Choose from ONE of the following prompts below and respond in a way that thoroughly answers all
parts of the prompt.
1. An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. A satisfactory ending is
not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to
abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In an essay, explain precisely how and why
the ending of a novel or play appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not
merely summarize the plot.
1. In literary works, cruelty often functions as a crucial motivation or a major social or political
factor. Select a novel, play, or epic poem in which acts of cruelty are important to the theme.
Then write a well-developed essay analyzing how cruelty functions in the work as a whole and
what the cruelty reveals about the perpetrator and/or victim. *Can not use Othello if you select
this one!*
1. Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated
from that culture or society because of gender, race, class or creed. Choose a play or novel in
which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character’s alienation reveals
the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values.
1. Many works of literature contain a character who intentionally deceives others. The character’s
dishonesty may be intended either to help or to hurt. Such a character, for example, may choose
to mislead others for personal safety, to spare someone’s feelings, or to carry out a crime.
Choose a novel or play in which a character deceives others. Then, in a well-written essay,
analyze the motives for that character’s deception and discuss how the deception contributes to
the meaning of the work as a whole.
1. In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit
that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized
essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid
plot summary.
Sample Prompt
In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Either from your own reading or from the
list below, choose a work of fiction in which the reader is confronted with a scene or scenes of violence.
Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how the scene or scenes contribute(s) to an interpretation of the
work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
© 1982.The College Board. Visit the College Board on the web: collegeboard.org.
Steps Example
Step 1:
Identify any universal ideas that are in the
prompt. There may be multiple. Remember,
these are abstract topics.
Also identify any literary elements that the prompt
may ask you to focus on. (Setting, Symbols,
Movements, Conflict, Protagonists, Antagonists,
ect.) ← Not all prompts ask for this second
part. In fact, most prompts are thematically
driven as opposed to element driven.
Violence
Step 2:
Pick a book you have read that relates to the
universal idea(s) and literary topic(s) of the
prompt. Identify the Title, Author, and Genre of
that book.
T: Of Mice and Men
A: John Steinbeck
G: Novella
Step 3:
Identify all of the ambiguous elements you need
to clarify in order to specifically respond to the
prompt. You’ll want to start by looking for the
language “choose a work of fiction…” and go from
there. Each time you find language that you could
Questions:
1. What work of fiction?
clarify with elements from the book you choose,
highlight it.
Then create “What” questions to answer based on
the ambiguous language in the prompt that you
will clarify with actual elements from your book of
choice.
1. What violent scene or scenes?
1. What is the interpretation of the work as
a whole? (textual and universal)
1. In what ways do/es the violent scene(s)
contribute to the interpretation of the
work as a whole?
Step 4:
Generally answer all of the questions stated in
step three.
Make sure to identify the “interpretation of the
book as a whole” on two levels: the textual
understanding, and the universal understanding
(universal insight).
Textual:
2. Carlson Killing Candy’s Dog and George
Killing Lennie
3/4. These scenes highlight how much the
characters care and are willing to
sacrifice for their companions
Universal:
True companionship often requires immense
sacrifice.
Step 5: Option 1: (Concentrated)
Produce a thesis that includes all of the above
information.
Consider using the template below:
In the ____(Genre)___ ___(Title)___, ___(Author’s
Name)___ presents ___(Literary element(s)
pertaining to the prompt 2x-3x)__ in order to
___(Answer to Conquer (textual understanding),
ultimately illustrating that (universal
idea) (specific insight about the idea based on the
literary elements).
In the novella, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck
presents two mercy killings in order showcase
the deep care that the characters involved
shared for one another, ultimately illustrating
that companionship often requires immense
sacrifice.
Option 2: (Extended)
In the novella, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck
presents the euthanizing of a pet and the
purposeful killing of a friend in order to
showcase the deep care that the characters
involved shared for one another, ultimately
illustrating that companionship often requires
immense sacrifice.