ISU Essay Outline

Introduction
Topic
The novels, Crash by Lisa McMann, and Fahrenheit 451 written by Ray Bradbury, both have a
strong theme of ambition throughout the novels.
1​st​ Argument
Both want to tell someone something to make a change in their life
2​nd​ Argument
Want to change someone’s thinking, good use of ambition
rd​
3​ Argument
Both are influenced by someone, make them want to make a move

Thesis
Both novels convey that ambition is the first step to achieving what you think is right. Through
similar situations, the main characters show how ambition impacts their decision to act. This is
significant because readers can relate to how the main character make decision based on their
ambition to how people make decisions in reality.
​First Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
Both main characters, Montag and Jules, want to make a change in their life, but to do so, they
need to tell someone about it.
Context and Proof
Montag shows ambition when he is seeking out for Faber for guidance. On his way to Faber’s
house he says,
“The numbness will go away, he thought. It’ll take time, but I’ll do it, or Faber will do it for
me”(Bradbury 74).
Montag says that he has been numb to everything going around him. He makes a bold move to
see Faber with a bible on him because he is determined to change the meaningless life he is
living.

Significance
The outcome of Montag’s action to follow his ambition is positive because Faber decides to help
him. When someone makes a bold move, like asking for help on a topic you are not very
comfortable, you never know the outcome; could go very well or very bad.
Transition
Similarly,
Context and Proof
In the novel, Crash, Jules shows ambition when she is debating on telling Sawyer about her
visions. “​I feel my throat tighten and burn as tears run my cheeks. I sit outside Angotti's and try
to give myself a pep talk. I need to do this. What the worst thing that could happen if I go inside
and talk to Sawyer? (McMann 70).
 Because of her family’s pizza rivalry, ​She is risking her and Sawyer’s life by deciding to confront
him about her visions. But she is ambitious to know more about her visions and seek help from
him.
Significance
This is significant to readers because sometimes when people are making life-changing decision,
your feelings of doubt and ambition collide, making it hard for you to make the right decision.
Conclusion
Both characters were ambitious to learn more about their secrets, so they went with their gut
feeling without knowing the possible outcomes.

Second Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence
Montag and Jules realize that they cannot live the way they are right now forever. Upon
realizing this, they want to tell others too and change their way of thinking.
Context and Proof
Mildred wants to change Mildred and her friends’ thinking of literature. He does this by reading
them a poem: “‘What good is this, what’ll you prove!’ ‘Scare hell out of them, that’s what, scare
the living daylights out!’” (Bradbury 95). In this quote, Faber warns him that what he is about to
do will ruin their entire plan. But, Montag is determined to make them think that there is
something more to what they are missing out on. He risks his life to show them that the poem
means something deep. Without ambition, he would also be living like all the others do.
Significance
This is significant because at some point in our life, we are so full of ambition that we do not
care about the consequences. We base our decision solely upon what we think is right, without
thinking ahead, even if you think it is a good decision.
Transition
Likewise,
Context and Proof
Jules wants to change Sawyer’s judgement on her visions. “‘Why are you telling me all this
nonsense? Do you honestly think I would fall for this?’” (McMann 161). Sawyer doesn’t believe
that Jules is telling the truth about her visions and that they involve him dying. He thinks it is just
an excuse for her to talk to him, even when Jules insists they are real. Jules made a very hard
decision by telling him, but he ended up not believing her.
Significance
This is significant to the readers because sometimes in life, when you make a bold decision, it
does not always go as planned.
Conclusion

​Third Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence
Both characters are greatly impacted through a conversation with someone. This makes them
think deeply about their situation and ignites their ambition to make a move.
Context and Proof
 Montag encounters an unusual seventeen year old, Clarisse, and she asks him questions that
later make him think about them. In one of his conversations, Clarisse says “​You laugh when I
haven't been funny and you answer right off. You never stop to think what I've asked you”
(Bradbury 6). Montag is told what to think and believe, just like the rest of the society. Clarisse
strikes Montag’s ambition/ He wants to live his life like she does; real conversations with family,
late night walks, think about the “why” instead of the “how”. Her curiosity and questioning
empowers his ambition to find out more about himself.
Significance
This is significant because at times, we just need someone to make us realize the deeper
meaning of something. For example, In Montag’s case, the deeper meaning of how to live life,
and what is happiness.
Transition
On the other hand,
Context and Proof
Jules’ ambition is her psychology teacher, Mrs. Dayton. Jules and Mrs. Dayton have a good
relationship and she trusts that she can talk to her about her recurring visions and what they
mean. Mrs. Dayton asks her “Have you ever considered what would happen, if they were real?”
(McMann 64). The possibility of the visions is terrifying and makes Jules ambitious to find out
more about them. She had never thought about them as something that could actually happen,
just merely imaginations.
Significance
This is also significant because in order to make an important decision, we usually look for other
people’s opinion or idea, and that might be all we need to decide.
Conclusion