Elements of the Academic Essay
by Gordon Harvey
Gordon Harvey's "Elements of the Academic Essay"
Expository Writing Program - Harvard University
1. Thesis: your main insight or idea about a text or topic, and the main proposition that your essay
demonstrates. It should be true but arguable (not obviously or patently true, but one alternative
among several), be limited enough in scope to be argued in a short composition and with available
evidence, and get to the heart of the text or topic being analyzed (not be peripheral). It should be
stated early in some form and at some point recast sharply (not just be implied), and it should govern
the whole essay (not disappear in places).
2. Motive: the intellectual context that you establish for your topic and thesis at the start of your essay,
in order to suggest why someone, besides your instructor, might want to read an essay on this topic or
（0171）《美国文学史及选读》复习思考题答案
I. Write out the authors’ names of the following works. (15)
Benjamin Franklin T. S. Eliot
James Cooper Walt Whitman
James Baldwell Ernest Hemingway
Joseph Heller John Steinbeck
William Faulkner Mark Twain
Washington Irving Ernest Hemingway
Robert Frost Toni Morrison
Ralph Ellison Eugene O’Neill
John Steinbeck Allan Poe
F. Scott Fitzgerald Tennessee Williams
Washington Irving Robert Frost
Nathaniel Hawthorne Herman Melville
Eugene O’Neill Mark Twain
William Faulkner Robert Frost
Arthur Miller James Cooper
H. D. Thoreau Henry James
Whitman Jack London
Jack London O’Neill
II. Define the following literary terms. (20)
Beat generation: The term was coined by Jack Kerouac in 1948 to refer to a group of
1 教学设计
故事简介：
本文讲述的是Jimmy和Bob两个好朋友信守20年前的承诺回来见面，但令人出乎意料的是，Jimmy成了警察，Bob成了罪犯，友情和法律，Jimmy又将如何做出选择？
课型 Reading
主题语境 人与社会—良好的人际关系与社会交往之“情与法”
教学目标 1.Master the basic elements of novel and understand the characteristics of the
surprising ending of O· Henry`s novel; (掌握小说基本要素，了解出乎意料的结局)
2.Clarify the storyline of the novel and reasonably predict the ending of the story;
（理清故事线并预测结局）
3.Students can simply evaluate the behavior of characters;（简要评估人物行为）
4.Make the right choice between “love and law” and establish a healthy friendship as
well as outlook of life.（在“友情和法律”间做出正确选择，并树立良好的友情观）
教学重点 1.Guide students to understand the basic features of novel, clarify the plot and
predict the ending of the story reasonably;（引导学生理解小说基本特点、探索场景及合理预测故事结尾）
2.evaluate characters` behavior objectively;（引导学生客观评估人物行为）
介绍小说的英语作文
Introduction to Novels。
Novels are a form of fiction that allows readers to
escape their reality and immerse themselves in a different
world. They are a popular form of literature that has been
around for centuries and continues to captivate readers of
all ages.
The origins of the novel can be traced back to the 18th
century in Europe, where writers began to experiment with a
new form of storytelling. Novels are typically longer than
short stories and are often divided into chapters. They
also have more complex plots and characters, allowing for a
deeper exploration of themes and ideas.
One of the most important elements of a novel is its
characters. Characters are the driving force behind the
story and are often the reason why readers become
emotionally invested in the book. A well-written character can be relatable, inspiring, or even terrifying. They can
