This document provides an example of a one-idea essay using the IQC (Introduction, Quotation, Commentary) pattern to analyze the character of Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's classic detective story The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. The thesis states that Poirot portrays a clever and memorable detective. The idea sentence explains that Poirot solves the crime using his "little grey cells" to remain unforgettable. When investigating the murder, Poirot alone recognizes the significance of a moved armchair, as shown by a quotation he later provides. The commentary ties this quotation to the thesis by noting Poirot's unique ability to observe important clues that others missed.

1. A One-Idea Essay using the IQC Pattern

2. THESIS STATEMENT The THESIS STATEMENT is your strongest statement. It sometimes starts the paragraph, but not always! It includes the TAG + a general focus statement . It answers the question.

3. THESIS STATEMENT If you are asked this question: Is Hercule Poirot a memorable detective? Your thesis statement might look like this: Hercule Poirot portrays a clever and memorable detective in Agatha Christie’s classic detective story The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

4. IDEA SENTENCE The idea sentence goes one step further – it gives a deeper explanation. THINK TO YOURSELF, “He’s memorable because…” It might look like this: Poirot uses his little grey cells to solve the crime and remain unforgettable to his readers.

5. INTRODUCTION TO THE QUOTATION This is where you give context to your chosen quotation… do not leave it floating alone. Give the speaker (if necessary) and any background information about the scene or setting. When investigating the murder of Roger Ackroyd, Poirot is the only person to realize the significance of the arm chair being moved. He later explains to Sheppard that he noticed that the PS. You must choose the quotation before this step!

6. QUOTATION Your quotation does NOT have to be part of the spoken dialogue of the story. Any segment of text you pull from a written work can be considered the “quotation.” If you do use someone’s spoken words , you must “triple” quote the words. See below. “‘ table was completely hidden by the drawn-out chair–and immediately I had my first shadowy suspicion of the truth’” (Christie 343). Please notice the citation here. The period after truth was dropped and placed after the parentheses. The author’s last name and page number are included.

7. COMMENTARY You must comment on the fact that the quotation proves your thesis. It should tie into your thesis, but in a deeper way. Like this: While other characters, including the Inspector, in the room noticed that the arm chair was out of place, only Poirot was able to observe and analyze the importance of this clue.

8. CONCLUSION SENTENCE SUM IT UP – think outside the box a little here. You want the big picture. Think about things you know about Poirot and/or Agatha Christie, and try to tie them in here. You could make a connection to the real world. What can we learn from the detective? Why read Agatha Christie? Can modern day detectives learn from Poirot? Christie’s detective has remained a popular character for over a century because of his superior and admirable abilities to solve crimes. PS. If you mention the author, use last name only.

9. Hercule Poirot portrays a clever and memorable detective in Agatha Christie’s classic detective story The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . Poirot uses his little grey cells to solve the crime and remain unforgettable to his readers . When investigating the murder of Roger Ackroyd, Poirot is the only person to realize the significance of the arm chair being moved. He later explains to Ackroyd that he noticed that the “‘table was completely hidden by the drawn-out chair–and immediately I had my first shadowy suspicion of the truth’” (Christie 343). While other characters, including the Inspector, in the room noticed that the arm chair was out of place, only Poirot was able to observe and analyze the importance of this clue. Christie’s detective has remained a popular character for over a century because of his superior and admirable abilities to solve crimes. THE FINAL …