Fischer / English 2 / Unit 3
COUNTED AS: MINI ESSAY GRADE
NAME: _____________________________
DUE DATES: ______________
“Nothing factual that I write or say will be as truthful as my fiction.”
― Nadine Gordimer
In the above quote, Gordimer suggests that imagined stories convey a special kind of truth. What is the special
kind of truth revealed in her short story, “Once Upon a Time” or “Loot”? How does she convey that truth? One
way to frame this in your mind is to think of truth as the theme or message of the story. (You may pick which
story you will focus your essay on).
OVERVIEW
1. Compose a paper that analyzes how Gordimer conveys truth in her story. Identify the truth and then
consider two ways in which Gordimer successfully conveys this message.
2. This analysis will strive to be deeper and more specific than the essays you composed in semester one.
You will accomplish this by specifically assessing how components of Gordimer’s writing further her
truth. Ways in which you can analyze the text include:
a. Tone – What is the overall tone? Shifts? What diction does the author use to create tone?
Compile specific lists.
b. Mood – What is the overall mood? Shifts? What diction does the author use to create mood?
Compile specific lists.
c. Imagery – Avoid using this as a throw-away category. Please don’t tell me “The author uses
vivid imagery to make the story come to life.” That can describe any story. What specific
sights, sounds, smells, touches, and tastes does the author include to further her message?
d. Genre – How does the type of story help to convey the author’s message?
e. Extended Metaphor – What is being compared throughout the story that helps to further the
author’s message?
f. Plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, denouement, resolution) – How does the
structure of the story further the author’s message?
g. Appeal to pathos – How does the author’s emotional appeals
h. Other categories you see fit to include (narrator, characterization, etc.)
3. Your analysis will also use higher-level diction. Use at least two of the verbs on the “verbs” list.
MECHANICS – 2 POINTS DEDUCTED FOR EACH MISSING ELEMENT
1. ____2 pages in length (plus or minus a few lines)
2. ____Attach all materials with rubric on top, outline in middle, and final draft last
3. ____Cite the story using in-text, MLA citations (no works cited page necessary)
4. ____12-pt font
5. ____Double space
6. ____MLA heading
7. ____Highlight the two vocabulary words you used
Mini-Outline
1. Intro – What kind of info are you going to tell me to hook me into your paper? Remember, I am your
audience, and I read 105 of these. Tell me something new!
a. CLAIM (theme/truth + how it is conveyed):
2. Focus of Paragraph One:
a. Text Support:
b. Explanation of text support / connection to truth:
3. Focus of Paragraph Two:
a. Text Support:
b. Explanation of text support / connection to truth:
4. Conclusion – Restate thesis / tie back into larger themes