Examples of Evidence and Reasoning

Good

After the death of his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen on Tatooine, young Skywalker is devastated.  “’I want to be a Jedi, like my father,’ Luke proclaimed to Obiwan,” (45).  This demonstrates the most prominent theme which is personal agency.  In basically stating that he wants to follow in daddy’s footsteps, Luke assumes control of his own life and destiny.

Better

In the chapter where Little Red Riding Hood enters Grandmother’s woodland cottage, she spies the Big Bad Wolf in drag.  “She gazed upon what she took to be her grandmother only to be shocked at her strange appearance,” (25).  In other words, Red was looking at her grammy (who was the Big Bad Wolf in cognito) and judged her by her external features as to being rather odd.  This demonstrates the theme of judging by appearances.  Were this not the case, Red Riding Hood wouldn’t have ever stated the famous lines about what big teeth he had.  The most memorable part of the story would have been lost!   Therefore, Red’s act of recognizing something was not quite right with grandma proves the theme is about judging one’s looks because it sets up the most famous quote from the famous fairy tale.

Best

During the tumultuous climactic scene where Anna chases after Elsa through the snow storm in the harbor, she must decide:  “Anna reacted, seeing in front of her Hans menacingly unsheathing a sword behind Elsa, who was kneeling on the ice unaware.  Behind her, she made out Olaf sprinting towards her riding Sven, ready for her true love’s kiss.  Without hesitation, she made her choice and rushed to defend her sister with her own life,” (145).  What this simply means is that Anna thinks that the only way to be cured of the frozen heart is to lip lock with Olaf.  And yet, because she loves her sister she would rather die protecting someone she loves than live without her last remaining family.  This not only plays against the Disney cliché of the girl being saved by the prince with a kiss, but also speaks to female empowerment and sisterly solidarity.  To put it another way, in saving her sister she saves herself without being dependent upon mister “tall dark and handsome” to rescue her.  This resonates with the audience because of the theme of sisterhood.  Because Anna chose to save Elsa over herself the theme is clear.