The thesis statement is the main idea of your paper. You want to cover your basic argument to let your readers know what you plan to argue. For a literary analysis, you should connect the main idea or theme of the work to a specific way the author shows it. For example, you might write, "In 1984, Orwell's use of imagery to establish a bleak and dreary world is key to bringing home his theme that totalitarianism is something to be avoided at all costs." How you organize your essay is up to you. One typical method is to go through the book in order, providing your evidence starting at the beginning of the book and moving towards the end.  Alternatively, it may make sense to you to begin with a historical introduction to the work to provide context. Another method is to present your most important part of the argument first and work down from there. Write down a Roman numeral for each main idea you want to cover in your essay, as well as your introduction and conclusion. Next to the Roman numeral, jot down that main idea in a shortened form. For instance, you might write:  I. Introduction II. Provide background information and historical context for 1984  III. Introduce the author's main theme IV. Establish how imagery helps create the theme V. Conclusion Under each Roman numeral, use letters and then Arabic numerals to go into more detail about what you want to cover in each section. You can be very specific or just cover the basics. However, the more specific you are, the easier it will be to write your essay. Your detailed outline might look something like this:  I. Introduction  A. Introduce work, including author, title, and date B. Thesis: In 1984, Orwell's use of imagery to establish a bleak and dreary world is key to bringing home his theme that totalitarianism is something to be avoided at all costs.   II. Provide background information and historical context for 1984  A. Discuss World War II B. Bring up Orwell's experiences in Spain  1. Experiences of fascism influenced work 2. Feared totalitarianism on the right and left   C. Coined phrase "cold war"   III. Introduce the author's main theme A. Warning against totalitarianism  1. Party in complete control 2. No privacy, even for thoughts 3. Orwell thought this was the logical conclusion of a complete totalitarianism    IV. Establish how imagery helps create the theme  A. Book begins with bleak, colorless imagery, sets up tone B. Description of urban decay creates a feeling of the world falling apart B. Contrasting imagery when Winston has experiences with Julia, re-establishes purpose of main imagery   V. Conclusion

Summary: Write a thesis statement. Organize your argument from start to finish. Set up your main ideas or paragraphs. Add the main points you want to cover in each paragraph.


Consider this if you have books ranging from trade paperbacks to oversize art albums. Place the tallest books on the lowest shelf, placing smaller and smaller books as you move upward. This creates a tidy, organized appearance. On some bookcases, this is a necessity to adapt to the height of each shelf. This system looks great, but are best used if you have only one bookcase. In larger collections, they can make a book difficult to find. In addition, you need to consider that you may have to split books from a series, when they do not have the same colour. Here are a few sorting systems based on spine color:  One color per shelf (a blue shelf, a green shelf, and so on). If you're having trouble filling a shelf, wrap some of the books in kraft paper.  A gradual "rainbow" flowing from one color to the next, or from the most saturated colors to pastels. A pattern that creates a flag or other simple image when the whole bookcase is filled. This is time-consuming, but impressive. This is a great system if you consult your books frequently for research or reference. Keep the ones you use daily on the shelf at eye height. and a couple shelves below, where you can easily see and reach them. Books you only use occasionally go on the lowest shelves. Books that you almost never open go on the shelves above your head. If you have enough books to fill two or three bookcases, fill the most visible bookcase with the important books. If you have an even larger collection, this system may not work well. If you have a large number of books you'd like to read, why not give them their own shelf? Keep an empty shelf on the same bookcase so you can slot the finished books back easily. You might want to revisit your organization once you're through your reading list, but this can be convenient in the meantime. Fill the top shelf with books you read in early childhood, and move down adding books in the rough order you discovered them. This one works best for books with strong associated memories – and for people with strong memories as well. No matter which system you chose, you have the option of leaving one special shelf. Usually the most visible one, this is where you keep your first editions, your signed copies, or the books that have changed your life.

Summary: Sort by size. Place books based on color. Arrange by frequency of use. Divide based on your reading plans. Create a chronology of your life. Reserve a shelf for your favorites.


Remind yourself that your wife is depressed, which can affect her thoughts, moods, feelings, and behaviors. She isn’t hostile, stupid, or out to get you; she is suffering. While it may be easier to fire back or react to your wife’s negativity, be patient with your wife. If your wife is expressing much negativity or going on about difficult things, patiently listen and be there for her. Say, “I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time.” While it’s important to empathize and be loving toward your wife during her depression, don’t be afraid to gently push her to get outside of the depression zone. Invite her to go to social functions, exercise, or do activities she enjoys.  If she is debating going to a meditation group or book club, encourage her to do so. If she’s on the fence about attending a family function, gently explain the benefits of going without pushing her to go. Offer to go with her as a support person to activities she may be interested in. You may not know how to respond to your wife or what you can do to help her. Don’t assume you know what to do to help; instead, ask her what she needs. She may need a hug, a break from chores or housework, or a good night’s sleep. Say, “I want to help you through this hard time. What can I do that can make your life easier?” Laughter is the enemy of depression. Find ways to laugh together, such as watching comedy movies or funny video clips. Draw on your sense of humor and share it with your wife. Do things to brighten your wife’s day, or do things you think may help her laugh (or at least smile). Attending therapy with your wife may be helpful in finding ways to cope together. If you’ve never experienced depression, family therapy can help you understand what it’s like to have depression and find ways to help support your wife. Attending therapy with your wife can encourage her to seek support and continue going to therapy to treat depression.
Summary: Be patient. Support her in pursuing activities. Ask how you can help. Find ways to laugh. Engage in family or couple’s therapy.