1. WBC Essay How to Begin

2. The Prompt Essay prompt: How does the author develop characters to bring out the themes of: a)discrimination, b) family or c) prejudice? ___________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ What needs to be “proven” in this essay?

3. The Thesis Statement Essay prompt: How does the author develop characters to bring out the themes of: a)discrimination, b) family or c) prejudice? Q: How do you create a thesis statement out of an essay prompt? A:_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

4. Sample Thesis Stmts. Character development can aid thematic recognition in the reader of literature. Authors use character development to add to the readers understanding of theme in literature. Authors of literature increase comprehension of theme in a reader’s experience using character development. When reading literature, the reader’s thematic knowledge is enhanced through an author’s use of character development. Through the use of character development, an author of literature can create greater awareness regarding the theme in the reader.

5. Selecting a Theme Discrimination - Most of the characters in the novel are discriminated against in one way or the other, yet each of them show discrimination to others. Family - Although Amy and Adam’s families have similar prejudices against other races, their families differ greatly in the values they hold, the way they show respect for authority, and the amount of time the parents spend with their children. Prejudice - As a result of Mr. Otero’s Color Game, students are forced to look at ways they pre-judge others. Sometimes in high schools this pre-judging does not result in racism, but results in other social cliques based on criteria such as clothing, athletic participation, and grades.

6. A Good Thesis No matter your topic sentence, you should aim to include these items: _____________________________________ Compose TWO possible thesis statements now

7. Selecting Characters to Use Earlier in the year, you composed a reading log for “The War Between the Classes”. Now you must choose the three instances of character development you understand best to include in your essay. Read over your explanations and select the three you think you understand best.

8. Topic Sentences Topic sentences control the content of the paragraphs. This essay will contain three body paragraphs with the general content of: Character 1 _____________________________________ Character 3 _____________________________________

9. Topic Sentences, cont’d. In an essay, _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

10. Thesis/Topic Sentence Relationship Thesis: Authors of literature increase the readers’ comprehension of theme using character development. Now the proof must be given from actual stories to show that excitement can be enhanced. Topic sentences: Arthur Gordon, in his story “The Sea Devil”, uses character development to enhance the intensity of the stories themes for the reader. In the story “The Duel” by Nikolai Teleshov, the author employs character development to heighten reader’s understanding of the theme.

11. Topic Sentences, cont’d. Topic sentences in this essay will contain these elements: _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

12. Write Two Topic Sentences Further examples:

13. Using Your Paragraphs… Each body paragraph will have this general outline: _____________________________________

14. Example TS > CS TS: Guy de Maupassant, in his story “The Necklace”, uses situational irony to enhance the intensity of emotion experienced by the reader. CS: Near the end of the story, Mme. Loisel comes across Mme. Forestier in a park. Because the Loisels are now poor due to years repaying the debts associated with replacing Mme Forestier’s necklace, Mme. Loisel decides to reveal the truth: the necklace returned to Mme. Forestier was not the original. When Mme. Loisel reveals that she and her husband are now poor because of their efforts to replace the lost original, Mme. Forestier reveals that the original, in fact, was not made of genuine stones. (Missing Support in the form of Direct Quotations)

15. Sample “E” Explanation The situational irony occurs in the difference between what the reader expects and what is revealed in the final scene. No indication is ever given that the original necklace is a fake, so the reader believes what the Loisels believe: it is genuine. The reader sees the Loisels sacrifice their lives to repay the debts of the replacement necklace, so when the necklace is finally paid off, we believe the relief was worth all the effort. However, when Mme. Forestier reveals that the original was a fake, we realize that all of the work we thought was valuable is in fact worthless. The truth is that the Loisels worked to pay off a fake.

16. The Final Sentence You have explained the character development, but you have to make it clear how this affects the reader’s understanding of the theme. The key: _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

17. Sample Concluding Sentence The surprise from Mme. Forestier at the end causes the reader to feel sudden shock. The reader’s relief that they are not in the Loisels’ shoes is an intensified emotional response to the story. The surprise caused by the irony brings about that increased excitement.

18. Final Tally of Sentences Topic sentence: 1 CS (summary): at least 3 E (explanation): at least 3 Concluding/Trans: at least 1 Minimum total per paragraph: 8