Strategies
In addition to annotating for complexities and theme, you should also annotate passages/poems for _________ to get the gist of the text.
What is main idea?
There are _______ questions you should ask yourself when drafting your analysis.
What are three?
In Victor Hernández Cruz’s poem “Two Guitars,” published in 2001, the speaker imagines that two guitars are alive and engaging in conversation about their musical experiences. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Hernández Cruz uses literary elements and techniques to convey a complex portrayal of the guitars’ musical world.
How does Hernández Cruz use literary elements and techniques to convey a complex portrayal of the guitars’ musical world?
Many works of literature feature a character who may be reluctant to make a decision, unable to make a decision, or is resistant to doing so. This indecision can have broader implications for that character or other characters. Such implications may include changes to a character’s relationships, social and/or financial stability, well-being, or any other aspects of the character’s existence.
Either from your own reading or from the list below, choose a work of fiction in which a character delays or avoids making a decision. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how the impact of this indecision contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
How does the impact of this character's indecision contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole?
OR
How does the impact of this character's indecision contribute to the theme of the work.
This character started of life isolated in a kolba, but ended their life gruesomely, yet liberated.
Who is Mariam?
Passages and poems should be annotated __________, due to time constraints.
What is quickly?
Your analysis should be this, not the obvious.
What is insightful?
In Colleen McElroy’s poem “Monologue for Saint Louis,” published in 1980, the speaker returns to her childhood home in St. Louis, Missouri, after an extended absence and contemplates how she has changed. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how McElroy uses literary elements and techniques to convey the speaker’s complex experience of returning home.
How does McElroy uses literary elements and techniques to convey the speaker’s complex experience of returning home?
Many works of literature explore a character’s sense of lacking something important in life. The character perceives an unfulfilled need which may be emotional, spiritual, financial, or something the character does not understand or cannot articulate.
Either from your own reading or from the following list, choose a work of fiction in which such a feeling is explored. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how the character’s sense of an unfulfilled need contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot
How does the character’s sense of an unfulfilled need contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole?
OR
How does the character’s sense of an unfulfilled need contribute to the theme of the work?
This character's story was full of idealism, but at the end, they realized the world should be approached more pragmatically?
Who is James Gatz/Jay Gatsby?
When selecting a MC answer, you should only select what can be supported by this.
What is evidence?
This is the first question you should ask yourself when drafting your analysis.
What is learned?
In George Moses Horton’s poem “On Summer,” published in 1829, the author describes multiple aspects of summer in a rural area. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Horton uses literary elements and techniques to develop a complex portrayal of the setting.
How does Horton use literary elements and techniques to develop a complex portrayal of the setting?
In many works of literature, characters choose to reinvent themselves for significant reasons. They may wish to separate from a previous identity, gain access to a different community, disguise themselves from hostile forces, or express a more authentic sense of self.
Either from your own reading or from the following list, choose a work of fiction in which a character intentionally creates a new identity. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how the character’s reinvention contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole.
How does the character’s reinvention contribute to an interpretation of the work as a whole?
OR
How does the character’s reinvention contribute to the theme of the work?
Who is Tita?
You should focus on these two things when planning a Q1 and Q2.
What are complexities and theme?
This is the second question you should ask yourself when drafting your analysis.
Why does that matter?
In John Rollin Ridge’s poem “To a Star Seen at Twilight,” published in 1868, the speaker admires a solitary star shining at twilight and considers its significance. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Ridge uses literary elements and techniques to convey the speaker’s complex reflection on the star.
How does Ridge uses literary elements and techniques to convey the speaker’s complex reflection on the star?
Many works of literature feature a rebel character who changes or disrupts the existing state of societal, familial, or political affairs in the text. They may break social norms, challenge long-held values, subvert expectations, or participate in other forms of resistance. The character’s motivation for this rebellious behavior is often complex.
Either from your own reading or from the list below, choose a work of fiction in which a character changes or disrupts the existing state of societal, familial, or political affairs. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how the complex motivation of the rebel contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole.
How does the complex motivation of the rebel contribute to an interpretation of the work as a whole?
OR
How does the complex motivation of the rebel contribute to the theme of the work?
We thought this character stood on business, until she ironically married it.
Who is Elizabeth Bennet?
When you encounter unknown words, you should use these to figure out its meaning.
What are context clues?
This is the final question you should ask yourself when drafting your analysis.
What is the message?
In Richard Blanco’s poem “Shaving,” published in 1998, the speaker writes about the act of shaving. Read the poem carefully. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how Blanco uses literary elements and techniques to develop the speaker’s complex associations with the ritual of shaving.
How does Blanco uses literary elements and techniques to develop the speaker’s complex associations with the ritual of shaving?
In many works of fiction houses take on symbolic importance. Such houses may be literal houses or unconventional ones (e.g., hotels, monasteries, or boats).
Either from your own reading or from the list below, choose a work of fiction in which a literal or unconventional house serves as a significant symbol. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze how this house contributes to an interpretation of the work as a whole.
How does this house contribute to an interpretation of the work as a whole?
OR
How does this house contribute to the theme of the work?
She went from resisting on the pages, to resisting in the kitchen.
Who is Celie?