1. The assigned topic for the essay is "Why Write about Literature"; your paper addresses the value of literature rather than the value of writing about literature. Additionally "literature" is literary fiction.
2. The essay structure
a. The thesis should be one sentence, the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.
b. The thesis should introduce the topic (why write about literature) and the points of support (the specific reasons that writing about literature has value) in the order those points are discussed in the body.
c. The topic sentence of each body paragraph should (a) introduce the main idea of the paragraph, one of the reasons that writing about literature has value, and (b) relate that idea to the thesis (the value that writing about literature has.
3. Any source material should be credited using MLA guidelines: Introduced with a signal phrase (author and title, context); credited with a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence with the borrowed material; and a Works Cited that lists bibliographic citations - in MLA formatting - for the sources credited. Yours is APA (not MLA).
I have attached the paper with the grading rubric included at the end so that you can see the rationale for the grade.
The instruction in the first part addresses the structure of the essay, and specifically, the placement and purpose of thesis, its importance and placement, as well as its relationship to the body paragraphs.
There are lecture about the essay structure, about planning, and about the thesis. Additionally, there are links to a searchable webpage with notes for the lectures and information about all aspects of the essay and the writing process.
The thesis, the last sentence of the introduction, should introduce the key points of support, the ideas that are the topics of the body paragraphs.
Additionally, there should be a clear statement of the topic.
Finally, the thesis is not an "announcement" of what will be discussed but a statement of position.
The following are examples of thesis statements from the class essays:
According to Johnson and Arp, writing about literature gives additional practice in writing clearly and it deepens understanding of literary works.
Johnson and Arp propose [that] individuals will improve their writings skills to be clearer and more persuasive writers as well as gain a deeper understanding of the work. Finally, the purpose of benefiting other readers is a key reason to write about literature.
The purpose of writing about literature is to inform different types of readers, break down the literature into different parts, and to analyze the text in a way that proves and supports the reviewer's interpretation of a literary work.
Writing about literature is very important because it can enlighten, deepen understanding, and be great writing practice.
Two main reasons for writing about literature are to provide practice in writing clearly and persuasively, p2a and to deepen the understanding of the literary works.
Johnson and Arp's book, Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense states that by writing about literature is important because it increases writing skills, furthers knowledge about literary works and the messages spread by the works, and allows opinions to be shared about literary works.
To fully appreciate the importance of literature, one must be able to clearly communicate assertions about the piece. Writing about literature helps the reader analyze the text, examine the meaning more clearly, and communicate assertions about the literary work.