In your essay, be sure to

• Craft a clear, arguable thesis that takes a stance on the role of the supernatural in the narrative.
• Incorporate textual evidence (direct quotations and paraphrasing) to back up your claims.
• Analyze how Irving employs characterization, setting, and tone to strengthen your argument.
• Address a counterargument: consider how some readers might see the Horseman as a true supernatural entity, and explain why your interpretation is more persuasive.
• Conclude by reflecting on what Irving's use of the supernatural reveals about human nature or American society in the 19th century.

Scoring Focus

Thesis strength · Use of evidence · Literary analysis · Counterargument · Organization & style

In your essay, be sure to:

• Analyze how the eerie, dreamlike setting of Sleepy Hollow serves more than just as a backdrop — argue that it actively influences character behavior and plot developments.
• Examine Ichabod Crane's superstitious tendencies and how his belief in the supernatural ultimately contributes to his downfall (or his departure).
• Discuss the story's intentionally ambiguous ending and what it implies about the connection between myth, fear, and human naivety.
• Support your argument with specific textual evidence and literary analysis.

Tip

Think about whether Irving is mocking Ichabod, feeling sympathy for him, or doing a bit of both — and how that authorial tone influences the story's main argument.