Name
Date
Period
Please write on one side of the paper and place your heading on the top left hand corner.

Prompt
• Identify two literary devices we have studied thus-far: Imagery, tone, diction, syntax, figurative language, and/or mood, and how Hawthorne uses these effectively to portray his message in The Scarlet Letter.

Do Not “Drop” Quotations
• You must briefly describe what’s happening before you give a citation.
Bad Example
• In The Scarlet Letter, imagery—or very detailed writing to impact readers—is used by Hawthorne. In Chapter 2, “It might be, too, that a witch, like old Mistress Hibbins, the bitter-tempered window of the magistrate…”(37).
• You must set the stage before providing info. from the text.

Improved
• In The Scarlet Letter, imagery—or very detailed writing to impact readers—is used by Hawthorne to effectively portray various characters throughout the novel. In
Chapter 2, powerful adjectives provide readers insight into Hawthorne’s perspective toward Mistress Hibbins:
“It might be, too, that a witch, like old Mistress Hibbins, the bitter-tempered window of the magistrate…”(37).

Always analyze your citation!
• Tell what the citation means or explain its relevance to the progression of the story.
“It might be, too, that a witch, like old Mistress Hibbins, the bittertempered window of the magistrate…”(37).
• What is Hawthorne saying about this character? Is it important that she’s described as a witch?

Don’t overuse passive voice (is, was, were)
• NO : Imagery is used to describe the…
• BETTER : Hawthorne’s vivid imagery of Heter’s letter
• NO: Hawthorne was telling of the time…
• BETTER: Hawthorne tells readers….
• NO… .Another example is shown in Chapter 3…
• BETTER: Additionally, Hawthorne exhibits____ in Chapter 3…

Be Concise. Don’t Be repetitive.
• The Scarlet Letter, a novel composed by Nathaniel
Hawthorne, exemplifies an array of effective imagery or language that appeals to the senses throughout the course of the novel. In order for the reader to understand the circumstances at hand, Hawthorne effectively portrays the actions of characters through imagery. For instance,
Hester….

Stay in third person point of view!
• The device of imagery is used when the writer tries to paint a picture in our minds. He shows us…
• The device of imagery is used when the writer paints a picture in readers’ minds.

Avoid using the word “says” or “ describes” too much—Use your power words!
• NOT TOO MUCH: Hawthorne says….
• BETTER:
• Hawthorne portrays
• Hawthorne exhibits
• Hawthorne displays

Author’s Purpose –Why does Hawthorne write this?
• NO: Hawthorne creates a gloomy tone through the diction that portrays the letter
A that clings to Hester: “The Scarlet letter—which it was her doom to wear”(54).
Here the author uses very strong words such as doom and shame to bring across
the dark and foreboding tone.
• This does not clarify Hawthorne’s purpose. It is merely restating what the paragraph initially stated.
• Yes: Hawthorne chooses such words as “doom” and “shame” to invite readers into
Hester’s own perspective and understand the full impact of her embarrassment and shame as she wears the A on her chest. Obviously the Puritan society of this time period was less than forgiving to the sinners of the community.

• Great Paragraph!
Hawthorne uses imagery to set the stage for his novel, The Scarlet
Letter. This literary device conveys the mood of the story and effectively appeals to readers’ senses so that they may better understand the characters and the plot. Hawthorne describes
Hester’s experience at the scaffold as being uncomfortable with “The hot, midday sun burning down upon her face…”(47). Here readers are able to imagine the misery experienced by the protagonist as she endures insults and hateful remarks by the crowd. Just like the weather, Hester must endure a prison which is described as one with rot and decay, yet “…heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes” (34). This portrayal encourages readers to sympathize with
Hester and perhaps question as to why anyone should endure such punishment for the crime at hand.