The Scarlet Letter

All essays will be research-based, with at least FIVE sources in addition to the text or texts that are the focus of the essay’s study. At least three of these sources must be print-based sources; this includes NCLive sources from vendors such as EBSCOHost, PROQuest, and Netlibrary, as well as other print sources that are electronically acquired.

Articles from Wikipedia, encyclopediae, or other general reference tools ARE NOT acceptable sources. Sources also CANNOT include other student essays or websites, sample essays, so-called “free essays” online, and materials such as Sparknotes, Cliffsnotes, or other “shortcut” study guides. If you are unsure about a source’s appropriateness, please contact your instructor BEFORE using it.

All sources must be documented in MLA format on a works cited page.

The essay must have a clear, argumentative thesis presented in the introduction. The introduction should also put forth the author(s) and text title(s) the essay will analyze. The sample thesis statements below should give you an idea of what would be appropriate. You are welcome to use similar thesis statements, but are encouraged to sculpt your own.

Each supporting paragraph must use a combination of quotations, paraphrases, and author analysis to support the argument put forth the thesis. Parenthetical citation will be used to document quotations and paraphrases.

The essay will be written in third person (no “I”, “ me,” and certainly no “you”)

Remember to work toward analysis rather than mere summary. We all read the texts; there is no need to re-write them!

Remember that events within the text are recounted in present tense: “Emerson writes…”

The essay will be typed, double-spaced, in a “normal” 10-12 point font, such as Times New Roman, and will be turned in with an outline. No cover sheet is needed.

SAMPLE THESIS: In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author uses guilt, identity, and social norms as themes related to the criticism of Puritan beliefs.