Finding Great Ideas

On this blog, you've read about brainstorming. You've read about writing thesis statements. Yet your first thought when asked to write an essay is still, "Uh...."

You're asked to write an essay comparing Macbeth to Othello and your response is, "But there's nothing to compare!"

I understand.

Just coming up with ideas for a stellar thesis statement can be tough. It requires some well-placed effort and focus--including:

#1. Reading analytically. And taking notes.

When you sit down to read a text, you should always jot down the following information:

a. Title of text
b. Name and short bio of the author
c. Year of publication/Historical time period
d. Subject of text
e. Theme (or thesis) of text
f. Description of major characters (for literary texts)
g. Main points/Quotes relevant to the theme or thesis
h. A one-paragraph summary of the text

Not only will these notes shave HOURS off of your study time in a class that requires you to read six or more books, they will help you write a stellar thesis statement for your next essay.

Why these?

* The author's bio may reveal a bias or experience that affected his or her writing. Exploring said bias can be the focus of a stellar essay.

* You may discover a similar theme in another work and, therefore, have the foundation for a great compare/contrast essay.

(What is a theme, you ask? The theme is like a comment on a work's subject. For instance, say the subject of a novel is "war". Therefore, the theme might be "war is evil" or "war is necessary". A work's theme reveals itself through poignant quotes, events and outcomes.)

* Books and novels often comment upon the times or society in which they are published. Such commentary can be explored in an essay.

* Character analysis can also make a great essay.

* The other notes? They will help you remember the text you read, which is essential when you're facing a midterm.

Reading analytically means keeping your eyes peeled for anything significant in the text. Pay special attention to the main character's evolution through the story, symbols, the story's ending, and conflicts between and within the characters.

#2. Go to class and pay attention (and take more notes).

I'm not being sarcastic here. If you listen to your professor during class, he or she will clue you in to the major themes and important quotes of the texts you are reading. This can be a huge help when stuck reading a long, boring, or confusing text. If your professor focuses on a particular scene, make a note of it and what he says about it. If your professor mentions a certain quote two or more times in class, underline and highlight that bad boy. You can rest assured said scene or quote will appear on a test, if not in your essay. Make notes in the margin of your text if necessary. Fold the page down for future reference. Organize your notes for easy reference later.

Some students complain that taking notes doesn't help them much. That's because they aren't taking the RIGHT kind of notes. Often, students try to frantically scribble down their professor's every word. Not effective. Instead, do this:

* Write down what he or she puts on the blackboard.

* Note the pertinent information he or she gives on the text.

That's it. Spend the rest of class listening and participating in the discussion.

#3. Think big and dig deep.

The biggest problem I see in poor essays is mediocrity (i.e., lack of significance or relevance). Sure, two characters in different stories may have gray hair and wear trench coats, but how is that worth mentioning? Do the gray hair and trench coats symbolize anything? Similarities and differences aren't worth discussing unless they are significant.

Actively look for ways to explore a text. Focus on symbolism or timelessness (i.e., a work written in 1604 still has relevance today because...?). Look for information that can tie two works together in a meaningful way. Do so, and you'll be on your way to writing a stellar essay.