This document summarizes an EWRT 211 class on essay writing. The class covered MLA in-text citations, the essay #3 writing prompt on analyzing a character trait, and components of a strong introduction. For the trait analysis essay, students must choose a character trait, define it, and analyze its portrayal in a Harry Potter character. The class reviewed sample thesis statements and introductions. Homework includes reading Harry Potter chapters, a quiz, additional articles on the chosen trait, and drafting an introduction and thesis for the trait analysis essay.

1. EWRT 211 Class

2. AGENDA
• GPU Review: MLA In text
Citations
• Essay #3: Reviewing the
prompt Discussion:
Essay #3
– How to get started
• Writing Help
– Introductions
– Thesis statements

3. Review: MLA in-text citations
• When you quote, you need to cite
your source in the text itself.
• Your citation should include the
author’s last name and the page
number (if it exists).
• Put the citation in parentheses after
the quote.
• There is no punctuation in the
parentheses.
• There is no punctuation at the end of
the quote. The period for the
sentence goes after the
parentheses.
• Never use and ellipsis (…) at the
beginning or end of a quote.
• Example:
• Dumbledore explains that
“Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry.
Phoenixes burst into flame
when it is time for them to die
and are reborn from the ashes”
(Rowling 207).

4. Review: Essay #3: The
Writing Assignment:
Define a character trait,
explain its importance,
and analyze its portrayal
in a character.

5. Each of the Hogwarts houses has specific personality traits
that are associated with the students in that house. For
each of the four houses, you have been given two traits
from which to choose:
 Gryffindor: bravery, chivalry
 Hufflepuff: dedication, loyalty
 Ravenclaw: intelligence, creativity
 Slytherin: ambition, pride
• For this essay, choose ONE of the eight qualities from
the list above.
• Define and describe that quality in some depth,
considering both the potential good and bad aspects of
that quality.
• Analyze how that quality affects the attitude and/or
actions of ONE of the characters in Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets.
Your final essay should be between three and five
pages. (This means you should have at least one line on
page four to ensure you have filled three complete pages).

6. Your definition and analysis will rely on several sources, including a dictionary or
encyclopedia, an outside article, a hip-hop song (optional), and Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets.
Outside Sources:
• Your essay will use multiple outside sources to provide different types of
information in support your definition and analysis.
• In order to define and explain your trait, you will use a reliable and authoritative
dictionary or encyclopedia (NOT Wikipedia). (Use at least one quotation.)
• You will help to describe and explain your trait using discussion or examples from
an appropriate outside article. See Appendix I to this assignment for links to at
least one article for each trait. (Use at least one quotation.)
• You can also use an appropriate hip-hop song to help you explain your trait in
more detail. See Appendix II to this assignment for links to useful hip-hop songs.
(Optional: one quotation.)
• You will need at least two quotations describing and explaining your trait from
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (Use at least two quotations.)
• This means that your essay will contain at least four total quotations from three
different sources.

7. For homework, you posted answers to the
following prompts: Review what you have written
before you move to the next slide.
Come up with your own draft definition of the trait you
have chosen. In your own words, explain the trait as you
understand it, and tell why is it important? How many
aspects of the trait can you name?
Choose and post at least one quotation from the article
you read that helps to explain your character trait. Make
sure to note the article so you can find it again.
Now find a reliable definition of that trait from an
authoritative source. Use a dictionary or an encyclopedia
(use the library sources we learned about in class today).

8. 1. What is your trait, and how can you define it?
(Definition)
2. What article did you read?
3. How can an explanation of this concept be divided
into parts to make it easier for readers to
understand?
4. What are the positive and negative outcomes of the
trait?
5. Which character will work best to demonstrate your
trait?
Write out the answers
to these questions.

9. Let’s talk about the
Introduction
What do you need to include in your
introduction for this essay?

10. Components of your Introduction
1. Introduce your reader to the topic and draw
them in.
2. Define the trait you are talking about.
a) In your own words
b) Using reliable authorities
3. Distinguish different versions of that trait or
positives and negatives. Examples:
a) Three types of intelligence. Three types of
bravery.
b) One way that chivalry is good and two ways
that it can be bad.
4. A thesis statement! Where is this likely to
appear? Is it likely to be one sentence?

11. • Requirements from the assignment
that should probably appear in the
introduction:
– A definition of your trait from a
dictionary or encyclopedia.
– Description or explanation of
your trait from an outside source.
Do you think all of the components (on
the last slide and this one) will fit in one
paragraph? Nope!

12. Before you continue,
read the sample
introduction linked to the
homework page.
Here is the link in case
you can’t find the
homework page:
https://deanza.instructu
re.com/courses/2927/p
ages/essay-number-3-
sample-introduction

13. • Complete the following: You will post the answers to these questions later.
1. Where is the definition from a reliable source? Copy that sentence or
sentences and write “definition from a reliable source.”
2. Where is the definition of the trait in the writer’s own words? Copy the
definition, and write “writer’s own words.” NOTE: look for the most complete
definition that the writer offers.
3. Where is the explanation from an outside article? Copy it, and write “outside
article.”
4. This introduction defines self-confidence and tries to distinguish between
good self-confidence and bad self-confidence. Find the part(s) where it says
self-confidence is good. Copy that section and write “good.” Find the part(s)
where it says self-confidence is bad. Copy that section and write the word
“bad.”
5. In addition to using the outside sources, this introduction also tries to explain
the trait by giving examples the author has come up with herself. Identify
examples and list them as “author examples.”
6. Where do you think the thesis statement is here? Copy it and mark it as the
“thesis.”

14. Consider an approach to
the thesis for this essay:
1. Name your trait
2. Define it
3. Divide the explanation of this concept into parts to
make it easier for readers to understand. For
example, point out both a positive and negative
outcome of the trait, or divide it into different aspects
of the trait. Choose one or the other. There are
examples on the next page.
4. Assert which character demonstrates the trait.

15. Two different types of thesis
(Both acceptable for this paper!)
Self-confidence is a sense of trust that a person has in his or her own
skills and abilities, even though sometimes that trust may not be
realistic. Realistic self-confidence can help a person to impress other
people and to appear successful and competent, but when self-
confidence does not match one's abilities, it becomes overconfidence
and can lead to lack of knowledge and failure. In Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets, Gilderoy Lockhart illustrates both the positive
and negative consequences of high self-confidence.
Depression, characterized as feelings of despondency and dejection,
comes in several variations. Short term depression, also known as
“situational depression,” is common and most people experience it at
some time during their lives; but long-term depression, also referred to
as ”major depression disorder” is a mood condition which generally
requires treatment. Professor Snape has likely suffered from
situational depression, but he certainly demonstrates major
depression disorder throughout the novel.

16. HOMEWOR
K
Read HP Chapters 15-16 pages 265-305
Take the Quiz linked on the homework page.
The Quiz will determine your participation
points for the day.
Read A second (and third?) article about your
concept.
Read the entire Sample Paper (Twice!).
Vocabulary: Vocab 13-18
HW Discussion 9: Two parts!
1. Post the writing from slide #13
2. Write your introduction. Make sure you
include all of the components that we
discussed in class today. Finish your
introduction with a draft thesis that is
similar to one of the thesis statements
presented in slide 15.