Hornby Essay and Instructions

Here's a link to Nick Hornby's Essay,

Oh, My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams

Hornby Essay Instructions:

Today, you’re going to begin a draft of an essay that combines anecdotes, allusions, and personal observations in order to draw a conclusion about life. We’re going to use the Nick Hornby essay “Oh, My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams” as a model.  We will work on this essay in class, following a step by step approach.  In order to move on to the next step, what you do not complete in class must be finished for homework.

Step 1: Choose a theme

The purpose of this essay is to employ credible allusions to support a conclusion drawn on personal experience.   In order to do this, you must first brainstorm a list of moments in your life where you learned a lesson or had an epiphany.  Then, connect that experience to one of the themes discussed in Beowulf, King Arthur, Dover Beach or the Warrior Psyche article.  A list of possible themes will be provided for your consideration.

Step 2: Introduce your experience

Here’s how to structure your essay, beginning with the first paragraph:

·        In this intro paragraph, present an informal anecdote that reveals your INITIAL reaction to a personal experience.  Nick Hornby does this in his first paragraph by introducing his friend Edward and describing the interactions and outcomes of his meetings with Edward.  These interactions occurred at a time when Edward was horribly depressed. If needed, re-read the first section of the essay. 

·        Notice Hornby’s use of the colon ( : ) and of the dash ( - ).  Please employ each of these mechanical devices appropriately in your draft.

Step 3: The "But" statement

In the next section of your essay, continue your observation by making contradiction to your initial observation  - this is where you turn away from your first paragraph and reveal how the experience shifted from what you thought initially and the actuality of the situation.  This will set up your third paragraph and allow you to then explore your initial reaction on a deeper level.  Here’s how to set up the second section:

• In this section, you transition away from your initial reaction, recorded in your 1^st section by using a “But” statement to finish reporting your personal experience. DO NOT offer analysis.  Refer to Hornby’s second paragraph for further understanding. 
• In this paragraph, you must employ a parenthetical aside to reveal additional insight to your reader. Notice Hornby’s use of a parenthetical aside – this is your “Saved by the Bell”, moment.  (Think of Zach Morris on Saved by the Bell talking to the camera)

 Step 4: Less in More: The Bold, Concise Thesis Statement

Ok, the third paragraph is crucial.  The first sentence of your third section is your thesis statement. It should be a powerful generalization; summarize what you learned from this experience in one short, concise sentence. Hornby’s thesis is the first sentence of the 3^rd paragraph – model a similar one. 

• Make sure it is BOLD, DECLARATIVE, and SUMMARIZES the main idea of your anecdote. 

• This is your epiphany – your “Oprah light bulb moment”, so be strong but DO NOT use the first person – notice that Hornby doesn’t and the result is powerful.

Step 5: Paragraph 3, Take II

The next part of the 3^rd section is the only tricky part, so pay attention: 

• In this section, you must employ at least TWO allusions/direct citations to support your epiphany and further your anecdote’s message.  The first allusion/direct citation must connect to the main idea of the first paragraph and the second allusion must make a connection to the main idea of the second section:

Examples:

A. In the Hornby essay, the main idea of the first section is Miserable Edward = deep and meaningful Edward. The first allusion is to Ryan Adam’s album Heartbreaker and its song Oh My Sweet Carolina, which is, as Hornby states, the deep and meaningful product of misery. See how the two connect?

B. The main idea of the second paragraph is Happy Edward = boring, average Edward. The second allusion is to Adam’s album Gold, which is, Hornby states, upbeat but common and nothing special.  See the connection?

NOTE: both of your allusions must be taken from the aforementioned studied class materials.  Remember DO NOT retell the story of the outside source; instead, use it to further your thoughts.

NOTE: Hornby uses parenthetical asides in this section to add insight and more importantly, to bring down the tone a notch to make his important statement accessible to more readers – his “asides” remind the reader that he’s just a regular guy with opinions and biases.  You want to do the same.

Step 6: Wrap it Up!

In the final section of the essay, come to a conclusion about what, upon reflection, you realize about your experience by taking your epiphany a step further.  Tell the reader what you really think about your thesis topic – perhaps it’s something like what guilt can do to a person’s life, how excessive pride and ambition are actually worthy qualities, how bitterness toward others is actually the worst form of subjectivity.  Do that and then wrap up the section with your Jerry Springer “final thought”.  See Hornby’s conclusion.