Students sometimes make this common mistake when writing critical essays: They mistake plot summary for critical analysis. I generally notice this problem when I can't find topic sentences at the beginning of body paragraphs. Instead of writing down some idea that demands proof through analysis and citation, students will recall some aspect of the story and start retelling the plot. The information on this sheet, I hope, will help you to learn the difference between these two approaches to writing critical essays.

1. What is Plot Summary?

It's just what it says. It happens when you start re-telling the plot of a short story or novel or play. I often find this in the beginning of a new body paragraph when a student will write:

"Trouble begins when Cabot brings Abbie home to be his wife."

or

"Edna then decides to seek her freedom by moving out of her home into a smaller cottage."

These two sentences may seem to be important, but they really aren't; they simply retell the plot of their stories. And remember that when you write a critical essay, you make certain assumptions about your audience, the first of which is that they have read the same story you have and understand the basic plot. Assume they don't understand the subtle themes, symbols, structures and parallels of the story you're writing about.

2. What is a Topic Sentence?

A topic sentence is similar to and different from a thesis sentence. First recall that a thesis sentence is the most important sentence in your essay. It states the goal of your essay and what you are attempting to prove.

A sample thesis sentence might read:

"Edna Pontellier's suicide is a great act of self-love and compassion, freeing herself from tyranny and her children from scandal."

A topic sentence is different than a thesis sentence in that it is far more narrow and serves to prove the thesis sentence. It is similar in that it, too, may be fairly contentious and demanding of proof. For example, the two topic sentences needed to prove the above thesis sentence might read:

a. "By committing suicide, Edna commits a paradoxical act of self-love because by ending her life, she is freeing her soul from the bonds of a misogynist culture."

b. "Just as her suicide frees her soul, it also frees her children from the shame they might feel and the scandal they would suffer by having a mother who lives according to her own conventions."

Notice how the above two topic sentences go far beyond plot summary. They directly address the two key parts of the thesis sentence. They demand proof as they are far from self evident and quite contentious. They also establish the structure of the body paragraph that will follow each topic sentence. In the first, the author of the essay must show citations showing Edna's concern with treating herself well (self-love), her self-described need to free her soul, and her awareness of the misogynist culture in which she lives.

In other words, the purpose of a topic sentence is to directly prove the thesis sentence by breaking the thesis down into its component parts, restating one part, and expanding on that part.

How do you test whether you have a real topic sentence or mere plot summary? Always look back to your thesis sentence and see if your topic sentence works to prove your thesis. If you're simply recalling something that occurred in the story that might serve as proof, you're putting the cart before the horse. Use that plot point to prove your topic sentence &emdash; don't use it in place of your topic sentence.

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