PreAP English II
Objectives
 You will learn how to break down a timed writing
prompt.
 You will begin to brainstorm ideas about the central
question.
 You will plan your response.
Materials
 Copy of Life of Pi
 One sheet of blank paper for taking notes,
brainstorming ideas, generating a beginning thesis
(you may bring this one piece of paper to class on the
day of your timed writing!)
Prompt
 In literary works, a symbol is an object, action, or event
that represents an abstract idea or creates a range of
associations beyond itself. Read the following
passages from Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and consider
what Richard Parker symbolizes. Then write a welldeveloped essay in which you explain what the symbol
of Richard Parker reveals about the theme of Life of Pi.
Do not merely summarize the plot. You may want to
consider literary devices such as point of view, diction,
syntax, imagery, or detail.
Prompt
 If you have the prompt printed in front of you,
highlight the section that explains what you will have
to do. Hint: Look for the word “then” and whatever
follows it!
 Reduce the prompt into a question that you will
attempt to answer.
Prompt
 In literary works, a symbol is an object, action, or event
that represents an abstract idea or creates a range of
associations beyond itself. Read the following
passages from Yann Martel’s Life of Pi and consider
what Richard Parker symbolizes. Then write a welldeveloped essay in which you explain what the symbol
of Richard Parker reveals about the theme of Life of Pi.
Do not merely summarize the plot. You may want to
consider literary devices such as point of view, diction,
syntax, imagery, or detail.
Breaking down the prompt:
 A symbol is an object,
action, or event that
represents something
or that creates a range
of associations beyond
itself. In literary works a
symbol can express an
idea, clarify meaning, or
enlarge literal meaning.
 When analyzing a
symbol, you must
consider what that
symbol represents.
What does it mean
beyond just the object
or character, itself?
Prompt: Break it down
 Consider Richard
Parker as a symbol.
What does Richard
Parker symbolize?
 Richard Parker is more
than just a tiger.
 What ideas does Richard
Parker represent?
Richard Parker = Symbol
Richard Parker as a SYMBOL
Survival Skills
The “Wild”
The beast;
inhuman
Insatiable
Hunger
“the
animal
inside”
Predator
Ability to kill
Can be tamed /
controlled
Ferociousness/
savagery
Rephrase as a question:
 What does Richard Parker reveal about the theme
of the novel?
You will need to discuss the following in your essay:
 What is the theme of the novel? AND
 How does Richard Parker reveal that theme?
Theme
 Remember that a theme is a statement that reveals a
truth – a truth about life, humanity, society, the world,
etc.
 Theme should be conveyed as a thematic statement
(not just a topic), so think of a complete sentence –
not one word.
 A theme should be universal. This means it can be
applied to other books, films, poems, etc. It will not
include specifics like character’s names, plot details.
Theme – an example from Landscape with the
Fall of Icarus
NOT a theme:
Theme!
 Death
 In Landscape with the Fall of
Icarus, Brueghel reveals that
life continues on, even in the
face of death.
 Death is a “thematic idea”
or “topic,” but not a
“thematic statement.”
 What is the painting saying
about death? What is the
overall message?
 Notice that this is a
complete sentence! It is a
statement about what the
artist is communicating
about the idea of death.
Thesis Statement
 Your thesis is a 1-2 sentence statement that declares the
purpose of your essay. In analytical essays, you are typically
trying to persuade the reader that your analysis of the tone
or theme is supported by the text. In a timed writing, your
thesis should address the prompt.
 Thesis Template:
 In Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Richard Parker
the idea Richard Parker represents
symbolizes ____________________________________,
thematic statement
revealing ______________________________________.
1 Possible Organization Strategy
 I. One sentence opening + Thesis Statement
 II. Paragraph #1: Answer Question 1 (What does RP
symbolize? ) Flesh out the paragraph by explaining
how literary devices in the text establish the symbol.
 III. Paragraph #2, 3, etc.: Answer Question 2 with
multiple examples (What does the symbol reveal about
the theme?) Be sure to refer to moments from the
passage (or other places in the novel) that support your
claim.
Scoring Notes
 AP essays are graded on a 9 point scale. An 8 or 9 is very
difficult to achieve as a sophomore writer; an appropriate
goal would be earning in the 5-7 range at this point in the
year.
 Essays that only summarize the plot will score a 1 or 2 (on
that 9 point scale). Your essay must involve some level of
analysis (not summary!) to be minimally successful.
 Lack of evidence will result in a score of 3 or lower. You
must incorporate direct quotations from the passage and
embed them into your response to earn a 4 or higher.
Scaffolding:
Since this is my first timed writing of
10th grade, what “lucky charms” can I bring to class to
help me out?
Typically you will only have the prompt and the passage
in front of you, but THIS TIME…
 you have seen the prompt ahead of time.
 you may bring your copy of Life of Pi to find additional
supporting evidence.
 you may bring ONE SHEET OF NOTEBOOK PAPER
(with notes from this ppt, a draft of your thesis, and
any other planning ideas – writing on only one side of
the piece of paper) to use as an aid during the timed
writing.