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Dissecting a Challenging Prompt/Text�&�Writing the Perfect Introduction

AP Lit & Comp

2018 Free Response

Question #2: Prose Excerpt

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Key Points at a Glance

Dissect the prompt identifying key words or phrases you must keep in mind and/or place in your introduction.

Survey the text/prompt for any dates or clues to the literary movement.

Survey the text for any footnotes & annotate.

Survey the text/prompt for any background information on the text.

Identify key word/phrase in prompt & brainstorm 1-2 synonyms

Choose 1-2 literary devices & be precise/specific.

Develop an interesting and original So What?

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Dissecting the Prompt: �2018 Prose Prompt

Identify key words or phrases you must keep in mind and/or place in your introduction.

Hawthorne

Narrator’s attitude (“bewildered” “malevolent”)

Zenobia

Literary techniques/devices

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Literary Movement

Survey the text/prompt for any dates or clues to the literary movement

1852 (Hawthorne--Betrayal & Guilt)
Victorian
Equality, women in society
Social status/norms
Conservative resistance to change

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Footnotes

Survey the text for any footnotes & annotate

*Hollingsworth= a charismatic member of the Blithedale community who assumes a leadership position

FYI: Blithe (adj)- happy/joyous or cheerful indifference

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Background Information

Survey the text/prompt for any background information on the text.

2 characters who have been living on Blithedale farm

Blithedale is a rural communal dedicated to equality

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Synonyms to Avoid Repetition

Narrator’s attitude:

Attitude

Disposition

Demeanor

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Be Precise & Specific w/ Lit Devices

Choose 1-2 literary devices and be precise/specific

Not diction but arrogant, resentful, aggressive, sardonic, sarcastic, etc. diction

Not setting but rural, pastoral, communal, rustic, bucolic, etc. setting

Not point of view but limited, omniscient, 1^st person, unreliable, angry, disappointed, closed-minded etc. point of view

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So What?

Say something original!

Say something new/interesting!

Make salient/poignant connections to life lessons!

Avoid Cliché’

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HTS

Hook (optional)

Thesis

So What?

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ATDS

Author

Title

Device(s)

So What?

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Mr. Thom’s Introduction

Resistance to change: whether it’s the Victorian Age or today, people often, not only oppose, but also resent change. Yet, change simply indicates growth and development, which in an ideal world, would be honored and celebrated. This, however, is typically not the reality as it pertains to change, and it’s certainly not the scenario that Mr. Hawthorne depicts in this excerpt. Providing the reader with a rural/communal setting that is dedicated to “equality,” juxtaposed with a narrator whose point of view is stunted with a range of resentful emotions towards Zenobia, Hawthorne provides the reader with a scene designed to elucidate that when one resists the natural progression of socio-emotional growth, a profound amount of stress is placed upon relationships, and often results in the unnecessary demise of close connections.