Masque of the Red Death Essay
Now that you have read Masque of the Red Death, write an essay in which you identify a theme in the story and then analyze how Poe
uses suspense, symbols, and the characters to develop the theme.
Prewriting:
First: Figure out what THEME you want to talk about
Write the theme here _____________________________________
Next: Look at your packet where you identified examples of suspense, symbols, and characterization.
For the examples you have on your paper, figure out HOW those examples develop the theme.
Write your notes on how these elements support the theme below:
Finally, Write your thesis statement. Remember:
 This is an OPINION statement.
 You should have the name of the work and the author’s name in the sentence
 You should consider using the following key words from the prompt in your thesis: develop, theme, figurative language
 It is the LAST sentence of your introduction
Tips for the introduction:
 “Hook” the reader with a quote or rhetorical statement
 Summarize the story in 2-3 sentences
 Write 1-2 sentences where you discuss what literary elements Poe uses and WHY he uses them
 Tell me what you think the theme is
Tips for the body paragraphs
 Each topic sentence should be what you are going to prove in the paragraph
 It must be an opinion and tied to your THESIS. It should have one of the key words from the prompt (suspense, symbols,
OR characters and explain how it develops the theme)
 You need at least two examples of textual evidence in EACH paragraph
 Explain how the evidence supports your opinion
 Use strong transition words: see list below
Tips for conclusion
 Restate your topic sentences
 Summarize how Poe uses the elements suspense, symbols, and characters
Transition words
Agreement / Addition / Similarity: add information, reinforce ideas, and express agreement
furthermore
coupled with
likewise
additionally
equally important
comparatively
moreove
by the same token
Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction: Transition phrases express that there is evidence to the contrary or
point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).
although
in contrast
in spite of
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless
Examples / Support / Emphasis
These transitional devices indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.
in other words
for this reason
for example
to emphasize
as an illustration
namely
for instance
to clarify
in this case
chiefly
to demonstrate
with this in mind