Conventions of Composition Rule 202

Rule: When you write about a novel or play, the only references to its being a novel or play should come in your citations. In the body of your writing, write about what happens in the story (the context) rather than about the book or play (the form). The only exception to this rule is if the prompt asks you to explain the importance of the form or something specific about the form (a piece of flash fiction, chapter titles in a book, a sonnet, etc.) in making meaning.

Examples:

Wrong: In Act I, Macbeth says, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly." 

Okay: Macbeth doesn't like waiting around to kill King Duncan. He says, "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly" (I.vii.1-2). 

BEST: Macbeth doesn't like waiting around to kill King Duncan and admits that if the murder “were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly" (I.vii.1-2).

Wrong: On page 161, Huck Finn says, "It was a close place."

Okay: When Huck struggles with his decision about Jim, he says, "It was a close place" (161).

BEST: Huck acknowledges that his decision about Jim is “a close place” (161).

Wrong: In the novel, Nick tries to reserve judgment.

Better: Nick tries to take the advice of his father to reserve judgment.

Wrong: Early in the book, Buttercup becomes the most beautiful woman in the world.

Better: After she learns of Westley's death, Buttercup becomes the most beautiful woman in the world.

Wrong: In Act III, Orlando carves Rosalind's name on every tree he can find.

Better: To express his new love for her, Orlando carves his name on every tree he can find. (III.ii.5-10)

Wrong: In chapter four, Holden talks about Stradlater and Jean Gallagher.

Better: After Holden leaves Ackley, he talks about Stradlater and Jean Gallagher.

Practice rewriting the following sentences to provide context references rather than book/page references:

1. Marie-Laure and Werner don't meet each other until late in the novel.

2. In the first four chapters, we learn more about Telemachus than about Odysseus.

3. Janie tells her story to her friend Phoeby in the first and last parts of the book.

Resources for further explanation of how to refer to texts in essays:

The Writing Center at Harvard University's Beginning the Academic Essay

Wiki How's Putting a Quote into an Essay