Using Elements of Literature
To successfully analyze literature, you’ll need to remember that authors make specific choices for particular reasons.
Your essay should point out the author’s choices and attempt to explain their significance.
Choose 3 of the Literary Elements below and analyze the author's choices surrounding the use of that element. You must write and argue an original claim about the work, supporting that claim with the literary choices made by the author.
For example, In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore through figurative language, characterization, and symbolism.”
Your Essay Should look like this:
Here is the Essay Outline:
MLA Format
Insert header (Last name PG number)
1st page only:
Student Name
Instructor Name
Course
Date
Double Space Font Size 12 Times New Roman
Title (represents author’s purpose)(center of document)
I. Introduction (1 paragraph)
Catch your audience's attention and orient your audience with background info/ SHORT synopsis of novel, state your claim, and list your 3 supporting ideas; Transition
II. Body (3 paragraphs)
A. Supporting Idea/ Literary Element 1; In text Citation; Transition
B. Supporting Idea/ Literary Element 2; In text Citation; Transition
C. Supporting Idea/ Literary Element 3; In text Citation; Transition
III. Counterclaim; Transition (1 paragraph)
IV. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
V. MLA Works Cited Page (Last Page of Essay)
EXAMPLE ESSAYS FROM CLASS:
5th "The Most Dangerous Game"
Introduction
Running through the dark and mysterious jungle, being hunted from behind, Rainsford is scared for his life! Wondering what he should do next, he begins to consider life as he knows it. He is the huntee and General Zaroff is the hunter. In "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell, 2 characters are playing a serious game of cat and mouse. The author uses the dialogue of these two characters to create a suspenseful setting with a serious tone and fearful mood. On a desolate island, we meet General Zaroff in a mansion fit for a King.
Paragraph 2
At the beginning of the story, we are first introduced to the setting: the eerie island known as "Shiptrap Island." This information is revealed in the original dialogue of the story between Rainsford and his ship mate Whitney. After readers discover of this information, the stage is set for the rest of the story. Following Rainsford's arrival on the island, after he fell from his ship, he finds a large mansion remarking that, "Yet, about it all, hung an air of unreality" (Connell 43). These realizations set a precedent for the remainder of the story in that the setting is frequently introduced through dialogue.
Paragraph 3
"The Cossack was the cat: he was the mouse. Then is was Rainsford that knew the full menaing of terror" (Connell 54). Quotes like these help to establish the seriousness of the story. In life and death situations humor and light heartedness are not commonly used. Connell captures the hunt and the seriousness of it with words like "terror" to show Rainsford's fear. Connell also uses the mood to tell the story.
Paragraph 4
Connell sets a fearful and suspenseful mood throughout the gamut of the story. He uses descriptive adjectives and imagery to provoke the reader's senses. When Zaroff says to Rainsford, "Here in my preserve on this island... I hunt more dangerous game" (Connell 47), the reader becomes nervous of the General. The audience is also in a mood of suspense and fear. The author achieves his purpose of creating a scary mood, even though some disagree.
Paragraph 5
Although this short story is praised for its characterization, some readers claim that the two main characters do not create suspense. However, through powerful dialogue, readers see that Zaroff is a crazed hunter and Rainsford is a man of morals. Rainsford states, "Thank You, I am a hunter, not a murderer" (Connell 49). Connell also uses many other methods to characterize these men in a way that creates suspense.
Paragraph 6
The dialogue of Rainsford and Zaroff in Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game" gives the story a suspenseful setting with a serious tone and fearful mood. The suspenseful setting is shown through the desolate island and eerie mansion. The author's serious tone is created through powerful dialogue, and the fearful mood is developed by the game itself. "The Most Dangerous Game" uses a variety of literary elements that enhance the story and excite the reader.
2nd "The Necklace"
Introduction
"Before the mirror, she let the wraps fall from her shoulders to see her self once again in all of her glory. Suddenly she gave a cry. The necklace was gone (Maupassant 31)." In the short story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, the reader meets a young married couple of middle class. However, unhappy with her stature, the young wife wants more. Actually, she believes she deserves more than what her husband can provide. Mme. Loisel's greed is portrayed through symbols in the story. The author characterizes her as vain and shallow and uses the necklace as a symbol of her lust for wealth. Through characterization, setting, and symbolism the author creates a timeless theme of greed.
Paragraph 2
Each character in "The Necklace" possesses greed or does nothing to stop the greedy acts of others. Mme. Loisel's greed is constantly unchecked and that leads to the destruction of her entire life. "She so longed to pleased, be envied, be fascinating and sought after (Maupassant 28)." Mme. Loisel's life is dictated by her need to be seen and admired even if she is unable to afford and maintain that illusion. Monsieur Loisel only adds to the fire by giving her the money she wants to buy frivolous things. Madame Frostier also portrays greed through maintaining the idea that the necklace is only crystal, not diamond. Not only do the Loisel's characters showcase greed, but the setting, France in the early 1700s, also conveys the greed of two two classes: the rich and the poor.
Paragraph 3
Set in a time where the rich are the rich and the poor are nothing, "The Necklace" portrays one couples eternal need for status and wealth. "There is nothing more humiliating than to look poor among a lot of rich __________ (Maupassant 30)," explains Mme. Loisel, as she expresses her discontent with her lack of nice things. The author uses this quote to illustrate her insecurity around rich people. In the mid 18th century, Paris, France had a great imbalance in social structure. The continual drive to be apart of the upper class is a theme that is very relative to society in 2016. The Loisel's were apart of the poor class of citizens that allowed their greed and want for nicer things to ruin their lives, as shown through the necklace that Madame Frostier loans to MMe. Loisel to wear to the party so that she will feel "richer" among the rich.
Paragraph 4
"All at once she found, in a black satin box, a superb diamond necklace... clasping it around her throat... she stood in ecstasy looking at her reflection (Maupassant 30)."
Paragraph 5
However, some readers may disagree that the necklace represents MMe. Loisel's greed. There may be some content to suggest that the necklace stands for her vanity. For example, "it's embarrassing not to have a jewel or a gem- nothing to wear on my dress (Maupassant 30)" shows that MMe. Loisel needs precious stones to feel beautiful. It's true: her vanity plays a part. Yet, her vanity is what fuels the greater characterization, greed. Mme. always wants what she cannot have and perhaps beauty is one of those things.
Paragraph 6
The author uses MMe. Loisel and the necklace to create a sense of greed using characterization, setting, and symbolism. THrough her selfish actions, MMe. Loisel is characterized as a shallow character while Mr. Loisel does all he can for his wife and can be characterized as selfless and tolerant. Through the setting, the reader can see that greed is prevalent in 1700s France just as it is today. Symbolism is heavy in this story. The necklace itself symbolizes lust, want, and desire. "The Necklace" is a prime example of how people will always want more, no matter how well off they are.
WORKS CITED
Notes:
1. Alphabetize by author's last name
2. Double Space
3. Hanging Indent
4. Last Page of Your Essay
Book with One Author
Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. New York: Penguin, 1987. Print.
Henley, Patricia. The Hummingbird House. Denver: MacMurray, 1999. Print.
Book with More Than One Author
The first given name appears in last name, first name format; subsequent author names appear in first name last name format.
Gillespie, Paula, and Neal Lerner. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Peer Tutoring. Boston: Allyn, 2000. Print.
Your Works Cited Page MUST look like this:
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