Zoe Ellingwood

Expository Writing
Ms. Johnson
May 5, 3017

The Great Gatsby Essay Self-Assessment

Literary Analysis Research Paper

1. Write a brief summary describing the main point of your essay.

The main point of my essay is to prove why the Great Gatsby is a satire, and why Fitzgerald
chose to portray the 1920s in this way. I use evidence in the Great Gatsby as well as research on
the 1920s to show how the two relate.

2. Is your thesis strong? Why or why not?

Yes, my thesis is strong. I directly answer all parts to the prompt, and mention (by listing) all
supporting details that are elaborated on further in the paper.

3. What is the most well-developed part of your essay? Explain why its so fantastic.

I think my introduction is very well developed. I start by explaining the 1920s and the
extravagances that were seen, bringing the reader to my attention (so to say.) I then go on to
explain the prompt and why exactly The Great Gatsby is a satire. I finish with my thesis which
sets up the rest of my essay well.

4. How do you transition and tie your ideas together?

My ideas flow pretty well together and go in order of which I listed them in my thesis. My thesis
is: F. Scott Fitzgerald uses humor, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose the stupidity of the
leisure class, mock womens rebellious roles, and exploit materialism. My first body paragraph is
about the leisure class, as listed first in the thesis statement. My second paragraph is about
womens rebellious roles, as listed second in my thesis statement. And lastly, my third paragraph
is about materialism because it was listed third in the thesis statement. The first sentence in each
body paragraph describes the rest of the paragraph, making each of the paragraphs flow together.

5. Why should the reader believe what you have to say? What makes you reliable?
I use an abundance of research from various reliable sources throughout the paper. This, in
addition to explaining both sides of the argument but debunking the one that I dont agree with,
makes me a reliable author.

6. How does your conclusion tie up your main ideas? How does it leave the reader thinking?

My conclusion starts with my restated and reworded thesis statement. It then goes into an
overview of each of my body paragraph, to remind the readers what the essay was about. My
conclusion gives a brief overview and ties the ideas together, but does not leave the reader
thinking. This could have been done better.