MASTERING THE PROSE ESSAY
Mrs. Loomis
ANALYZE THE PROMPT (1-3 MINS.)
Here’s why:
1.
Once you know what is expected, you will read the
passage(s) in a more directed manner.
2.
Once you internalize the question, you will need to
be sensitive to those details that will apply.
3.
One you know all the facets that need to be
addressed, you will be able to write a complete
essay demonstrating adherence to the topic*.
* Topic adherence, which means sticking to the
question, is a key strategy for achieving a high
score.
ANNOTATE THE FOLLOWING:

In the following passage from the short story
“The Dead,” James Joyce presents an insight into
the character of Gabriel. Write a well-organized
essay in which you discuss various aspects of
Gabriel’s character that Joyce reveals to the
reader and to Gabriel himself. Refer to
techniques and devices such as imagery, point of
view, motif, diction, and syntax.
CHECK YOUR ANNOTATIONS:
In the following passage from the short story “The
Dead,” James Joyce presents an insight into the
character of Gabriel. Write a well-organized essay in
which you discuss various aspects of Gabriel’s
character
that Joyce reveals to the reader and to Gabriel himself.
Refer to techniques and devices such as imagery, point
of view, motif, diction, and syntax.


“Such as” is merely a suggestion; feel free to use your own ideas
as long as they are “techniques” or “devices.” Also note that the
prompt says “techniques”—plural!
READING AND NOTATING THE PROSE PASSAGE
(5 MINS.)
Do one of the following:
1. Read the passage quickly, and then reread
taking marginal notes and marking the passage
OR
2. Take marginal notes and mark the passage as
you read it slowly.
AFTER YOU HAVE ANNOTATED...

Consult your annotations


What categories pop out at you? These will be the
basis for the development of the body of your essay.
Review the prompt again.

What were you asked to look for?
PREPARING TO WRITE BY ORGANIZING
YOUR ANNOTATIONS
(10 MINS.)
Aspect of Character: SEEMS OBSESSED with “TIME”
Words/Phrases from the Text:
“a few moments”
“no longer the face”
“had had that romance”
“an hour before”
“girlish beauty”
“soon be a shade”
“no longer beautiful”
“for a moment”
“he thought of what she must have been then”
Conclusion: Gabriel moves from the distant past to the near future.
He becomes aware of the changes in the marital relationship with his
wife and with his own passage.
ORGANIZING YOUR ANNOTATIONS (CONT.)
Technique: IMAGERY
Words/Phrases from the Text:
The title “The Dead”
Gabriel’s very name
“entered his soul”
“braved death”
“fallen down”
“good night”
“in the snow”
“would soon be a shade”
“dressed in black”
“the blinds would be drawn”
“crying and blowing her nose”
Conclusion: These images foreshadow and emphasize that there is
a coldness and a loss in relationships and self-image.
WRITING THE OPENING PARAGRAPH
Include the author and title
 Make certain your topic is clear
 A suggested approach is to relate a direct
quotation from the passage to the topic.
 Specifically mention the techniques to which you
are referring
 Try to connect with the reader

FOUR SAMPLES
 In
James Joyce’s “The Dead,” the
character of Gabriel is revealed through
diction, point of view, and imagery as he
watches his wife sleep.
 Poor
Gabriel! Who would have thought he
knew so little about himself and his life,
yet in “The Dead,” James Joyce, through
diction, point of view, and imagery, makes
it clear to the reader and to Gabriel that
there is much to reveal about his
character.
FOUR SAMPLES (CONT.)
 “Yes,
yes: that would happen very soon.” And
yes, very soon the reader of the excerpt from
James Joyce’s “The Dead” gets to know the
character of Gabriel. Through diction, point
of view, and imagery, we are introduced to
Gabriel and what he thinks of himself.
 “The
Dead.” How apt a title. James Joyce
turns his reader into a fly on the wall as
Gabriel is about to realize the many losses in
his life. Death pervades the passage, from
his sleeping wife to his dying aunt.
WRITING THE BODY OF THE PROSE
PASSAGE ESSAY (15-20 MINS.)

Include the following:
 Your interpretation
 SPECIFIC references and details from the passage
(quotations, complete with quotation marks)
 “Connective tissue”
 Repetition of key ideas from opening paragraph
 Effective transitions (however, therefore,
additionally, further, etc…)
 Echo words (i.e. synonyms, such as
death/loss/passing or character/persona/personality

Leave time to proofread (2 mins.)
IN SUMMARY



Highlight the prompt and understand all the required
components (1-3 mins.)
Annotate the passage (5 mins) and organize your
thoughts (10 mins.)
Write the essay (15-20 mins.)






Create a strong opening paragraph
Refer often to the passage
Use concrete details/support/quotations to support your ideas
ALWAYS stay on topic & AVOID plot summary
Include transitions and echo words
Allow time to proofread at the end (2 mins.)
 Total time: 40 minutes