A guide to writing a literary essay based on Edyth Bulbring's "The Mark"

1. Writing A
Literary Essay
Focused on “The Mark”

2. EXAMPLE OF A LITERARY ESSAY TOPIC:
Ettie’s character is a reflection of her environment.
Discuss the truth of this statement in an essay of 250 - 300 words.
(1 - 1½ pages)
OR
The theme of dystopia plays a significant role in The Mark.
Discuss the validity of the above statement in an essay of 250 - 300
words.
(1 - 1½ pages)

3. STEP ONE:
ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC:
• The topic usually has 2 or more components:
1. THE STATEMENT/QUESTION:
Ettie’s character is a reflection of her environment.
OR
The theme of dystopia plays a significant role in
The Mark.

4. HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE
STATEMENT/QUESTION?
 The statement is the platform from which your essay
begins.
 You will need to PROVIDE EVIDENCE from the novel
to either support, reject or equally evaluate the
statement.
 You need to read the rest of the question in order to
understand how to plan/focus your research…

5. STEP ONE:
ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC (PART 2)
• The ‘instruction’ tells you how to approach your essay.
• 2. INSTRUCTION:
Discuss the truth of this statement in an essay of 250 - 300 words.
(1 - 1½ pages)
Or
Discuss the validity of the above statement in an essay of 250 - 300 words.
(1 - 1½ pages)

6. HOW DO YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION?
• This instruction relates directly to the manner in which you structure
your research.
 i.e. Discuss the truth of this statement.
• Your essay will not need to ‘take a side’ – this instruction requires you to consider all
options, before deciding whether or not the statement is true/false.

7. EXAMPLES OF OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
 Compare these two characters/scenes…….etc
▪ Your research will need to be focused on finding similar information
on both aspects in order to COMPARE.
• Contrast these two characters/scenes…….etc
• Your research will need to be focused on finding different
information on both aspects in order to CONTRAST.
• Examine the role a character plays in……
• Focus your research on the specific character AND how
they contributed to the events/outcome of the novel.

8. EXAMPLES OF OTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
• Discuss something specific e.g. a character
• Focus on the details related to the character and only the
character – be focused
• How do the female characters differ from….e.g.
modern day women
• Focus on the characters and collect information on them and
the other aspect of the question as well.

9. RESEARCH
 You will be required to include evidence from the
relevant sections of the novel in your essay.
▪ Examples of evidence:
▪ Summaries of important sections
• e.g. Reference to events in which Ettie
responds to her environment.
▪ Quotes that link to the statement
• e.g. “I am a girl of many masks.” – Ettie,
Chapter 1

10. HOW TO QUOTE:
 When quoting, always remember that the quote should
“fit” into the sentence in a flowing manner.
 e.g. It is clear that Ettie is a product of her environment. As she
says in chapter 1, “[she is] a girl of many masks,” forced to
adapt to the persecutory environments of Slum City and
Mangeria.

11. STEP TWO:
STRUCTURE OF A LITERARY ESSAY
 The basic format of all essays is the same:
▪ 1. Introduction – Usually 4-5 lines allowing the reader a glimpse of the
focus of and direction your essay has taken.
(The beginning of your literary journey.)
▪ 2. Body – Divided into paragraphs, the body allows you to present relevant
information in a logical and organised manner.
(The different stops you make while on your trip.)
▪ 3. Conclusion – Usually 6-7 lines rounding off your discussion and
explaining what the evidence has revealed in relation to the topic.
(The final destination.)

12. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION:
 Mention the author, title and genre:
 E.g. In Edyth Bulbring’s dystopian novel, The Mark…
 A broad statement introducing the topic in a general way:
▪ e.g. Ettie’s world is dystopian, filled with all the persecution that
comes with an oppressive regime.
 A quote that links to the statement: (If possible)
 e.g. It is clear that she acts the way she does in response to her
surroundings; she is a girl “of many masks.” (Chapter 1)
 A statement presenting the general direction of the paper in
one sentence – look to the ‘instruction’:
▪ e.g. While Ettie is capable of making her own decisions, the dystopian
environment plays a role in her decisions.

13. HOW TO STRUCTURE THE BODY:
• Remember to use words that link each paragraph to
the next in a logical manner.
• Each paragraph must contain ONE idea ONLY.
• Try as far as possible to write each paragraph in the
order the events occurred in the novel.
• Determine how many paragraphs you need to devote
each to the statement and instruction.

14. PARAGRAPHS:
“THE STATE, QUOTE, COMMENT TECHNIQUE”
 State: Make a statement relating to topic
▪ Slum City, created after the Conflagration, is a disturbing and difficult place
to live.
 Quote: Find a quote to support your statement.
▪ In Chapter 1, Ettie mentions “[wiping] sweat and seeping fluid from [her]
blistered face, and notes that, “water the colour of vomit and thick with
debris spills from the sewers.”
 Comment: In your own words, write down your observation.
 Such an environment can only be described as dystopian, because the
people in charge, are focused entirely on oppression, and not at all on
uplifting the citizens of Slum City.

15. CONCLUSION:
• It answers the "so what?" question, i.e. You have introduced the
essay, presented the evidence…so what?
• The conclusion ends your argument with a final decision – the
meaning of all that you have written in relation to the topic.
• You must link your conclusion to the information you have provided in
the body of your essay.

16. STRUCTURE OF THE CONCLUSION:
First sentence:
• Part 1 - Link to essay:
• Based on the evidence above…
• In light of the above discussion…
• As per the points mentioned in the essay above…
• Part 2 – concluding statement:
• … one may conclude that…
• … one can see that…
• … it is clear that…
Second sentence:
• Mention the points discussed in your essay
• The conditions in Slum City, the oppression from the Guardians/Posh/Locusts, the weather
conditions, people trying to survive etc.
Third sentence:
• What does this show us – final statement/decision

17. IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
1. Do NOT use “I” statements
2. Your personal opinion is irrelevant
3. Do not judge the character’s actions or viewpoints
4. Use the text, and only the text, to support your statements.
5. Write in the present tense.
6. Structure your essay properly
7. DO NOT tell the story