Style Analysis Essay – Edgar Allan Poe
Essential Questions:
1. How does an author’s background contribute to their literary style?
2. What elements come together to create an author’s style?
a. Irony
b. Mood
c. Theme
d. Symbolism
e. Imagery
f. Character
g. Conflict
h. Diction
i. Syntax
j. Figurative Language (metaphor, simile, personification, etc.)
Prompt:
Based on literary elements/devices we’ve analyzed in Poe’s works, how would you describe
Poe’s unique literary style?
Write a well-developed essay describing Poe’s unique style of writing. Support your analysis
with evidence from Poe’s life, “The Raven,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Masque of the Red
Death,” and other Poe stories you’ve read.
Essay Structure:
Paragraph 1: Introduction (Including background information on Poe)
Paragraph 2: Literary Device/Element #1
Paragraph 3: Literary Device/Element #2
Paragraph 4: Literary Device/Element #3
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Style Analysis Essay – Edgar Allan Poe
Style Analysis Essay – Edgar Allan Poe
Style Analysis Essay Outline
Paragraph topics may include any of the literary devices/elements. Choose only 3!
Where the paragraphs list “commentary,” be sure to include explanation for the examples
you’ve provided. For example, how does that evidence support what you are saying about
Poe’s style?
Paragraph #1 Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe
Sentence order:
#1: Hook: _______________________________________________________________
#2: Thesis: _______________________________________________________________
#3: How Poe’s background influenced his writing style____________________________
Paragraph #2 1st literary device/element:
Sentence order:
#1 topic sentence_________________________________________________________
#2 example from text______________________________________________________
#3 commentary __________________________________________________________
#4 commentary __________________________________________________________
#5 example from text______________________________________________________
#6 commentary __________________________________________________________
#7 commentary __________________________________________________________
#8 concluding sentence ____________________________________________________
Paragraph #3 2nd literary device/element:
Sentence order:
#1 topic sentence_________________________________________________________
#2 example from text______________________________________________________
Style Analysis Essay – Edgar Allan Poe
#3 commentary __________________________________________________________
#4 commentary __________________________________________________________
#5 example from text______________________________________________________
#6 commentary __________________________________________________________
#7 commentary __________________________________________________________
#8 concluding sentence ____________________________________________________
Paragraph #4 3rd literary device/element:
Sentence order:
#1 topic sentence_________________________________________________________
#2 example from text______________________________________________________
#3 commentary __________________________________________________________
#4 commentary __________________________________________________________
#5 example from text______________________________________________________
#6 commentary __________________________________________________________
#7 commentary __________________________________________________________
#8 concluding sentence ____________________________________________________
Paragraph #5 Conclusion:
Sentence order:
#1: the first sentence in the concluding paragraph gives final commentary thoughts
about the entire style essay.
#2-3: These sentences elaborate on the ideas stated in sentence #1 and give a finished
feeling to the essay.