this statement.

Step 3: Create an Outline

Before you start writing, it’s helpful to organize your thoughts. Make a simple outline with the following sections:

Introduction: Briefly introduce the novel and the three key areas you’ll be analyzing. End with your thesis statement.
Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the meanings of the titles. Include your thoughts before reading the story and how they relate to the themes once you’ve finished reading.
Body Paragraph 2: Analyze Vanessa’s relationship with her grandfather. Use specific examples from the text to explain how their relationship evolves.
Body Paragraph 3: Explain why Vanessa tells her childhood stories in retrospect and why this is important to her. How does this retrospective perspective affect the reader’s understanding of her character?
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new way. Reflect on how these elements contribute to a deeper understanding of the novel.

Step 4: Start Writing the Introduction

Your introduction should:

Start with a hook or engaging sentence to draw the reader in (e.g., a thought-provoking quote from the book or a brief insight into the themes of the novel).
Briefly summarize the main elements of the story (the first four stories in A Bird in the House) and how they connect to the essay’s analysis.
End with your thesis statement, making it clear what your essay will argue.

Step 5: Write the Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on one of the three key areas. Here’s how to approach each one:

Body Paragraph 1 – The Titles:
- Start by stating what you thought the titles meant before you read the story.
- Discuss how your understanding of the title(s) evolved as you finished the story.
- Explain how the title relates to the themes, characters, or symbolic elements in the story.
Body Paragraph 2 – Vanessa’s Relationship with Her Grandfather:
- Begin by describing the relationship between Vanessa and her grandfather.
- Use specific examples or scenes from the story to explain their connection. Consider moments of conflict, love, or emotional growth.
- Reflect on how their relationship impacts Vanessa’s understanding of family, adulthood, and herself.
Body Paragraph 3 – Retrospective Storytelling:
- Explore why Vanessa tells her childhood memories from an adult perspective.
- How does this change the way we interpret the story? What insights does it provide into her character and emotional journey?
- Use examples from the text to support your argument.

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

The conclusion should:

Restate your thesis in a new way, summarizing the key points you made in your body paragraphs.
Reflect on the overall meaning of the stories and what they reveal about Vanessa as a character.
End with a thought-provoking idea or question that leaves the reader with something to consider beyond the essay.

Step 7: Revise and Edit

After writing your first draft, take some time to revise. Look for areas where you can clarify your ideas, improve transitions, or add more supporting evidence. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Make sure your essay flows logically and is easy to read.

Step 8: Format Your Paper

Ensure your paper is properly formatted according to the guidelines. Use Times New Roman font, size 12, and double-space your entire essay. Include a title page (if required) and citations in the appropriate style (MLA, APA, etc.).

Final Tip:

Start early and give yourself time to reflect on the story before diving into writing. You’ll have more time to think critically about the story’s themes and characters, which will help you write a stronger, more thoughtful essay.