Theme & Central Idea
Guilt and paranoia destroy a person and lead to confession.
What is the central idea of The Tell-Tale Heart?
“I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell.”
What is text evidence that the narrator in The Tell-Tale Heart feels guilty?
A figurative language type that compares two things using “like” or “as.”
What is a simile?
What does RACES stand for?
Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain/Example, Summarize.
The main argument or statement that an author tries to prove.
What is a claim?
The narrator’s grief over Lenore grows into obsession and despair.
How does The Raven show the theme of grief?
“He had traveled a long distance without thinking about the dangers of the cold.”
What sentence shows the man underestimated nature in To Build a Fire?
Simile and imagery.
What two figurative language types appear in the line: “The stones seemed to glisten like evil diamonds”?
The Modern Language Association format is used in academic essays.
What is MLA format?
Facts, statistics, quotes, and examples.
What types of evidence support a claim?
Both stories explore destructive obsession—guilt in one story and grief in the other.
What is the comparison between the themes of The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven?
The man is likely in serious danger and may not survive.
What inference can be made from the line: “The man built a fire, but it faltered in the wind”?
A poetic device where the same sound is used as in other words.
What is alliteration?
A Works Cited page listing all sources used.
What page lists sources in a research paper?
Examples of inventions like the iPhone or iPod.
What evidence best supports the claim that Steve Jobs changed technology?
Humans may blindly follow rules, be consumed by fear, or become obsessed, which drives conflict in stories.
What is a theme shared across Coraline, The Lottery, and The Tell-Tale Heart?
The pause builds suspense and signals that the announcement is important.
Why did Steve Jobs pause before announcing the new product?
It helps create imagery, mood, and deeper meaning for readers.
Why is figurative language important in literature?
12-point Times New Roman.
What font and size are typically used in MLA format?
Because it relies on personal opinion instead of strong evidence.
Why is the claim “Steve Jobs was the best leader because my friend thinks so” weak?
A paragraph explaining that the theme of Coraline is courage because Coraline confronts the Other Mother despite fear.
What is a RACES response explaining the theme of Coraline?
Examples such as the iPhone, iPod, and Mac computer.
What evidence supports the claim that Steve Jobs was an innovator?
Dark imagery that creates a gloomy, mysterious, melancholic mood.
What is imagery contributing to the mood of The Raven?
Author’s last name and page number in parentheses, such as (Poe 3).
What is an MLA in-text citation?
A paragraph explaining that the man ignored warnings, lacked supplies, and therefore was not prepared for the extreme cold.
What is an OREO response explaining whether the man in To Build a Fire was prepared?