Essay Prompt and Examples
In a multi-paragraph essay that includes quotes to support your opinion, discuss the 3 stages Esperanza goes throug during this novella (1. insecure, 2. begins to gain confidence, 3. confident young woman capable of achieving her dreams).
Each body paragraph should include many things including a topic sentence, two concrete details, commentary, a transition, and a concluding sentence that transitions into the next paragraph. This is a similar but different formula to the Introduction Paragraph, and the Conclusion. One major difference that I had to learn was to not put any new information into the Conclusion Paragraph. I used to like to end my essays with a quote or statistic, but I now understand that I should always broaden the topic in the conclusion paragraph.
As we wrote this essay, I learned quite a bit about the formula for an essay. I had been writing essay mostly correctly in the past, but I was not aware of how I was doing it or how it was correct. I know now the correct way of writing an essay, and not only am I very aware of how I am doing it, but I understand why I have to do it. I have a lot of trouble with journal or essay writing because my mind is not very organized so I skip from one topic to another in no real order. I am especially grateful to have learned how to organize my thoughts so that my writing makes more sense.
As we wrote this essay, I learned quite a bit about the formula for an essay. I had been writing essay mostly correctly in the past, but I was not aware of how I was doing it or how it was correct. I know now the correct way of writing an essay, and not only am I very aware of how I am doing it, but I understand why I have to do it. I have a lot of trouble with journal or essay writing because my mind is not very organized so I skip from one topic to another in no real order. I am especially grateful to have learned how to organize my thoughts so that my writing makes more sense.
Introduction
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."-Eleanor Roosevelt. Despite the hardships in her life, Esperanza continues to hold fast to her dreams and pursues them. Esperanza is the main character and narrator of Sandra Cisneros novella "The House on Mango Street". The story revolves around Esperanza and her search for who she wants to become. It focuses on her difficult childhood in a Barrio and how she tries to overcome challenges presented to her by the community and the time period. Because of Esperanza's life experiences, she begins her novella insecure. But continues to gain confidence until she becomes a sef-sufficient young woman capable of achieving her dreams.
Body Paragraph #1
Esperanza begins the novella as an insecure young girl. Her insecurity is evident especially when she first moves to Mango Street. "If you give me five dollars, I will be your friend forever." (Cisneros 14) This quote is a prime example of Esperanza's insecurity. She is willing to pay five dollars to have friends even though real friends would not ask her for money in order to become her friend. However, this is no tthe only example where Esperanza acts insecure. For example, she says "And then I don't know why but I have to turn around and pretend that I don't care about the box so Nenny won't see how stupid I am" (Cisneros 20) This quote shows Esperanza's insecurity because she does not normally care what her younger sister thinks but she does in this moment. These quotes prove that she begins the book as an insecure child. Ezperanza begins the book insecure, but she begins to gain confidence throughout the book.
Body Paragraph #2
As Esperanza moves through the book, she begins to grow more confident. Esperanza says "All night he watches me dance. He watched me dance." (Cisneros 48) This quote is an example of a reason that Esperanza is becoming more confident; boys are noticing her. Esperanza's self esteem is much higher because of the boys who like her and so she begins to gain confidence. However, this is not the only example of Esperanza gaining confidence. While watching a movie, Esperanza comments that she wants to be the woman who all the boys love but she just leads them on. She explains "Her power is her own. She will not give it away." (Cisneros 89) Esperanza is becoming the person she most wants to be. She dreams of becoming a strong, independent woman. She is already becoming more independent and strong during the middle of the novella. Although she grows quite significantly during the book, it is at the end that her true strength emerges.