My topic for your essay: The Cast of Amontillado
Complete a brainstorm for your essay
Annotating the story/stories
QUESTION 1
Write a 150-word paragraph explaining which story(ies) you selected to analyze and why. Be sure to include the title of the literary work as well as the author’s name and what elements stood out to you in the story(ies) that you selected.
Consider the following elements: Characterization (Consider names, actions, descriptions, major/minor, protagonist/antagonist), Setting (where the plot occurs, evokes a mood, scary, peaceful, dark, bright; many setting elements can be symbolic), Point of view (Narrator of the story; first person, third person — objective, limited, omniscient, limited-omniscient); Symbolism, Style, Tone, Irony (ways that the author arranges words to get an effect; diction of the words — formal or casual vocabulary) Theme (underlying meaning when all elements are considered together); Use of other figurative language (satire, metaphor, simile)
QUESTION 2
Based on the support that you have considered in the previous question, what might be your three-point/part thesis statement?
Example template to use: In the (Name of Literary work) ___, ____, and ____ help to develop the theme of _____.
Three-point thesis statement video
Example: In the short story “The Lottery”, the symbolism of historically American family names like Hutchinson, the casual attire of small-town citizens socializing on a sunny day, and the characterization of Old Man Warner who harps on the “good ole days” cause the reader to question the foundation of all social structures once considered “safe” and unassailable.)
Consider the following elements when composing your thesis statement:
Characterization (Consider names, actions, descriptions, major/minor, protagonist/antagonist), Setting (where the plot occurs, evokes a mood, scary, peaceful, dark, bright; many setting elements can be symbolic), Point of view (Narrator of the story; first person, third person — objective, limited, omniscient, limited-omniscient); Symbolism, Style, Tone, Irony (ways that the author arranges words to get an effect; diction of the words — formal or casual vocabulary) Theme (underlying meaning when all elements are considered together); Use of other figurative language (satire, metaphor, simile)
QUESTION 3
What will be your hook ideas leading into your thesis statement? (Consider background information from the author’s life, similarities to other works, overall strengths of the work, historical setting, etc. Also, be sure to cite any information taken from a source.)
QUESTION 4
In at least 150-words, discuss what you will include in your first body paragraph to prove your first thesis statement point to support the literary theme? Use at least 3 specific examples from the play(s) to incorporate into your response. You may also incorporate research information.
Consider looking for the deeper meaning by using the following:
Characterization (Consider names, actions, descriptions, major/minor, protagonist/antagonist), Setting (where the plot occurs, evokes a mood, scary, peaceful, dark, bright; many setting elements can be symbolic), Point of view (Narrator of the story; first person, third person — objective, limited, omniscient, limited-omniscient); Symbolism, Style, Tone, Irony (ways that the author arranges words to get an effect; diction of the words — formal or casual vocabulary) Theme (underlying meaning when all elements are considered together); Use of other figurative language (satire, metaphor, simile)
QUESTION 5
In at least 150-words, discuss what you will include in your second body paragraph to prove your second thesis statement point to support the literary theme? Use at least 3 specific examples from the story(ies) to incorporate into your response. You may also incorporate research information.
Consider looking for the deeper meaning by using the following:
Characterization (Consider names, actions, descriptions, major/minor, protagonist/antagonist), Setting (where the plot occurs, evokes a mood, scary, peaceful, dark, bright; many setting elements can be symbolic), Point of view (Narrator of the story; first person, third person — objective, limited, omniscient, limited-omniscient); Symbolism, Style, Tone, Irony (ways that the author arranges words to get an effect; diction of the words — formal or casual vocabulary) Theme (underlying meaning when all elements are considered together); Use of other figurative language (satire, metaphor, simile)
Question 6
In at least 150-words, discuss what you will include in your third body paragraph to prove your third thesis statement point to support the literary theme? Use at least 3 specific examples from the story(ies) to incorporate into your response. You may also incorporate research information.
Consider looking for the deeper meaning by using the following:
Characterization (Consider names, actions, descriptions, major/minor, protagonist/antagonist), Setting (where the plot occurs, evokes a mood, scary, peaceful, dark, bright; many setting elements can be symbolic), Point of view (Narrator of the story; first person, third person — objective, limited, omniscient, limited-omniscient); Symbolism, Style, Tone, Irony (ways that the author arranges words to get an effect; diction of the words — formal or casual vocabulary) Theme (underlying meaning when all elements are considered together); Use of other figurative language (satire, metaphor, simile)
QUESTION 7
Below type your ideas for your concluding paragraph in at least 50 words.
Remind the reader of the name of the story and author as well as the three supporting points.
What are the overall theme and impact of the story(ies)? Why should people continue to read it?
*Remember to avoid first-person pronouns such as “I” and “we” and avoid “you” references.
