If you’re writing a descriptive essay, use sensory imagery so the reader can see what you see and feel how you feel. [2] X Expert Source Jake AdamsAcademic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 20 May 2020. Don’t write something like, “It seems like colors and lights in Gatsby mean important things. ” Instead, try saying, “In Chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby, we again read about the green light on the end of Gatsby’s dock. This green light is a symbol of his hopes and dreams. ”
If you want to use wildfires in California as an example of damage from climate change, you could write something like, “The devastating fire season in 2020 indicates that the damage from climate change is increasing. One example that illustrates this is the fact that fires were more frequent than in past years. "
You could discuss 3 different times that the green light was mentioned in Gatsby and analyze each one.
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Make sure to introduce or conclude your quote. For instance, write, “As Baker explains, ‘Wildfires have increased significantly during the past year. " Or, “‘Wildfires have increased significantly during the past year,’ according to Baker. " Whether you use parenthetical documentation or endnotes or footnotes depends on which citation style you use. Ask your instructor for tips if you’re not sure how to cite materials.
For example, if you are trying to describe the Valley of Ashes in Gatsby, you could use a quote from the author’s description to help illustrate your point. You might write, “In Chapter 2, Fitzgerald paints the picture he wants the reader to see by saying, ‘This is a Valley of Ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens. . . ‘” Just make sure to cite any direct quotes or facts.
Maybe you are reading a journal article about symbolism in The Great Gatsby and want to discuss an example from that article. You could write something like, “As Baker notes in her analysis, the green light is used most effectively in Chapter 4. She points out that it is here that readers truly begin to understand the significance of this symbol in the novel. ”
For example, you could write something like, “It’s clear that voter registration in Nebraska has increased since 2016. In that year, 200,000 new voters registered, compared to 275,000 new voters in 2020. This is an example of how more people are engaging in voting. ” Make sure to cite any data that you use.
Make sure to direct your reader to the figure and explain what you want them to see. Write something like, “Note the graph in Figure 4. It shows that the increase in voter turnout was significant in elections this year. " Don’t forget to cite the source of your figures.
