A clearly articulated thesis that states, somewhere in your introduction, the assertion (position, interpretation) that your paper will prove
An introduction, a minimum of 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion
At least two quotes from the novel itself that are integrated into your discussion
At least two citations of outside sources (such as literary criticism on the novel, preferably from articles from the MDC databases)
Topic sentences that focus the discussion in the body paragraphs
Examples, details, explanations in the body paragraphs that clearly support your thesis
Clear connections between ideas from paragraph to paragraph and within paragraphs
Proper MLA style format in the heading, in the in-text citations, and in the Works Cited page (see the template for the heading and margins in this lesson)
Works Cited page includes articles from two sources and from the novel for a minimum of three total listed sources
Standard usage, grammar, and mechanics
