Mekonnen 1

Eden Mekonnen
de Rubertis
H English 9A
12/20/2023
Kindred Essay Outline
Please make a copy of this document and put it in MLA format. You must print this once it
is completed, so you can bring it in to use on the day of the final exam. Take note of where
it says DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR THE OUTLINE. You must not
prewrite anything in the spaces that say that. You must write that information in your
essay only. I will have to take your outline away if you write more than you are supposed
to on the outline. NB: For an in-class essay, if you choose to write a four-paragraph essay, you
need three quotes per body paragraph. If you choose to write a five-paragraph essay, you only
need two quotes per body paragraph.

Your essay will be on a separate piece of paper that I give you. You must write it in MLA
format. You do not have to worry about the margins or the font.

Theme Statement Chosen: People can adapt and be influenced by something very easily, no
matter how bad it is when they are constantly surrounded by it.

I. Introduction
Hook: Provide a general statement about life or humanity that connects with the theme you are
going to discuss. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR THE OUTLINE
BS: Provide a two-sentence summary of the plot of Kindred, making sure to acknowledge the
genre, the author, and a key theme that the novel deals with that you plan on discussing in your
essay. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR THE OUTLINE
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Thesis: In Kindred, Octavia Butler uses literary devices such as Irony, Character
Development, and symbols to illustrate the theme People can adapt and be influenced by
something very easily, no matter how bad it is when they are constantly surrounded by it.
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II. Body Paragraph 1: Topic Sentence 1: What is the first argument you will make to help
support your thesis?

Contrary to one’s belief, sometimes there is no choice but to adapt/accept and try to fit in
the environment, even if it means being subjected to violence or mistreatment, which makes
the situation ironic.
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 Mekonnen 2

a. What piece of evidence will help support this topic sentence? Please provide textual
evidence with correct parenthetical citations. For the essay, the quote must be embedded
in YOUR sentence

Dana is reminiscing about her younger days and how she, “Was working out of a casual
labor agency—we regulars called it a slave market. Actually, it was just the opposite of
slavery. The people who ran it couldn't have cared less whether or not you showed up to do
the work they offered. - 54

b. How will this evidence support this topic sentence? Your analysis of the evidence and
how it supports your Topic Sentence 1. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR
THE OUTLINE

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c. What is another piece of evidence to help support this topic sentence? Please provide
textual evidence with correct parenthetical citations. For the essay, the quote must be
embedded in YOUR sentence.
Dana has been a slave for a while and is in a daily routine. She “ Went out to the laundry
yard to help Tess. I had come to almost welcome the hard work” - 162
d. How will this evidence support this topic sentence? Your analysis of the evidence and
how it supports your Topic Sentence 1. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR
THE OUTLINE

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III. Body Paragraph 2: Topic Sentence 2: What is the second argument you will make to help
support your thesis?
There is no choice but to change one's character to fit in a harsh environment in
order to survive.
a. What piece of evidence will help support this topic sentence? Please provide textual
evidence with correct parenthetical citations. For the essay, the quote must be embedded
in YOUR sentence.
Kevin and Dana are adapting and fitting in as, “Time passed. Kevin and I became
more a part of the household, familiar, accepted, accepting. - 97
b. How will this evidence support this topic sentence? Your analysis of the evidence and
how it supports your Topic Sentence 2. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR
THE OUTLINE
c. What is another piece of evidence to help support this topic sentence? Please provide
textual evidence with correct parenthetical citations. For the essay, the quote must be
embedded in YOUR sentence.
 Mekonnen 3

Sarah has given up as, “She had done the safe thing and accepted a life of slavery because
she was afraid. - 145
d. How will this evidence support this topic sentence? Your analysis of the evidence and
how it supports your Topic Sentence 2. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR
THE OUTLINE
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IV. Body Paragraph 3: Topic Sentence 3: What is the second argument you will make to help
support your thesis?
Symbols can be significant tools for adapting oneself to an environment because they can
be used to reveal power against or for a targeted group.
a. What piece of evidence will help support this topic sentence? Please provide textual
evidence with correct parenthetical citations. For the essay, the quote must be embedded
in YOUR sentence.
“I did believe him. I wasn’t even as surprised as I should have been. I had already accepted
the fact that I had moved through time. Now I knew I was farther from home than I had
thought. And Now I knew why Rufus’s father used his whip on “niggers” as well as
horses.” - 27
b. How will this evidence support this topic sentence? Your analysis of the evidence and
how it supports your Topic Sentence 3. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR
THE OUTLINE
c. What is another piece of evidence to help support this topic sentence? Please provide
textual evidence with correct parenthetical citations. For the essay, the quote must be
embedded in YOUR sentence.
Dana is forced to burn the map but, “So I told myself the map was more a symbol than a
necessity anyway. If I had to go, I knew how to follow the North Star at night.” - 143
d. How will this evidence support this topic sentence? Your analysis of the evidence and
how it supports your Topic Sentence 3. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR
THE OUTLINE
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V. Conclusion
a. Restate your thesis is different words
Individuals have the ability to adjust and be impacted by anything with ease, even if it is
harmful, as long as they are exposed to it consistently.
b. Go over the main points of your Body Paragraphs DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING
HERE FOR THE OUTLINE
c. Leave your reader with something to think about. Might connect back to the hook. DO
NOT WRITE ANYTHING HERE FOR THE OUTLINE