Before you write, there are some things you need to know about formal academic writing.
Writing About Literature
Rule 1 - Write about literature in the present tense.
When you are reading a book, when is the action happening? Many students write about it as if it is happening in the past. Instead of thinking about literature as something in the past, try to think of it as a piece of artwork; it may have been created in the past, but it exists in the present.
What's happening in the painting?
How would you describe the painting?
1. "The people were having a good time. Some played instruments while others danced. The painting was vibrant and colorful."
OR
2. "The people are having a good time. Some play instruments while others dance. The painting is vibrant and colorful."
How would you describe the painting?
1. "The people were having a good time. Some played instruments while others danced. The painting was vibrant and colorful."
OR
2. "The people are having a good time. Some play instruments while others dance. The painting is vibrant and colorful."
The painting should be described as it is in sentence #2. The painting exists in teh present, so we describe it in the present. Likewise, literature should be described in the present tense.
Read the following description of the plot of "The Cask of Amontillado."
The main character, Montressor, had a grudge against his friend, Fortunado. He vowed to get revenge, but he wanted to get revenge in a way in which he would not be caught. He also wanted to make sure Fortunado knew that it was he who was getting revenge. He lured him down into the catacombs by telling him that he had purchased some Amontillado, a fine wine. Once he got him down into the catacombs, he chained him and buried him alive.
The above summary describes the plot in past tense as if the story is a thing of the past. Literature is always happening now, each time a reader reads him. Therefore, it should be described in the present tense.
The main character, Montressor, has a grudge against his friend, Fortunado. He vows to get revenge, but he wants to get revenge in a way in which he will not be caught. He also wants to make sure Fortunado knows that it is he who is getting revenge. He lures him down into the catacombs by telling him that he has purchased some Amontillado, a fine wine. Once he gets him down into the catacombs, he chains him and buries him alive.
Read the following description of the plot of "The Cask of Amontillado."
The main character, Montressor, had a grudge against his friend, Fortunado. He vowed to get revenge, but he wanted to get revenge in a way in which he would not be caught. He also wanted to make sure Fortunado knew that it was he who was getting revenge. He lured him down into the catacombs by telling him that he had purchased some Amontillado, a fine wine. Once he got him down into the catacombs, he chained him and buried him alive.
The above summary describes the plot in past tense as if the story is a thing of the past. Literature is always happening now, each time a reader reads him. Therefore, it should be described in the present tense.
The main character, Montressor, has a grudge against his friend, Fortunado. He vows to get revenge, but he wants to get revenge in a way in which he will not be caught. He also wants to make sure Fortunado knows that it is he who is getting revenge. He lures him down into the catacombs by telling him that he has purchased some Amontillado, a fine wine. Once he gets him down into the catacombs, he chains him and buries him alive.
Rule 2 - Write in third person point-of-view
Formal academic writing should be written in third person point-of-view. The purpose for this is to maintain an objective tone by leaving yourself out of the writing and focusing on the subject. This is often difficult for students to get used to, because this isn't how we naturally speak.
First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns
1st Person - I, we, me, us, my, mine, our, ours
2nd Person - You, your, yours
3rd Person - He, she, it , they, him, her, hers, them, their, theirs
Read the following passage from a student's essay:
When you think of Romeo and Juliet, you naturally think of love. Persevering through obstacles to find true love is a theme that all of us can identify with, which is why we love this story so much.
The passage has to be rewritten to remove the first and second person pronouns. This may require changing some of the words.
When one thinks of Romeo and Juliet, he or she naturally thinks of love. Persevering through obstacles to find true love is a theme that many can identify with, which is why the story is so well-loved.
Formal academic writing should be written in third person point-of-view. The purpose for this is to maintain an objective tone by leaving yourself out of the writing and focusing on the subject. This is often difficult for students to get used to, because this isn't how we naturally speak.
First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns
1st Person - I, we, me, us, my, mine, our, ours
2nd Person - You, your, yours
3rd Person - He, she, it , they, him, her, hers, them, their, theirs
Read the following passage from a student's essay:
When you think of Romeo and Juliet, you naturally think of love. Persevering through obstacles to find true love is a theme that all of us can identify with, which is why we love this story so much.
The passage has to be rewritten to remove the first and second person pronouns. This may require changing some of the words.
When one thinks of Romeo and Juliet, he or she naturally thinks of love. Persevering through obstacles to find true love is a theme that many can identify with, which is why the story is so well-loved.
More Rules for Formal Writing
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Punctuating Titles Within Your Paper
Note - this has to do with punctuating titles of texts you mention in your paper, not the title of your paper. What to do with the title of your paper is covered in the MLA section. |
Take the quiz on Schoology entitled "Writing About Literature"
before going on.
before going on.