HONORS ENGLISH 9

April 7, 2020

Hello!

Please open your “Cask” Essay Feedback Wkst & your “Cask” essay.

You should be able to fill it out as you watch this video.

1.

PROSE FICTION ANALYSIS

a quick review

What is prose fiction analysis?

It is...

• looking at how the author uses different writing techniques to create meaning
• going below the surface of the story
• focusing on little details and connections

It is not...

• retelling the plot of the story
• restating self-explanatory, surface details of the story
• evaluating the story or the author (saying whether they are good or bad)

What are the writing techniques I can analyze?

• We also call these “literary devices”
• These can be anything that you see in the text that you think the author did on purpose to create a deeper meaning
• Some common literary devices that we’ve studied:
• Setting (including weather, color, buildings, etc.)
• Diction (author’s choice of words)
• Syntax (arrangement of words and punctuation)
• Symbolism

What are the most important things to remember when doing prose fiction analysis?

• ANSWER THE PROMPT
• You can have amazing analysis that no one has ever thought of before, but if it doesn’t answer the prompt, it doesn’t count
• STAY AWAY FROM PLOT SUMMARY
• If you find yourself retelling what happened in the story, stop and ask, “What’s important about HOW the author wrote this scene?”

2.

“Cask” Essay Feedback

Three Tips

Tip #1: Double Check Name Spelling

• It is not a good first impression on your reader if you spell the author or character’s names incorrectly, especially in your intro
• Edgar Allan Poe (not “Allen”)
• Montresor (not “Montressor”)
• Fortunato (not “Fortunado”)
• The names are spelled for you in the prompt and passage--take the time to proofread

Tip #2: Start with a Sentence of Summary

• The first sentence of your intro paragraph should be a summary of the passage, not your thesis
• This helps prove to your reader that you did, in fact, read and understand the passage
• It is also a good place to introduce any characters you are going to be discussing in your essay
• Your thesis will then be the last sentence in your intro paragraph

Tip #2:Examples

• Lack of summary sentence:

In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe uses competitive diction and repetition to reveal Montresor’s egotistical personality and his lack of remorse for his actions.

• Effective summary sentence:

“The Cask of Amontillado” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe in which a man named Montresor recalls the events of the day he murdered Fortunato, a man who prided himself in his knowledge of wine. Poe makes use of syntax and vivid setting to uncover Montresor’s true identity and to show how his actions bring on his anxiety.

Tip #3: Strive for Multiple Connections

• It is really difficult to build an effective argument on one piece of evidence
• If possible, you want to have multiple pieces of evidence in every body paragraph
• If you can’t have multiple pieces of evidence, then you should try to have multiple points to make about the one piece of evidence you have

Tip #3: Examples

• Lack of multiple connections:

​

Poe uses syntax, namely dashes, to show how Montresor feels guilt for his actions but doesn’t want to admit it. After he has finished bricking Fortunato into the wall, Montresor says that his “heart grew sick,” but he quickly explains it away by blaming it on “the dampness of the catacombs.” The dashes that separate those phrases show that he hesitated, though, and the “dampness” is just a cover-up of the guilt he really feels.

Tip #3: Examples

• Use of multiple connections:

Poe utilizes dialogue and descriptions to reveal Montresors remorse for killing Fortunato, yet he doesn’t want to admit it. As Fortunato nearly finalizes his project of building the wall, he yearns to hear a reply from Fortunato. He calls out “Fortunato!” but gets no reply, and then again he yells his name. This shouting, hoping for some resolution, shows us how Montresor had doubts about his actions, feeling somewhat badly for Fortunato. After not hearing anything, he finally finished the wall, stating that his “heart grew sick--on account of the dampness of the catacombs.” Montresor says he “hastened to make an end” of his work. His want to be done with everything and the “sick” feeling he then possessed depicts his true feeling of deep regret. He tries to say that this feeling is derived from the ugly feeling of the catacombs, which shows as an example of him not admitting his remorse. Another way he shows remorse is in the fact that he is sharing the story at all. He is getting all of this - the situation he wishes didn’t happen - off of his chest. Montresor’s true feeling of regret is displayed in his sad remarks.

final directions

Complete the rest of your feedback worksheet.

Due Thursday before you begin Essay #3.

​

Questions? Email me or chat me on Google Hangouts.