Suggestions for the Grendel Essay

So. You have to write an essay about Grendel. And then I have to grade it.

Make no mistake, gentle reader-writer, we are both in this thing together.

Allow me to provide you with a small list of suggestions. Tips to consider. Some of them are things to do; some of them are things to avoid. This list is not so much my personal preferences for how you should write this essay, but rather, data gathered from past essays.

For your consideration:

1. It's spelled G-R-E-N-D-E-L. Do not deviate.

2. John Gardner is the author of the book, not a character in it. So, avoid constructions that go like this: When Gardner says... or What Gardner is actually saying is...

3. Instead of those examples from #2, just try to discuss THEME, which causes you to use constructions more like this: With this dialogue, therefore, Gardner suggests... or These details imply [enter theme here]...

4. Grendel is the nihilist.

5. Albeit, not a very good one.

6. Beowulf is not. (Remember the walls, the hardness of walls? Sing of walls and know that Beowulf is not a nihilist.)

7. #4-#6 are non-negotiable. Because accuracy counts. Personal opinions do not.

8.  Do not generalize. There is no space for it. Your passage needs to be addressed. Specifically and exhaustively.

9. Your passage lives in a context. Be sure to build that context. Referring to important details elsewhere may be important, so long as those details are specific and you connect them to your ideas.

10. Respect your details. Remember, one point of analysis cannot contradict another point in your essay. Likewise, one idea that lives in your passage should not contradict another idea found elsewhere in the novel.

11. Quote often. And then be sure to elaborate on the text in the quote. Example: If you are going to quote Grendel observing that "Beowulf was insane" but then proceed to elaborate and never directly address the word "insane," then you must go back and revise. "Insane" seems like an important word. Treat it like one. Talk about the connotations, tone, and speaker's point of view. Then connect it to a theme. If you can do this, you are on your way to an A.

12. Edit, edit, edit. Remember, grammar matters. Many, many students submit papers with A content but C grammar and mechanics. That equals to somewhere in B-land.

Good luck. No accidents.