EN190 Final Essay - Checklist

Sep 22, 2026

EN190 final essay checklist outlines academic expectations for analyzing a novel through an arguable thesis rather than plot summary. It specifies MLA formatting with abstract and keywords, including page layout rules, margins, spacing, font, emphasis conventions, and citation practices using in-text parenthetical citations plus a Works Cited section. The checklist also requires a set length, incorporation of two scholarly sources, required portfolio elements, peer evaluations, a self-assessment form, and submission deadlines and labeling instructions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Expectations for this assignment

Workshop requirements and submission

MLA essay format

Abstract and keywords

Voice and tone

Essay structure

Incorporating scholarly sources

Integrating quotations

1 EN190 Final Essay – CHECKLIST EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT 􀀄 Provide engaging analysis (incl. an arguable thesis, not a summary) of the novel 􀀄 Write 1200-1400 words, not counting a Works Cited or Abstract (about 150w) 􀀄 Use MLA Essay Format plus Abstract (and Keywords) 􀀄 Use MLA in-text parenthetical citations and a Works Cited section 􀀄 Incorporate two scholarly sources WORKSHOP (see Literary Analysis docs in the Assignment Guidelines folder) 􀀄 2 Peer Evaluations by students from this class (1%) 􀀄 1 Self-Assessment Form (1%) 􀀄 1 Cover Letter (1%) 􀀄 Rough copy SUBMISSION 􀀄 Upload each doc to the Final Portfolio Dropbox by 11:59 pm on the due date. 􀀄 Label each file. 􀀄 If you revise and resubmit for any reason, just ensure that the final copy is labelled. 􀀄 Late submissions are docked 3% a day. If you miss the 11:59 pm cut-off, you have until the next night at 11:59 pm to submit before losing another 3% . MLA ESSAY FORMAT (see the MLA Essay Template in the MLA folder) 􀀄 Don’t use a separate title page. 􀀄 Include your identifying info in the top-left corner of page 1. 􀀄 Add a header with your last name and page number in the top-right corner of the page. 􀀄 Use 1-inch margins and double space throughout (no extra space between paragraphs) . 􀀄 Use 12-pt standard font (TNR, Arial, Calibri, etc. ) If you copy-and-paste quotations from your source, choose “Unformatted” when you paste so that you don’t carry over inconsistent font size, style, or even font (grey, black, etc. ) . 􀀄 Don’t italicize, bold, or underline for emphasis. Communicate the strength of your ideas by word choice, not font style. 􀀄 Italicize titles of long works, such as books, journals, TV series, films, etc. 􀀄 Put titles of short works, such as short stories, journal articles, or TV episodes, etc. in quotation marks. ABSTRACT 􀀄 MLA doesn’t require an Abstract, but it is part of your Essay Assignment because it’s an important part of academic writing. Most journal articles begin with an Abstract. 􀀄 Placement: For our purposes, begin with the standard MLA first page. After you’ve written your identifying info, hit Return twice. Then write your title (Abstract), centred, without bold or underlining. Press Return twice, indent once, and begin your Abstract. 2 􀀄 Once you’re done, hit Return twice and centre your essay title (again, no underlining or bolding) . Italicize the title of the novel if it’s part of your title. Hit Return twice, indent once, and begin your essay. 􀀄 Type “Keywords:” and add 5 or more keywords or phrases to the bottom of your Abstract. VOICE/TONE 􀀄 Use 3rd-person POV and a formal, academic tone (he, she, they, one, the reader) . 􀀄 Avoid slang, clichés, colloquialisms, and sayings. If someone reads your essay 50 years from now, will she get your historical and popular references? 􀀄 Avoid phrases such as “In this day and age,” “In the old days,” or even “Today,” etc. If you are analyzing a book of fiction, avoid comparing it to “today’s society.” Remember that your purpose is to analyze a work of art, not to use it as a jumping-off point to refer to“real life.” 􀀄 Avoid casual/conversational speech (I, you, we) . Don’t address the reader. 􀀄 Avoid asking questions that may set your reader onto a train of thought that you don’tintend. Instead, re-word your question into a statement. Tell your reader what to think. ESSAY STRUCTURE 􀀄 Using standard essay format (intro, body, conclusion) doesn’t mean you can’t use more than 3 body paragraphs. Separate points into paragraphs as you see fit. 􀀄 Your thesis should include an arguable claim plus specific points. 􀀄 A topic sentence is an “umbrella” that “covers” the ideas discussed in the paragraph. It should include a point of argument, not a point of fact, description, or summary. It may include a connection to your overall claim. 􀀄 A body paragraph should contain a complex topic sentence, background/context/term,

FAQs

What is the core requirement of the EN190 final essay analysis?

The essay must provide engaging analysis with an arguable thesis about the novel, not a plot summary.

Which formatting system and citation style are required?

The essay must use MLA essay format with MLA in-text parenthetical citations and a Works Cited section, plus an Abstract and Keywords.

What sources must be included?

The essay must incorporate two scholarly sources, preferably from peer-reviewed journals or academic books, and they should relate to the novel or the approach/theory.

Sep 22, 2026

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