Night Response to Literature Essay
Writing Task:
The style of a piece of literature refers to the particular way in which it is written. Style is not so
much what is said, but how it is said. It is the writer’s uniquely individual way of communicating
ideas. Elie Wiesel, faced with the daunting task of recreating his Holocaust experience for his readers
has a carefully crafted style that contributes to his memoir’s overall message.
Write a literary response essay in which you analyze Elie Wiesel’s use of style devices in his memoir,
Night. Discuss how his use of style devices emphasizes the theme of his work. You may want to
consider such style devices as figurative language (similes, implicit metaphors, explicit metaphors,
personification, hyperbole), irony (situational or verbal), imagery/sensory details, characterization,
repetition, flash forward, foreshadowing, flashback, allusion, symbolism, tone, mood, suspense,
diction, sentence structure, and/or parallelism. Include examples from the text in order to support
your ideas.
A
TTACK the PROMPT
Essay Genre: __________________________________
DO
WHAT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Rough Draft Thesis: Make sure to use precise adjectives that reinforce your opinion about
Wiesel’s use of particular stylistic devices and how these devices contribute to the overall message of
the memoir.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
1
Night Response to Literature Assignment
B
RAINSTORM (Use page 8 and 9 of this packet for ideas)
Memoir’s Theme:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Body ¶ # __
Literary Device #__:
_______________
Body ¶ #___
Literary Device #__:
_______________
Body ¶ # ___
Literary Device # __:
_______________
C
HUNK &
C
HOOSE ORDER
Go back through your brainstorm. Chunk (group) the ideas that go together. Using a logical organizational
pattern (Hint: Body Paragraph #1 should have your second best idea, Body Paragraph #2 should have your
third best idea, and Body Paragraph #3 should have your best idea. Remember: the goal is to make a good
first impression, and leave a lasting impression with your audience, so save the best for last!), number the
ideas according to the order that you would like to discuss them in your essay.
2
D
Night Response to Literature Assignment
raft Your Essay
Use the following outline to help you with the structure of your paragraphs. Draft your essay on a
computer, and be sure to adhere to MLA format rules. Also, refer to page 4 of this packet for an example
of a literary analysis introduction, page 5 for a body paragraph example, and page 6 for a guide.
I.
Introductory Paragraph
A. Hook/Opening Sentence (quote, statistics, surprising statement, etc. about the Holocaust and
WWII)
B. Background Information (Discuss the following: Elie Wiesel, his memoir Night, and the theme
you chose to analyze)
C. Thesis (Identify the style devices you are analyzing that emphasize the memoir’s theme)
i. Example: Through his carefully crafted use of __________________, __________________,
and __________________in his memoir Night, Elie Wiesel emphasizes his theme that
__________________________________________________________________________.
II.
Body Paragraph 1—Literary Device 1: Explain how/why this device helps emphasize Night’s theme.
A. Topic Sentence (contains strong opinion that supports thesis statement)
B. Chunk 1 (start with introducing new information transition)
i. at least one cited CD from the memoir along with your CMs/SUPPORT explaining how/why
that example emphasizes Wiesel’s theme. (link CDs & CMs)
C. Chunk 2 (start with adding information transition)
i. at least one more cited CD from the memoir along with your CMs/SUPPORT explaining
how/why that example emphasizes Wiesel’s theme. (link CDs & CMs)
D. Concluding Sentence (start with concluding transition; rephrase the topic sentence with new
diction)
III.
Body Paragraph 2—Literary Device 2: Explain how/why the device helps emphasize Night’s theme.
A. Topic Sentence (contains strong opinion that supports thesis statement)
B. Chunk 1 (start with introducing new information transition)
i. at least one cited CD from the memoir along with your CMs/SUPPORT explaining how/why
that example emphasizes Wiesel’s theme. (link CDs & CMs)
C. Chunk 2 (start with adding information transition)
i. at least one more cited CD from the memoir along with your CMs/SUPPORT explaining
how/why that example emphasizes Wiesel’s theme. (link CDs & CMs)
D. Concluding Sentence (start with concluding transition; rephrase the topic sentence with new
diction)
IV.
Body Paragraph 3—Literary Device 3: Explain how/why the device helps emphasize Night’s theme.
A. Topic Sentence (contains strong opinion that supports thesis statement)
B. Chunk 1 (start with introducing new information transition)
i. at least one cited CD from the memoir along with your CMs/SUPPORT explaining how/why
that example emphasizes Wiesel’s theme. (link CDs & CMs)
C. Chunk 2 (start with adding information transition)
i. at least one more cited CD from the memoir along with your CMs/SUPPORT explaining
how/why that example emphasizes Wiesel’s theme. (link CDs & CMs)
D. Concluding Sentence (start with concluding transition; rephrase the topic sentence with new
diction)
V.
Concluding Paragraph
A. Summarize the three main points of the essay
B. Rephrase and Restate Thesis (start with concluding information transition)
C. Reverse Hook/Closing Sentence (leave the reader thinking)
3
Night Response to Literature Assignment
Example Literary Analysis Introductory Paragraph
The following introductory paragraph is taken from a literary analysis essay discussing the author Ray
Bradbury’s use of literary devices and how they affect the mood of several of his short stories. This
is very similar to what you will be doing except that you are analyzing the effect of stylistic devices
on theme, and you are only examining one piece of literature.
Directions: Read through the introductory paragraph below. Label the student’s hook/opening
sentence, background information, and thesis statement. Next, draw a box around the background
information. Then, underline the student’s thesis statement. Lastly, label the controlling ideas in the
student’s thesis statement.
Imagine living in a corrupt, complex society set in the future. A society in which
humanity is dependent on technology to the extent in which it affects the world they live in
negatively. Ray Bradbury describes such a world in his three stories: “A Sound of Thunder,”
“There Will Come Soft Rains,” and “The Pedestrian.” Ray Bradbury illustrates this tragic
world with a unique writing style that consists of the use of similes, metaphors, imagery, and
varied sentence structure. Combined, these writing devices create a terrifying experience that
leaves readers at the edge of their seats.
Introductory Paragraph Guide
Use the guide below for assistance when writing your introduction.
_______________________________________________________________________________.
HOOK/OPENING SENTENCE (QUOTE, STATISTICS, SHOCKING STATEMENT, …. about WWII and/or the HOLOCAUST)
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: STATE AUTHOR, GENRE and TITLE of WORK , as well as the THEME YOU ARE ANALYZING
Through his carefully crafted use of __________________, __________________, and __________________in his
THESIS STATEMENT:
STYLE DEVICE 1
STYLE DEVICE 2
STYLE DEVICE 3
memoir Night, Elie Wiesel emphasizes his theme that _______________________________________________.
THEME
4
Night Response to Literature Assignment
Example Literary Analysis Body Paragraph
The following body paragraph is taken from a literary analysis essay discussing the author Ray
Bradbury’s use of literary devices and how they affect the mood of several of his short stories. This
is very similar to what you will be doing except that you are analyzing the effect of stylistic devices
on theme, and you are only examining one piece of literature.
Directions: Read through the body paragraph below. Label the numbered parts of the paragraph,
using the list in the box below. Some items will be repeated.
a) topic sentence transition
b) speaker
c) speaker tag
d) topic sentence
e) concluding sentence transition
1 = ____
2 = ____
3 = ____
4 = ____
5= ____
6 = ____
f) chunk 1 transition
g) citation
h) quote
i) chunk 2 transition
j) link
7 = ____
8 = ____
9 = ____
First,1 the figurative language that
10 = ____
11 = ____
12 = ____
k) rephrased topic sentence
l) story context
m) commentary
13 = ____
14 = ____
15 = ____
16 = ____
17 = ____
18 = ____
19 = ____
20 = ____
Bradbury crafts helps the reader to visualize the terrifying experiences
taking place in his stories, which contribute to the dark, eerie mood he creates.2 For example,3 as the character
Mr. Mead walks through his neighborhood4 in the short story “The Pedestrian,” Bradbury5 writes,6 “The street
was silent and long and empty, with only his shadow moving like the shadow of a hawk in midcountry” 7 (98).8
With the use of this simile, Bradbury shows9 his reader how alone Mr. Mead is during his evening stroll. By
comparing his shadow to that of a hawk’s in midcountry, Bradbury assists the reader in visualizing an empty
plain for miles with nothing in sight but one’s own shadow.10 The reader now has an understanding of the
frighteningly deserted town Mr. Mead lives in by realizing the only thing moving in this city is one man’s
shadow.10 Furthermore,11 while the hunters are exploring the jungle of the past in the story, “A Sound of
Thunder,” 12 Bradbury13 explains,14 “Its mouth gasped exposing a fence of teeth like daggers” 15 (77). 16 By
describing the dinosaur’s mouth as a fence,17 the reader can visualize how large and intimidating the teeth seem
to the hunters.18 Also, by stating that the teeth are like daggers, the reader is aware of how sharp and potentially
dangerous these teeth can be to the thrill-seekers.18 This simile helps to contribute to the suspenseful,
frightening mood of the story because anyone would be afraid of an image like this.18 Needless to say,19
Bradbury creates a gloomy mood for his reader with the use of descriptive similes that bring terror to life.20
5
Night Response to Literature Assignment
Body Paragraphs Guide
Use the guide below for assistance when writing your three body paragraphs. Be sure to vary your
wording, so your paragraphs are not repetitive. You may NOT repeat ANY phrases, transition words,
lead-ins, speaker tags, or links ANYWHERE in your essay—everything must be NEW and ORIGINAL.
Through his use ________________of _________________, Wiesel contributes to the theme that
PRECISE ADJECTIVE
STYLISTIC DEVICE
_______________________________ by __________________________________________________.
THEME
from THESIS
EXPLAIN what the LITERARY DEVICE HELPS the READER EXPERIENCE
_________________________________, _____________________________. Wiesel ____________,
CHUNK 1: INTRODUCING FIRST IDEA TRANSITION
STORY CONTEXT (LEAD-IN)
SPEAKER TAG
“_____________________________________________________________” (_____). _____________
PROPERLY PUNCTUATED QUOTE
CITATION
LINK
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
FIRST SENTENCE OF COMMENTARY that EXPLAINS HOW THE QUOTE PROVES THE TOPIC SENTENCE.
___________________________________________________________________________________.
AT LEAST ONE MORE SENTENCE OF COMMENTARY that FURTHER EXPLAINS HOW THE QUOTE PROVES THE TOPIC SENTENCE
______________________________, _______________________________Wiesel _____________,
CHUNK 2: ADDING INFORMATION TRANSITION
STORY CONTEXT (LEAD-IN)
SPEAKER TAG
“_____________________________________________________________” (_____). _____________
PROPERLY PUNCTUATED QUOTE
CITATION
LINK
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
FIRST SENTENCE OF COMMENTARY that EXPLAINS HOW THE QUOTE PROVES THE TOPIC SENTENCE.
___________________________________________________________________________________.
AT LEAST ONE MORE SENTENCE OF COMMENTARY that FURTHER EXPLAINS HOW THE QUOTE PROVES THE TOPIC SENTENCE
_____________________, ___________________________________________________________________.
CONCLUDING TRANSIITION
REPHRASE TOPIC SENTENCE USING NEW PHRASES and DICTION
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Introducing Quotes
Night Response to Literature Assignment
Transitions that indicate an example
(Use to introduce first quote in paragraph)
 For example,
 For instance,
 To demonstrate,
 To illustrate,
 Specifically,
 Particularly,
 In particular,
 Namely,
 That is,
Transitions that add information
(Use to introduce second quote in paragraph)
 Furthermore,
 Moreover,
 In addition,
 Also,
 Additionally,
 Likewise,
 Similarly,
Transitions that wrap ideas up
(Use with concluding sentences and restating thesis in conclusion)
 As a result,
 Finally,
 Nevertheless,
 Nonetheless,
 Lastly,
 Without a doubt,
 Clearly,
 Therefore,
 Thus,
 Undoubtedly,
 Accordingly,
 Hence,
 In other words,
Lead-ins (help to introduce a quote)
 What the author does … (Ex: Wiesel describes, “…”)
 What the character does (Ex: one day Elie says, states, remarks, implies, questions,
wonders, suggests, ponders, reflects, etc…)
 Plot summary (Ex: when Elie begins to question his faith and his belief in God, he
contemplates, …)
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Night Response to Literature Assignment
Passages/Sections of the Memoir to consider for Essay
Part 1-9: Pages 1, 4, 5, 10, 12, 16, 18, 18, 19, 19, 22, 22, 23, 24, 24, 24, 25, 28, 32, 32, 32, 34, 34,
34, 36, 38, 39, 39, 41, 62, 63, 73, 76, 79, 79, 79, 79, 79, 79, 79, 79, 79, 80, 80, 84, 88, 93, 94, 94,
94, 95, 96, 98, 98
Symbolism—Use of the word night as a symbol
Part 1: Page 4
Imagery/Sensory details—Moshe the Beadle’s story of firing squad, huge graves, babies as targets
Part 1: Page 12
Flash forward—warning to leave
Part 2: Pages 22-26
Symbolism of fire—passage about Madame Schächter
Part 2: Page 23
Foreshadowing Furnace
Part 3: Page 27
Flash forward deaths of mother and Tzipora
Part 3: Page 30
Images of babies in crematory
Part 3: Page 32
Repetition, imagery, symbolism of night and fire, sentence structure, word choice/diction,
personification
Part 3: Page 33
Situational irony—Bela Katz puts father in crematory oven
Part 3: Page 37 and 38
Situational irony—signs on electric fence and above iron door
Part 3: Page 42
Allusion--Job
Part 4: Page 51
Flash forward in Paris
Part 4: Page 52
Situational irony—Elie angry with father and not German soldier
Part 5: Page 64
Situational irony—What did Jews do to deserve the Holocaust? Wishing each other a Happy New Year
8
Part 5: Page 71
Irony—Elie’s inheritance
Night Response to Literature Assignment
Part 5: Page 77
Verbal irony—Elie’s faith in Hitler
Part 5: Page 78
Flash forward of camp liberation
Part 5: Page 79
Repetition and symbolism of night
Part 6: Page 85
Personification of death
Part 7: Page 95
Flash forward struggle in Aden
Part 7: Page 100
Personification of death
Part 9: Page 107
Flashback of liberation
Part 9: Page 109
Irony—not one thought of revenge
These passage selections are only suggestions—you may choose other passages if you wish. Note:
not all figurative language devices are represented above. Elie Wiesel uses tons of examples—too
many to place on this page of suggestions. Moreover, you are all pros at locating passages of similes
and metaphors by now—you don’t need my assistance in this task.
9
E
Night Response to Literature Assignment
dit and Revise
After writing both your rough draft (RD) and final draft (FD), read through your essay and place a
check mark next to each item that has been completed. If you have not completed an item, you
know that you need to work on including that item in your essay in order to improve your writing and
raise the final grade that you will receive.
How is your structure?
Title
RD
FD
____ ____ My title is unique and catchy.
____ ____ My title is an accurate representation of what my paper discusses.
Introduction
Hook/Opening Sentence
RD
FD
____ ____ I have captured the reader’s attention by using at least one of the following:
□ imagery
□ figurative language
□ surprising statement
□ quote
□ shocking statistic/fact
□ strong opinion
Background Information
RD
FD
____ ____ I have discussed the general topic of my essay.
____ ____ I have offered a brief summary of the text.
____ ____ I have connected the general topic to the literature.
____ ____ I have mentioned the author’s first and last name, title, and genre.
____ ____ I have capitalized the author’s first and last name.
____ ____ I have capitalized and italicized the title.
Thesis Statement
RD
FD
____ ____ My thesis is the last sentence of my introduction.
____ ____ My thesis tells the main point of my essay.
____ ____ My thesis contains an opinion.
____ ____ My thesis has three points.
____ ____ My thesis uses precise adjectives that add to my opinion.
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Night Response to Literature Assignment
Body Paragraphs
RD
FD
____ ____ I have at least 3 body paragraphs.
____ ____ Each of my body paragraphs focuses on one point of the thesis.
____ ____ My body paragraphs follow a logical order.
Topic Sentences
RD
FD
____ ____ Each of my topic sentences include one point from the thesis.
____ ____ Each of my topic sentences contains precise adjectives that add to my opinion.
Transition Words
RD
FD
____ ____ I have used appropriate transitions to:
□ introduce new ideas/quotes
□ add more information
□ connect ideas
□ end body paragraphs
____ ____ I have varied the use of my transitions.
Lead-ins
RD
FD
____ ____ I have offered a brief phrase about the author’s purpose or plot summary in order
to assist the reader’s understanding.
____ ____ I have properly introduced quotes with a speaker and speaker tag.
____ ____ I have used accurate, descriptive speaker tags.
____ ____ I have varied the use of speaker tags.
Concrete Details (Quotes)
RD
FD
____ ____ I have used at least 2 quotes per body paragraph.
____ ____ Each of the quotes help prove my topic sentences.
____ ____ I have properly introduced the quotes.
____ ____ I have properly punctuated the quotes.
____ ____ I have properly cited the quotes.
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Night Response to Literature Assignment
Commentary
RD
FD
____ ____ My commentary thoroughly explains how each quote proves my topic sentences.
(Hint: You need at least 2 sentences of commentary per concrete detail, but
more is often required in order to make your thinking clear to your reader.)
Concluding Sentences
RD
FD
____ ____ Each of my concluding sentences rephrases the topic sentence.
____ ____ I have used a transition word in each of my concluding sentences to give my
body paragraphs a finished feel.
Conclusion
Summary of Main Ideas
RD
FD
____ ____ I have briefly summarized the main ideas of my body paragraphs.
Rephrased and Restated Thesis
RD
FD
____ ____ I have used a transition word to emphasize my essay’s overall main point.
____ ____ I have restated my thesis in different words.
Reverse Hook/Closing Sentence
RD
FD
____ ____ The last part of my essay is a strong reflection or conclusion that offers my
reader insight.
____ ____ The last part of my essay hints at the hook from my introduction paragraph.
12
Night Response to Literature Assignment
How is your grammar and style?
Word Choice/Diction
RD
FD
____ ____ I have replaced words that appear too often in my essay with synonyms.
____ ____ I have replaced vague or inappropriate words with stronger, more sophisticated,
precise, vivid, academic words.
Flow
RD
FD
____ ____ When reading my paper aloud, it is pleasant to read. (Hint: Are you able to read
it without confusion or awkwardness? Do you flow from sentence to sentence
without sounding choppy or long-winded?)
Sentence Structure
RD
FD
____ ____ I have combined sentences in order to vary my sentence structure.
____ ____ I have varied the beginnings of my sentences so that they don’t all start the same
way.
____ ____ I have fixed all run-on sentences.
____ ____ I have fixed all comma splices.
____ ____ I have fixed all sentence fragments.
Tone
RD
FD
____ ____ I have used academic language and avoided slang, swearing, and unnecessary
sarcasm. (Hint: Avoid saying things like twenty-four seven and retarded.)
Point of View
RD
FD
____ ____ I have written in the third person point of view? (Hint: Did you avoid first person
personal pronouns such as me, my, I, mine, us, we, and our? Did you refrain
from speaking directly to the reader with second person pronouns you and your?)
Tense
RD
FD
____ ____ I have written in the present tense. (Hint: Instead of saying The narrator
remembered…say The narrator remembers).
13
Night Response to Literature Assignment
Spelling
RD
FD
____ ____ I have double-checked any words that I was not confident how to spell.
Punctuation
RD
FD
____ ____ I have used the correct end mark for each sentence.
____ ____ I have used quotation marks around each quote.
____ ____ I have properly quoted dialogue with a single quote around dialogue and double
quotes around the entire quote (quote within a quote).
____ ____ I have placed the page number in parentheses outside of each quote.
____ ____ I have placed a period on the outside of each citation.
____ ____ I have used apostrophes to show possession.
____ ____ I have used appropriate punctuation when combining sentences.
____ ____ I have used commas:
□ with double adjectives
□ with introductory words/phrases
□ in series
□ with non-essential clauses
□ with conjunctions (FANBOYS) that combine sentences
□ to set off quotes from explanatory words and speaker tags
Commonly Confused Words
RD
FD
____ ____ I have double-checked all commonly confused words, including those listed
below, to make sure I have used the correct ones.
□ there, their, they’re
□ accept, except
□ to, too, two
□ affect, effect
□ its, it’s
□ lose, loose
□ are, our
□ past, passed
□ your, you’re
□ were, wear, where, we’re
□ than, then
□ through, threw
Capitalization
RD
FD
____ ____ I have capitalized the first word of every sentence.
____ ____ I have capitalized all proper nouns.
14
Night Response to Literature Assignment
F
inalize
Before submitting your final draft, look over the formatting of your essay and place a check mark
next to each item that has been completed. If you have not completed an item, you know that you
need to work on fixing that part of the formatting in order to adhere to MLA guidelines and raise the
final grade that you will receive.
How is your formatting?
Overall
____ I have used 12 pt. Times New Roman font throughout my entire essay, including the
title.
____ I have double-spaced the entire essay.
____ I have used a one-inch margin all the way around the page.
____ I have stapled my final draft on top of all of my prewriting, rough drafts, and peer edits.
____ I have indented each paragraph.
____ I have included a properly formatted
Irving 1
header in the top right hand corner of each
John Irving
page (0.5” from the top).
Ms. Ceballos
English 2 Honors
First Page
____ I have included a properly formatted
header in the top right hand corner of the
page (0.5” from the top).
____ I have included a properly formatted
heading in the top left corner of the page.
____ I have centered the title.
____ I DID NOT underline, quote, or bold my
title.
15 December 2009
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Night Response to Literature Assignment
Last Page/Works Cited
____ The last page of my essay is a properly formatted Works Cited page.
____ The title (Works Cited) is at the top center of the page.
____ I DID NOT underline, quote, or bold the title.
____ The source entry begins at the margin.
____ Each additional line of the source entry is indented.
____ I have placed the source information in proper order according to MLA formatting
guidelines.
____ I have included proper punctuation according to MLA formatting guidelines.
____ I have capitalized all proper nouns.
Irving 4
Works Cited
Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York: Bantam Books, 1982.
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