1. The Literary Analysis Essay Using The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell as an example text

2. The Essay Prompt ▫Write an essay in which you describe a literary element and its purpose in a particular short story.

3. Writing A Thesis Statement for a Literary Analysis Essay Read the story, taking notes as you read. Once you've read the story or novel closely, look back over your notes for patterns of questions or ideas that interest you. ▫Have most of your questions been about the characters, how they develop or change, or about setting, mood, or tone, which effect plot and theme?

4. Look at your notes: For example: If you are reading Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, are you most interested in how the author develops conflict throughout the story? Question: What does Connell seem to be suggesting about the world, people in it, or life in general (you are asking yourself to identify a theme)? Answer: Connell suggests that hunters vs. the hunted conflict drives the plot forward. Pitfalls: Choosing too many ideas. Choosing an idea without any support.

5. Formulate Ideas for Thesis Statement Once you have some general points to focus on, write your possible ideas in question form and answer them. For example: Question: How does Connell develop the idea that the hunter versus the hunted are at odds in our world? Answer: He uses conflict to lead the reader deeper into the plot and theme of the story.

6. Write the Thesis Statement: To write your thesis statement, all you have to do is turn the question and answer around. You've already given the answer, now just put it in a sentence (or a couple of sentences) so that the thesis of your paper is clear. For example: In his short story, The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell uses conflict to heighten the suspense of the story. The use of this literary device suggests that Connell wanted to convey the hunter versus the hunted ideals of General Zaroff as an important to a change in ideals about it by Rainsford.

7. Example Thesis and Its Parts In his short story, The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell uses conflict to heighten the suspense of the story. The use of this literary device suggests that Connell wanted to convey the hunter versus the hunted ideals of General Zaroff as an important to a change in ideals about it by Rainsford.

8. PreWriting, Thesis, Support and Organization (worksheet) Thesis Statement: In his short story, The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell uses conflict to heighten the suspense of the story. The use of this literary device suggests that Connell wanted to convey the hunter versus the hunted ideals of General Zaroff as an important theme which propels the plot. Key Point #1 Conflict Evidence: “...”( ).Elaboration Organization

9. Each Body Paragraph Has: 1)Topic Sentence that connects and transitions to the previous paragraph. 2)Evidence (quote or detail), cited with page number and quotation marks (if needed). 3)Two to three elaboration sentences that explain the evidence, its purpose, and how it relates to the theme. 4)A concluding sentence.

10. Example Body Paragraph (Topic Sentence) As Connell opens his thriller, he uses dialogue that foreshadows the main conflict in the story. (EVIDENCE) Rainsford and his friend Whitney stand on the deck of the yacht as Rainsford argues, “The world is made up of two classes – the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the hunters” (p. 7). (ELABORATION) This explains the main conflict of the story, as well as hinting that soon the tables will be turned on the hunter, Rainsford. (ELABORATION) The reader understands that at this point Rainsford only sympathizes with the hunter. (ELABORATION) By lacking sympathy, the reader believes Rainsford to be selfish and egotistical which also creates an internal struggle and choice. (Concluding Sentence) Connell’s early identification of the main conflict sets up the clash of ideas between Rainsford and Zaroff later on in the story.

11. Writing the Introduction Insert language of the prompt. Briefly touch on the plot of the story. Create a thesis statement that identifies genre, author, title and theme of the story, as well as provide a roadmap of your essay.

12. Example of Introduction Authors use many different literary elements to create a story. They choose from these elements to craft mood, plot and excitement in their tales. In his short story The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell tell of his protagonist Rainsford, who finds himself trapped in a deadly game of hunting on a Caribbean island. Connell uses Zaroff’s idea of the hunter versus the hunted to create the element of conflict which propels the story forward.

13. Writing the Conclusion Restate the thesis in different words, Summarize the main points you have made, Do not introduce a new topic in your conclusion.

14. Sample Conclusion The themes of whether it is noble to hunt or be hunted are conveyed throughout Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game. Conflict is used to create action and develop the suspenseful plot in a way that is entertaining to the reader. Using this literary device, Connell draws the reader in and shows the importance of human life and choice. This choice is essential for Rainsford to sympathize with the hunted and overcome the trials on Zaroff’s island.