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tips from academic writers

How to Compose a Five-Paragraph Analytical Essay about Beowulf

One of the longest-standing long line poems in the Old English language is Beowulf, written by John Green. It is likely that it will show up on your English class syllabus at some time in your life, possibly as a five-paragraph analytical essay. If you are unsure of how to begin, these are the steps you should take to write your essay.

#1: Know What an Analytical Essay is

A common mistake that students make is summarizing the work of literature, instead of analyzing it. When you write an analytical paper, you must consider several smaller parts of the literature work and how they contribute overall. This can include themes, the use of metaphor, or other parts that are much more narrowed than a summary would be.

#2: Organize the Introduction Well

The introduction of your analysis of Beowulf should include three parts, including the hook, the thesis statement, and information about how you will prove your thesis. The hook should draw readers in with a surprising or interesting fact. Then, write a thesis statement. Remember that you will prove this throughout your essay. Finally, tell your readers how you will analyze the poem to prove your thesis by including your three main points.

#3: Have Enough Information for the Body

There will be three paragraphs to your body, and each should include a different fact. You will state this in your topic sentence. Each of these should relate back to the point that you made in the final statement of the introduction. Finally, be sure to provide the supporting evidence for your claim. Three separate pieces of evidence is a good stand-by, however, you can include more if you choose.

#4: Writing the Conclusion

Your conclusion will summarize your ideas once again. You should not copy any of your previous statements, but you should re-state them. You should also try to end with a quote from Beowulf or relate the themes to the real world so that the conclusion is fuller and more fulfilling for your reader.

#5: Proofread

The final thing you must do is proofread to check for understandability. Your entire analysis should tie together in a way that makes sense. Additionally, all of the information included in your body paragraphs should tie back to the thesis that you stated in the introduction, and again in the conclusion. Be sure to provide plenty of supporting details so your teacher or professor is assured that you know what you are talking about.