Theme Analysis Paper

Due Date: ____________

-Technicalities: _
FOLLOW TOOTSIE ROLL PAPER
FORMAT, YUCK LIST, ETC FOR HELP!
-The essay will have
1. An introduction that is 4-5 sentences long using the
Introduction Paragraph Basics. It must contain a thesis
statement (the last sentence in the paragraph) that is
UNDERLINED which thoroughly addresses your given topic.
Make sure that you follow the required format of a literary
thesis statement.
2. Two (2) body paragraphs that provide support to the
thesis.
3. At least 4 quotation incorporations for the entire
paper ONE PER EV PER PARAGRAPH (use the Quotation
Journal packet for further assistance)
4. Your Quotation Journal, along with all the leg work, must
be completed in its entirety and turned in with your essay
-Additional Requirements:
-Creative Title of essay
-TYPED!
-The proper heading and title must be at the top of your final
copy.
(goes at the top left hand corner)
-YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY
ELECTRONICALLY VIA EDMODO ON THE DAY THAT IT IS DUE;
NO EXCUSES; NOT EVEN IF YOU ARE ABSENT. ALL OF THE
LEGWORK WILL BE COLLECTED THE DAY THAT IT IS DUE.

Essay Topics:
You will be required to analyze how the author uses
literary elements to develop the overarching theme of the
story.
What you will need to know:
1) What literary devices are used throughout
the story? (use more than the index card - use
page ___ in your INB)
2) What is the overarching theme of the story
and what does it say about society/human
beings/what it is trying to teach us? [there can be
a variety of themes; however, you will pick the one
that makes the most sense to you remember a
theme is a common idea or thread which runs
throughout the story]
3) How does the authors use of literary
devices to convey the overarching theme?
4) How do the characters actions contribute
to conveying the theme?
SHORT STORY OPTIONS:
-The Cask of Amontillado

-The Scarlet Ibis

-Lamb to the Slaughter

Prewriting: Breakdown of Each Short Story with Theme

When finished, star * your story selection

The Cask of Amontillado

Lamb to the Slaughter

The Scarlet Ibis

Theme Analysis Essay Planning Process: Short Story: _____________________________________

Possible Quotation Options (Taken from Theme Mapping):
**Note - you cannot repeat literary devices**
Paragraph 1 ASS Topic: Causes Doodles Death_________________________________
Q1: Dead birds is bad luck; said Aunt Nicey, poking her head from the
kitchen door. Specialty red dead birds!

Q2: Trembling, hed push himself up, turning red first, then a soft
purple, and finally collapse back onto the bed like an old worn-out doll.

Lit Device: Foreshadowing

Lit Device: Simile

Q3: For a long time, it seemed forever, I lay there crying, sheltering my
fallen scarlet ibis from the heresy of rain.

Q4: He lay very awkwardly, with his head thrown far back, making his
vermilion neck appear unusually long and slim.

Lit Device: Symbolism

Lit Device: Death Imagery

Paragraph 2 ASS Topic: Personal Gain ____________________
Quotation Options:

Q1: They did not know that I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I
was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked
only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother.

Q2: I should have admitted defeat, but my pride wouldnt let me.

Lit Device: Direct Characterization + Foreshadowing

Lit Device:Personification

Q3: It was too late to turn back, for we had both wandered too far into
a net of expectations and left no crumbs behind.

Q4: I did not know then that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed
that bears two vines, life and death.

Lit Device: Allusion

Lit Device: Metaphor