1. The title of your paper must follow the “catchy phrase/colon/topic of paper”
format. (For example titles, refer to the essays by Achebe, Mongia, and Trench-
Bonett.) Your title must be in plain 12-point font, and do not put your title in
quotes.
Your thesis paragraph must include the following:
 A brief paraphrase of the critical views you will quote and discuss in your
paper;
 A thesis that
o states which of the critical views is most compelling;
o provides a roadmap of the textual evidence from the novel that you
will use to support your thesis.
Your first body paragraph must include an explanation of critical view #1.
 Use at least two direct and at least two indirect references to the critical
essay in this paragraph, and quote and cite the source using MLA style.
 Do not summarize the entire essay; instead, explain one key point that the
critic makes about racism or imperialism in Heart of Darkness.
Your second body paragraph should transition smoothly from paragraph #1 and
must include an explanation of critical view #2.
 As with your first body paragraph, your second body paragraph must include
at least two direct and at least two indirect references to the critical essay in
this paragraph, and quote and cite using MLA style.
 Do not summarize the entire essay; instead, explain one key point that the
critic makes about racism or imperialism in the novel.
Your third paragraph should transition smoothly from your second body
paragraph by reasserting which of the two critical views is more compelling and
why, and your third and fourth body paragraphs must provide a full defense or
your thesis.
 In these paragraphs, provide a complete defense of your thesis using
evidence from the novel.
 Feel free to qualify the critical argument you are supporting if necessary.
 Both of these paragraphs must contain direct and indirect references to the
novel, and your quotations must be correctly integrated and cited.
 Be sure to clearly connect your textual evidence to your thesis.
Your conclusion must complete your argument and contain a final relevant point
in support of your thesis.
You must include a works cited page at the end of your essay.