The function and importance of letters in Pride and Prejudice.

Research Essay Topics
Choose just one of the following topics:

1. Discuss the function and importance of letters in Pride and Prejudice.
2. Does Pride and Prejudice reinforce or erode sexist stereotypes of women?
3. “Time and space are small in Pride and Prejudice.” Discuss the significance of critic Dorothy Van Ghent’s comment on the novel’s setting.

Instructions
Your essay should have three parts: an introductory paragraph, a body containing fully developed paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. Following is a general guide for what to include in each section of your essay.

In your introductory paragraph:

• Introduce Pride and Prejudice and its author.
• Identify clearly your essay topic.
• Include a strong thesis statement on the topic.
• Forecast the main stages of your analysis.

In your analysis in the body of your essay:

• Make effective use of topic sentences to identify the main ideas of your analysis.
• Support your comments with evidence (paraphrase and direct quotations) from the novel.
• Explain the significance of each piece of evidence you present as it relates to your thesis.
• Identify the sources of all your quotations with parenthetical in-text citations.
• Contribute to your reader’s understanding of the novel as a whole.

In your concluding paragraph:

• Summarize the main stages of your analysis.
• Restate your thesis in different words.

Sample Solution