Return to Week At A Glance
created by L. Lopez, 9/17/06
ESSAY PARTS CHART
ESSAY PART
 LOCATION IN ESSAY
 PURPOSE
 EXAMPLE
Broad General Statement About the Essay Topic
 First sentence of introduction
 gets the audience thinking about the topic
                                                                                                                                                          
Thesis Statement
 Last sentence of the introduction
 the point - what you are going to prove in the essay
Topic Sentences
 First sentence of body paragraphs
 tells what the body paragraph is about (the aspect of the thesis to be developed)
Quotations from the Text
 Throughout body paragraphs
 add strength to your argument
Transitional Phrases
 Throughout entire essay
 add unity to and logical progression between thoughts
Summarizing Sentences
 Last sentence of body paragraphs
 sums up the purpose of the bosy paragraph
Clincher
 Last sentence of the essay
 sums up the purpose of the essay


ESSAY QUESTION:
Some works of literature, although intended to instruct children, present distorted views of reality that some feel could negatively affect children.  Choose two children’s stories, and in a well-developed four paragraph essay, state your opinion about the negative influences of fairy tales on children.  For each work, identify the questionable material, and explain why it is or is not inappropriate for children.
The Danger of Fairy Tales

    Some works of literature, although intended to instruct children, contain distorted views of reality that some feel could negatively influence children.  Two fairy tales from the famous Grimm brothers, “Cinderella” and “Snow White,” have been read to children for ages.  However, these seemingly harmless stories send a dangerous message to children.  Both works negatively influence children in terms of stepfamilies and the importance of physical beauty.

    After reading “Cinderella,” a child may have a distorted view of stepfamilies.  First of all, this tale depicts them as grotesque, selfish, diabolical people.  For example, the stepmother is referred to as “wicked,” and Cinderella’s new sisters are called the “ugly,” “evil,” and jealous” stepsisters.  Also, these stepsisters show no regard for Cinderella’s happiness; in fact, they lie to try to steal her prince.  This shows a child that stepfamilies are cruel and will only try to hurt them.  It may cause children to have more angst than necessary if a remarriage were to occur in their own families.  Obviously, this fairy tale harms children.

    Secondly, “Snow White” is a work that shows children that physical beauty is a very important part of life.  Everyone is consumed with physical beauty in this fairy tale.  The Queen’s constantly spends her time in front of the mirror asking, “who’s the fairest of them all?”  Furthermore, the strange looking dwarves cannot awaken the “beautiful Snow White;” rather, she needs a “handsome prince on a magnificent [looking] steed” to save her.  This teaches children that physical beauty is all-important and can give one person special powers over others.  These are shallow values to instill in children.

    Clearly, fairy tales designed to teach children may backfire, negatively influencing them instead.  Both “Cinderella” and “Snow White” present a distorted view of reality that could harm children with their depictions of cruel stepfamilies and the importance of beauty.  Children's stories should make children feel good about themselves and others, not make them feel distrustful and unconfident.
325 words