Writing About Short Stories and Poetry

Assignment

Part 1: Character and Point of View

For Part 1 of the exam, you’ll analyze the characterization and point of view used in three short stories: “A&P” by John Updike, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and “Lust” by Susan Minot.

Preparation

Step 1.  In your textbook, review “Reading Fiction,” “Writing about Fiction,” and “Reading and the Writing Process.”

Step 2 . Review the chapters “Character” and “Point of View” in your Introduction to Literature textbook. Also, reread the summary and analysis of these chapters and short stories in this study guide.

Step 3.  Reread “A&P,” “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and “Lust.” Take detailed notes as you reread. Ask yourself the following questions:

· Who tells the story?

· Is the narrator reliable and objective?

· Are the characters flat characters or round characters?

· How does the author reveal characters?

Answering these questions will help you as you draft your own analysis of the characters and perspectives in these stories.

Assignment

For Part 1, write 400–500 words analyzing characterization and point of view in “A&P,” “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and “Lust.” The main characters in each of these stories are young people coming of age. Compare and contrast the author’s techniques in developing each character. How does the perspective of each story enhance our understanding of each character’s personality? Be sure to refer to specific points in each story to support your analysis. You must use at least two quotes in your response.

Part 2: Style, Tone, and Theme

For Part 2 of this project, you’ll either (1) discuss how style and tone function in “Killings” by Andre Dubus and “Famine” by Xu Xi or (2) identify and analyze the theme of “Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver and “Janus” by Ann Beattie.

Preparation

Step 1.  Review the chapters “Style, Tone and Irony” and “Theme” in your Introduction to Literature textbook. Also, reread the summary and analysis of these chapters and short stories in this study guide.

Step 2.  Reread “Killings,” “Famine,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Janus.” Take detailed notes as you reread. Ask yourself the following questions:

· Does each character have a distinct voice?

· What kind of sentences is the author using? Are they short and simple, long and complex, or some combination?

· What’s the underlying mood in the story?

· What’s the theme? Is there more than one?

Assignment

Choose one of the following activities and write 400–500 words providing the required analysis. Include sufficient support from the story for your analysis and conclusions. You must use at least two quotes in your response. You’ll use standard essay format.

1. Analyze the style and tone in “Killings” and “Famine.” What techniques does the author use to establish the mood of the story? How does language contribute to tone? Compare and contrast how diction, voice, and irony affect the way each story is told.

2. Analyze the themes of “Popular Mechanics” and “Janus.” What do you believe are the themes for these stories? Compare how theme is developed through the plots and characters of each story.

Part 3: Poetry

For Part 3 of this project, you’ll either (1) analyze how word choice, tone, and images function in “The Schoolroom on the Second Floor of the Knitting Mill” by Judy Page Heitzman and “The Supremes” by Cornelius Eady or (2) evaluate the symbol, allegory, irony, and figures of speech found in “Schizophrenia” by Jim Stevens and “The Joy of Cooking” by Elaine Magarrell.

Preparation

Step 1.  In your textbook, review “Reading Poetry,” “Writing about Poetry,” and “Reading and the Writing Process.”

Step 2 . Review the chapters “Word Choice, Word Order, and Tone,” “Images,” “Figures of Speech,” and “Symbol, Allegory, and Irony” in your Introduction to Literature textbook. Also, reread the summary and analysis of these chapters and short stories in this study guide.

Step 3.  Reread “The Supremes,” “The Schoolroom on the Second Floor of the Knitting Mill,” “Schizophrenia,” and “The Joy of Cooking.” Take detailed notes as you reread. Ask yourself the following questions:

· Is the language of the poem intense and concentrated? Do you think it warrants more than one or two close readings?

· Are any words repeated? Why?

· How do the figures of speech make the speaker’s meaning more vivid?

· What’s the underlying tone of the poem? What’s the speaker’s attitude?

Assignment

Choose one of the following activities and write 400–500 words providing the required analysis. Include sufficient support from the poem for your analysis and conclusions. You must use at least two quotes in your response. You’ll use standard essay format. Be sure to work through the writing process outlined in your textbook, use MLA for textual and works-cited documentation, and apply standard written conventions.

1. Analyze the word choice, tone, and images found in “The Supremes” and “The Schoolroom on the Second Floor of the Knitting Mill.” How do the authors capture the experience of being in school? What words and images in each poem help convey the tone? Explain how these elements of each poem work together to create a familiar/recognizable impression on the reader.

2. Analyze the symbol, allegories, irony, and figures of speech found in “Schizophrenia” and “The Joy of Cooking.” How do figures of speech enhance each poem’s meaning? Remember to not just identify the kind of language being used but to also analyze the significance behind this language.