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Tales of the

Writing Process

Into the Wild Essay

Introduction • An engaging, thought-provoking discussion?

• Or an image or anecdote related to Chris?

• Provide necessary background information?

• Introduce the book (italicize the title Into the Wild)?

• Avoid clichés and stating the obvious (Example: some people are role models)?

Introduction: Background & the Opposition

• Establish that the issue is, in fact, an issue (a debatable one)?

• This is a great place to address a specific opposing argument.

• Opening touches briefly on the major points that will be raised later in the essay?

Thesis Statement • Highlight your thesis statement.

• Statement is clear, concise, sophisticated and complete.

• Thesis answers the task question.

• You introduce the general reasons why Chris is or is not a role model.

• Is your thesis complete or incomplete?

• Jot down notes about the state of your thesis.

Example• Chris McCandless is a cautionary tale and

embodies the opposite of the values and ethics people hold so dearly: he lives his life according to an anarchist philosophy, one that encourages violating and dismissing important laws.

• Chris McCandless is a hero, a model of courage and discipline, for he lived his life according to an inspiring, anti-materialistic philosophy, and he discovers an invaluable truth as a result.

Topic Sentences• Do you begin with a specific topic sentence that frames

the entire paragraph?

• Highlight your topic sentence.

• Write down what changes you need to make.

• Example: In a world of excess greed and materialism, Chris marched to the beat of a different drum and chose a minimalist lifestyle, one that has the potential to change the way people approach life.

Context • After the topic sentence, do you provide context/an

overview regarding the topic before you begin analyzing examples?

• Do you transition into the first example with context (meaning, what is generally going on in the book or article)?

• Cross out words such as “first,” “firstly,” “secondly,” and “also.”

• Does one idea lead into the next? Or are you jumping around without notice or warning?

Example • In a world of excess greed and materialism,

Chris marched to the beat of a different drum and chose a minimalist lifestyle, one that has the potential to change the way people approach life. Even when Chris McCandless was younger and a student in high school, he lived a simple, anti-materialistic life, for he partially blamed his parents’ abusive, violent behavior on greed and wealth.

Transitions • Do you transition from one example to the next by

using context?

• Avoid formulaic transitions.

• :( Another reason Chris should be considered a role model is…

• :) Chris is an inspiration, a true role model who fought against the greedy grains of society, an anti-materialist who led a simplistic life, so he could focus on the important aspects of life.

Examples • Number your specific examples.

• Do you discuss a wide range of relevant details and examples to enhance and support your thesis?

• Do you tell and show?

• Do you explain these examples and details thoroughly?

• Do you provide context and explain what is generally going on?

• Do you discuss situations and examples in the order in which they happened?

Incorporating Quotes• Highlight ALL of your quotes.

• Do you have quotes?

• Is the majority of your paper in your own words (85%-90%)?

• Do you incorporate quotes naturally into the flow of your writing?

• Do you change the quote as needed to fit your sentence?

• Brackets

• Elipses

• Tense

Quotes and Context • Do you properly introduce the quote and/or explain what is

generally going on in the text?

• Could any fairly educated person understand what’s going on?

• Do you include only the parts of the quote you absolutely need?

• Do you quote single words you borrowed, like “freeloader” and “bum” (Medred).

• Do you cite the quote immediately after the sentence is over?

Example

• She claims that even now, she "can't seem to get through a day without crying" (qtd. in Krakauer 129).

• McCandless responded by claiming that "how [he] feed[s] [him]self is none of the government's business" (Krakauer 6).

Analysis • Do you use the topic “Role Model” as a frame to analyze

EVERYTHING you reference?

• Do you draw conclusions, make inferences (how does the information you reference prove Chris is/is not an inspiration?)?

• Why are the laws he violated important, for example?

• What are the consequences/benefits of children idolizing Chris?

• How is Chris representative (or not) of our values and morals?

• Why are the things Chris did/did not do, believed/did not believe positive or negative?

Examples• It is rather shocking that he left her to deal with with

abusive parents while he traveled the country alone; he left her at risk of being beaten by their highly abusive father Walt or being forced to watch their parents fight and hurt each other (McCandless). A role model, a true hero would certainly never abandon a loved one in need; instead, he would take the necessary steps to protect the people he loves. What kind of message does that send to the innocent, the impressionable if the world celebrates a person like Chris: that it is acceptable to desert a person in need no matter the consequences?

Conclusion

• For this assignment, have a clear conclusion.

Overall• Do you address the opposition? Mark it with an asterisk.

• Do you address the opposition a couple of times?

• Do you address the opposition when it is relevant to do so?

• Do you refute the opposition and/or render it negligible?

• Do you use information from three different texts, including Into the Wild?

• Do you introduce the three different texts by name the first time you use information from them?

MLA

• FINISH THIS PROCESS OVER THE NEXT WEEK.