Grade 9 Literary Essay

Techniques and the Creation of Literature

Literature is created by an author using specific writing techniques; otherwise referred to as literary
devices. Different books typically develop different devices. While one book may focus on conflict and
symbolism, another may focus on character and theme.

When you write this literary essay, discuss one main focus supported by 4 quotes.

Part 1 – Choosing your Main Focus – What you are trying to prove?

For the purpose of this essay, you will choose ONE of the following as the focus:

1.) Character  Theme

How does Melinda change throughout the novel? Track Melinda’s growth from Marking Periods
1-4. What can readers learn from how she changed? This is the theme that you will expose in
your conclusion.
2.) Motif  Theme
What is a motif that reoccurs throughout the novel? Track key references from Marking Periods
1-4. What topic is the motif connected to? What do readers learn about the topic by the end of the
novel? This is the theme that you will expose in your conclusion.

Part 2 – Collect your Evidence

Collect a quote to support your focus from each of the Marking Periods. Use your Quotes Journal to
record and analyze. You should notice that by Marking Periods 3 or 4 that your quotes shift in tone – they
will probably go from more pessimistic to more optimistic…if they don’t – please conference with me so
we can discuss why that might be.

For your analysis, take notice of any underlying technique being used.

For instance, are any of the following techniques used?

 Imagery (what kind?)

 effective/unique choice of diction
 effective use of punctuation
 unique use of dialogue
 character’s actions
 symbolism
 tone
 character’s thoughts
  etc.

After your Quotes Journal is filled out you are ready to start thinking about your Introduction to your
essay.

Part 3 – Create your Thesis Statement

Now you can create a thesis statement by filling in your focus and techniques explored. Here is a sample
sentence:

A.) CHARACTER:

The character of_______________ (focus) is revealed through _________________ (supporting

technique 1), ____________________(supporting technique 2),
_______________________(supporting technique 3) and _______________________(supporting
technique 4) in the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

OR

B. ) MOTIF:

AUTHOR’s NAME uses the motif of______________________________________ (focus) in her

novel Speak to reveal an important idea about ___________________ (topic). Techniques such as
_________________(supporting technique 1), _____________________________(supporting
technique 2), _______________________(supporting technique 3)
and_________________________(supporting technique 4) help draw attention to the motif and
encourage readers to consider its importance in the development of Melinda’s story.

Examples:

A.) CHARACTER:
The character of Jack (focus) is revealed through visual imagery (supporting technique 1), harsh
diction (supporting technique 2), symbolism (supporting technique 3) and internal conflict
(supporting technique 4) in the novel The Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

B.) MOTIF:
Sylvia Plath uses the motif of water (focus) in her semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar to
reveal an important idea about identity (topic). Techniques such as visual imagery and casual
diction (supporting techniques) help draw attention to the motif and encourage readers to
consider its importance in the development of Esther’s story.
GATHERING INFORMATION:
An Example:

Focus: __ Johnny __ (character or motif)

Supporting Technique: ___Symbolism – switchblade ___ (underlying technique that helps to reveal something about the
character or motif)

Context of Quote: At the Drive-Inn at the start of the story; Ponyboy was getting snacks with Cherry, and they were along
talking about Dally and Johnny. Cherry was asking lots of questions, and Ponyboy started telling the story of Johnny getting
jumped by a bunch of Socs, and the result of that beating.

Record the quote:

“But after the night of the beating, Johnny was jumpier than ever. I didn’t think he’d ever get over it. Johnny never walked by
himself after that. And Johnny, who was the most law-abiding of us, now carried in his back pocket a six-inch switchblade.
He’d use it too, if he ever got jumped again. They had scared him that much. He would kill the next person who jumped him.
Nobody was ever going to beat him like that again. Not over his dead body…”

Page #__34__ (the page number where the quote is located)

Importance of Quote: How does the use of this technique help the author to effectively portray the focus being explored?
- The switchblade is the symbol for the development of his aggressive side (refer to “now carried in his back pocket a
six-inch switchblade” in analysis)
- This symbol could also be seen as foreshadowing that something could happen in the future (refer to “He would kill
the next person who jumped him. Nobody was ever going to beat him like that again. Not over his dead body…”) in
analysis
- Showing that originally Johnny was a pretty quiet, timid, “law-abiding” person, and now that character trait has
changed because of that situation.
- The introduction of this symbol also creates some suspense, because we are given a clue as to what we may expect
next in the story – he may get jumped and kill someone (as hinted in quote)

Focus: _________________________________________ (character or motif)

Supporting Technique: _________________________________________
Context of Quote: (Where was the quote found? What was happening at the time? Who was speaking? To whom were they
speaking?)

Record the quote:

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________

Page #______ (the page number where the quote is located)

Quote Analysis: Possible questions to address in your analysis

 How does the use of the technique in the quote help the author to effectively expose the focus of your essay?
 How is the reader impacted as a result of the technique that is employed by the author?
 How does this shape the reader’s understanding of the character/motif and eventually theme?
 Would readers views change about the character or topic as a result of this quote?
 Does this technique have further implications later on in the story?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________

Part 4: Essay Outline

Introduction

Hook (general statement about the topic explored in your essay):

Short summary of the novel:

Thesis Statement:

Point 1: ____________________________ (supporting technique) is used by the author to

reveal/reinforce/explore/expose/etc______________________________________________________
_____________________________.

Example: (remember to include the context of the quote for the reader)

Analysis of the quote itself (this is where you do close analysis of the language in the quote):
Connect back to focus (remember that you must show how this particular quote reveals something
important about the development of character or motif):

Point 2: ____________________________ (supporting technique) is used by the author to

reveal/reinforce/explore/expose/etc______________________________________________________
_____________________________.

Example: (remember to include the context of the quote for the reader)

Analysis of the quote itself (this is where you do close analysis of the language in the quote):

Connect back to focus (remember that you must show how this particular quote reveals something
important about the development of character or motif):
Point 3: ____________________________ (supporting technique) is used by the author to
reveal/reinforce/explore/expose/etc______________________________________________________
_____________________________.

Example: (remember to include the context of the quote for the reader)

Analysis of the quote itself (this is where you do close analysis of the language in the quote):

Connect back to focus (remember that you must show how this particular quote reveals something
important about the development of character or motif):
Point 4: ____________________________ (supporting technique) is used by the author to
reveal/reinforce/explore/expose/etc______________________________________________________
_____________________________.

Example: (remember to include the context of the quote for the reader)

Analysis of the quote itself (this is where you do close analysis of the language in the quote):

Connect back to focus (remember that you must show how this particular quote reveals something
important about the development of character or motif):
Conclusion

Re-state your thesis statement by using synonyms:

Now broaden your interpretation – You must now reveal thoughts on theme/lesson on human
behaviour. What are readers to learn about life from this novel?:

Sample paragraph on character:

In Hinton’s novel Johnny is developed as being an agitated character through the use
of symbolism. When Ponyboy is at the drive-in getting snacks with Cherry he tells her about the
time when Johnny was jumped by some Socs which left him “jumpier than ever” (Hinton 34).
Ponyboy explains to Cherry that “Johnny never walked by himself after that. And Johnny, who
was the most law-abiding of [them], now carried in his back pocket a six-inch switchblade. He’d
use it too, if he ever got jumped again. They had scared him that much. He would kill the next
person who jumped him. Nobody was ever going to beat him like that again. Not over his dead
body…” (Hinton 34). The switchblade has come to symbolize Johnny’s paranoia; never before
would Johnny have imagined using a weapon on an enemy, but after the incident he feels the
need to protect himself with it. Johnny, who used to be “the most law-abiding” of the Greasers
has gone against his morals by carrying a dangerous weapon which proves he’s changed into a
very nervous character. The introduction of the switchblade as a symbol of Johnny’s fear also
creates suspense for the reader because he/she is left waiting for the next time Johnny encounters
the Socs and perhaps “[kills] the next person who [jumps] him” (34). The use of the symbol
heightens the audience’s interest in Johnny’s character because he may be one that complicates
the plot and drives the action forward.