PRE-AP ANALYTICAL ESSAY

Thesis & Body Paragraph Examples

“THANK YOU, MA’AM”—SAMPLE THESIS

The positive effect of Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’ feeding Roger, cleaning him up, and giving him advice proves that treating undeserving people with kindness is better than treating them with condemnation.

“THANK YOU, MA’AM”—SAMPLE INTRODUCTION

When great teachers are mentioned, most people think of biology instructors, football coaches, Scout leaders, and others in similar positions. However, some of the greatest teachers may be individuals not normally classified as teachers. Roger, a character in the short story “Thank You Ma'am” by Langston Hughes, encounters such an unusual teacher on a city sidewalk. Because she is a trustful and generous woman, Mrs. Jones teaches Roger a lesson he will remember.

“THANK YOU, MA’AM”—SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH #1

Mrs. Jones proves to be a trustful person. She decides that Roger needs to wash and to eat and that she will take him to her home in order to do so. “'I got a great mind to wash your face for you,'” she tells Roger. “'You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong. Least I can do right now is to wash your face. Are you hungry?'” In just a few words she assumes, the role of teacher and a mother substitute. She not only takes Roger home, but she also continues to display a trusting nature once they arrive. When she gets up to prepare supper, Mrs. Jones “did not watch the boy to see if he was going to run now, nor did she watch her purse which she left behind on her daybed.” Roger begins to respond to Mrs. Jones in a positive way. Her actions allow Roger to see himself not as a thief, but a trustworthy young man. Mrs. Jones' trust in him is beginning to create a relationship between them.

“THANK YOU, MA’AM”—SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH #2

Mrs. Jones' generosity to Roger extends beyond her sharing a meal with him. Roger tells her that he tried to steal her purse in order to get money for a pair of blue suede shoes. Mrs. Jones then does a remarkable thing. She takes money from her purse and says, “'Now here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede shoes.'” Although her ways are tough and her exterior rigid, she exhibits both empathy and kindness to Roger. Her giving the money for new shoes she brings out the good in him further. She bids him goodnight, and Roger wants to express his gratitude but cannot find words more eloquent than a simple “thank you.” Mrs. Jones, on the other hand, does not expect anything from Roger. He is unable to fathom that a person can be so bighearted. However, Hughes leaves the reader with the definite impression that Roger has been profoundly touched by the generosity of Mrs. Jones.

“THANK YOU, MA’AM”—SAMPLE CONCLUSION

Some teachers are brilliant instructors due to their superior education. Others make excellent educators because they are adept as communicators. Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones emerges not from a university but rather from a hotel beauty shop to become Roger's teacher. Her trust and generosity communicate more to Roger than mere words ever could.

“FISH CHEEKS”—SAMPLE THESIS

In “Fish Cheeks,” written by Amy Tan, the author uses details and diction to reveal that an embarrassing experience in her youth changed how she felt about her family’s heritage by making her realize that her feelings of shame were based on other people’s responses more than her own feelings.

“FISH CHEEKS”—SAMPLE INTRODUCTION

Many a holiday have resulted in tears, doors slamming, and loud arguments. Novelist Amy Tan, in her narrative essay “Fish Cheeks,” recounts an embarrassing Christmas Eve dinner when she was 14 years old. Through humor and a sentimental tone, Tan conveys the idea that youth can cloud one’s acknowledgment of sacrifice and love.

“FISH CHEEKS”—SAMPLE CONCLUSION

In the passage, Tan goes through a change of heart. At first, she felt shame over the differences between her family and the minister’s family. However, after her mother’s lesson, she discovered that rather than allowing others’ responses to lead her to shame, she should be proud of her Chinese heritage and culture.