Hugo Cabret Essay Outlines

Students may use these templates and guidelines for writing their five paragraph essays on Hugo Cabret.

Introduction: You may use the following frame for your introduction paragraph or you may write your own.

   The sound of clicking heels. A battered automaton. Movies. These are three of the many motifs author Bryan Selznick employs in his novel,  The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Selznick utilizes motifs, or repeated story elements, to develop characters, advance the plot, and highlight themes. In the novel, (students add 2-3 sentences explaining the basic plot). Three key motifs in the story are ________________, _________________, and _________________.


Body Paragraphs:  Follow this outline to write seven sentence body paragraphs.

1. Transition word and introduce the motif.
2. Explain how the motif is used.  Does it show character, plot or the book's message?
3. Set up the quote. What's going on in the story at that moment?
4. Quote (put the page number of the quote in parenthesis.)
5. Explain the importance of the quote. What it shows about the motif and how that motif shows character, plot or the message of the book. 
6. Continue explaining the importance of the quote.
7. Finish explaining the importance of the quote.

Conclusion paragraph:  You may use the following frame to write your conclusion or you may write your own.

     In conclusion, Selznick skillfully uses motifs to _______________, ________________ and ______________ in his novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  Of the many motifs he uses __________, __________________, and ______________ are crucial in gaining a deeper understanding of the story.  Just as cogs and wheels bring the automaton to life, Selznick uses motifs _______________________________________________.

Please see me in person if you have any questions. 


Type your essay in MLA format. 

Proofread it for each of the following items:

• MLA format heading, spacing and font.
• Capital letters: 1st word of each sentence, all names, the title, I.
• Period (space) Next word.  Be sure to put a space or two after every period, question mark and exclamation point.
• Transition words. Use at least two per paragraph. See the lists in your English journal.
• Quote sandwiches.  Use on per body paragraph.
• use " " around the quote.
• set the quote off with commas.
• write three sentences after the quote explaining what it shows.