English
Mr. Riden
Short Story/Literary Elements Essay
Over the last several weeks we have read several short stories from our literature book,
including the following: Checkouts, A Sound of Thunder, The Most Dangerous Game,
Pancakes, The Necklace, The Cask of Amontillado, The Scarlet Ibis, The Open Window,
and The Pedestrian.
We began the year discussing the elements of the plot pyramid or diagram (exposition,
rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution) and we have discussed those in
reference to the stories we have read. During this time, we have also discussed such
literary elements as: setting, characters, conflict, point of view, irony, symbolism, and
theme in reference to these stories.
Essay Assignment: You will write a 4 paragraph essay (introductory paragraph, 2 body
paragraphs, and concluding paragraph) discussing how one of the literary elements
(setting, irony, symbolism, etc.) play an important role in 2 of the stories. You will follow
these 7 steps to writing your essay.
Step 1: Choose 2 of the short stories we read to discuss in your essay. I recommend
choosing the two stories you remember best and know best and go best with the element
of literature you are going to be discussing. For example, if you remember and
understood best The Most Dangerous Game and The Scarlet Ibis, then you should focus
on those first and see if you can discuss the same literary element in both.
Step 2: Choose the literary element you think plays the most important role in both of the
two stories you chose. I recommend choosing an element you understand well and can
find examples for in each of the stories you chose. For example, if you understand irony
best and can find good examples in both, then you should choose that. If you understand
symbolism best and can find good examples in both, then you should choose that.
Step 3: Choose the 2 stories and literary element that go together best and you
understand best so that you can discuss them in your essay. For example, if you think that
irony plays an important role in both The Most Dangerous Game and The Open Window
and can back this up with examples from each, then your essay should discuss irony in
both those stories. However, if you think that symbolism plays an important role in both
The Cask of Amontillado and The Scarlet Ibis and can back this up with examples from
each, then your essay should discuss symbolism in both those stories.
Step 4: Write the thesis statement for your paper. Your thesis statement should include
the element you are going to discuss and the stories in which you are going to discuss it
and give examples from. For example: The literary element of irony plays an important
role in the plots of The Necklace and The Pedestrian.
Step 5: Write your introductory paragraph. Discuss what the literary element you chose
is in 2 to 3 sentences; then your last sentence should be your thesis sentence.
English
Mr. Riden
Step 6: Write your body paragraphs. Start with the topic sentence which will state
something about discussing the literary element you chose in one of the stories from your
thesis statement. Next find the examples from each story that will be your concrete
details (with page numbers). After you have written your example or concrete detail
sentences, then write 2 commentary sentences for each concrete detail; these commentary
sentences explain how the examples you picked from the stories show how important that
literary element is in the stories in your thesis statement and essay. Finish each body
paragraph with a concluding sentence.
Step 7: Write your concluding paragraph, which should be 3-4 sentences wrapping up
and reviewing what you have discussed about the literary element and the stories in your
essay.
Of course these 7 steps will produce the first complete draft of your essay. Then you will
have to edit and proofread it once before making it your final draft.
Final Guidelines & Rubric
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Heading with name, hour, my name, and date in upper left corner.
Centered title for your essay—it cannot be the title of the short story.
Typed in 12pt. Time New Roman, double-spaced.
Introductory paragraph with minimum of 3 sentences and the thesis statement as last
sentence.
Two body paragraphs with a minimum of 8 sentences following the format used
throughout the writing process in class.
Concluding paragraph with a minimum of 3 sentences.
Parenthetical documentation of each concrete detail following proper MLA format,
including author’s name and page number. Ex. (Poe 99).
All rules regarding punctuation, indentation, grammar, and spelling will apply.
This final draft of your essay will be due Monday, October 19, and it will be
worth 1 test/essay grade.