Body Paragraphs for Close-Reading Essay

The number one rule to remember is to stay away from plot summary. Instead of writing a book report, we want to write an analytical essay.

One helpful way to accomplish this is to follow the TREAT model:

T- Topic sentence (Make sure this connects with your Thesis Statement)

R- Reasoning (This is basically the transition into your quote as you show the reasoning behind your claim in the topic sentence.)

E- Evidence (direct quote)

A- Analysis (see steps A, B, and C below).

T- Tie it together

All literature-analysis or close-reading essays follow the TREAT model in some form. The most important part of this model is the “Analysis” step- this is what you will be graded on most heavily in literature-based essays.

When analyzing direct quotes, you want to try and accomplish three steps:

A.    Consider what the purpose is of the actual quote by discussing its subtleties of the topics and ideas expressed. Basically, what is the author saying without directly saying it? (Ultimately, what is the point of including this quote? What is Shakespeare really trying to say or express? What are the larger ideas shown in this specific part of the text?)

B.    Assess how the quote is said; considering how the word choice, sentence structure, diction, tone, or devices used by the author contribute to the meaning of the passage. Look specifically at the language. This is what you will focus on!

C.    Connect this analysis of the passage back to the significance of the text as a whole. What were you originally trying to say in your thesis statement, and how does this point you are making with the quote help contribute to your original argument?

Make sure to never tell the reader simply what is occurring in the quote- this is just plot summary. 

  




Feel free to change up the formula. Often, writers will include two quotes per paragraph. Just make sure to transition into your quote and analyze it. Never leave a quote unanalyzed; it will get very lonely.

Read both sample body paragraphs. Assess how well they use the TREAT model. Provide edits and determine what the paragraphs get right, and what they get wrong.

Thesis Statement: In the soliloquy immediately following Hamlet’s “trap” for Claudius, Shakespeare has Hamlet use supernatural imagery and violent diction to further portray him as an unstable man on the cusp of murderous and irreversible action as he is slowly losing his grip on reality.

Sample Body Paragraph One:

            At one point in the play Hamlet talks about how much he is craving vengeance and blood for his father’s death. First Hamlet says “’Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and hell itself breaths out Contagion to the world” (3.2.419-421). Here Hamlet is saying that it is the time of the night when evil events can occur. He feels that the evilness of hell can be unleashed into the rest of the world through the graveyards. This shows that he feels that he can commit these evil acts too, which is why he is finally ready to kill Claudius. He even states that he is in such a vengeful state that he could “drink hot blood” and commit violent acts during this night that “the day would quake on” (3.2.422-424). Hamlet is obviously in an unstable state since he is speaking with such violent and supernatural language. After delivering this speech, it is not a shock that he kills the wrong person just two scenes later.

Sample Body Paragraph Two: 

Through the supernatural imagery used by Hamlet in this soliloquy, it is apparent that the usually peaceful Danish prince is on the verge of violence as he prepares to commit a murder which he is mentally unprepared for. In the opening lines of the speech, images of supernatural and wicked occurrences jump out to the reader as Hamlet states: “’Tis now the very witching time of night,/ When churchyards yawn and hell itself breaths out/ Contagion to the world” (3.2.419-421). As is common with most supernatural events, Hamlet emphasizes the darkness of the night as it provides Hamlet with cover to commit any evil or murderous actions. By describing the night as “witching,” Hamlet makes clear that this is no ordinary night but a mysterious and eerie night full of over-powering and mischievous forces that set the mood for murder. Hamlet continues these images by personifying churchyards as they “yawn” and “breathe out” hell itself. These images all help convey a sense of the paranormal as Hamlet speaks of these possessive and wicked powers taking over the castle during this night. But it isn’t the castle which these powers are taking over, but Hamlet’s mind itself. The “contagion” that Hamlet speaks of is not of evilness roaming over the land, but the evilness and suspension of morality in his own consciousness. As a man who has never taken a life and is much more comfortable reading books on philosophy than fighting in battles, Hamlet is simply not equipped to commit murder. Hamlet can only take on this murderous mindset if he creates a make-believe world in his mind full of the supernatural and evilness of the damned. Since this soliloquy takes place immediately after Hamlet produces a fictional play of his father’s death, and after Hamlet has been acting mad himself for two acts, it comes as no surprise that Hamlet is living in his own fantasy of vengeance and death – thus portraying him as a man distancing himself further from reality, which in turn makes killing a much simpler act, but also adds to his unstable and dangerous state of mind.