1. “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
Skills: annotation, close reading, writing a thesis

2. Annotation Read the prompt:
Write an essay in which you analyze how Kate Chopin, in “The Story of an Hour,” reveals Mrs. Mallard’s mental state.

3. Annotation 2. First reading: yes you agree X you disagree
Try to get a sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state. Does it change? How? Highlight individual word choices that contribute to our sense of her mental state.
Make marks on the text such as the following:
yes you agree X you disagree
+ new concept/idea ! WOW
? don’t understand * important
Circle and define the following as Chopin uses them in the passage. Provide a one-word synonym to each. Write the synonym in the margin.
veiled intelligence delicious repression tumultuously will (para. 14) riot

4. Close Reading 3. Second reading:
Using a second color of highlighter, mark any words that foreshadow the story’s ending.
4. In the space below, describe the irony of the ending.
5. How would you define the narrative point of view of “The Story of an Hour”? How does it affect our interpretation of the story?
6. Address the story’s ending. What is the possible meaning of the story’s last line?
7. Create a chart. In the left column, you will enter at least five words or phrases that contribute to the audience’s sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state. Include paragraph numbers for easy reference. In the right column, include your analysis of how those words/phrases give us an idea of her mental state.
WORDS/PHRASES ANALYSIS
“wept… with sudden, wild abandonment” Mrs. Mallard appears to be
terribly upset about the death
of her husband.

5. Sentences Quotes 8.2 Paragraphs Transition/Topic Sentence (1)
Two Quotes (2)
Explanation of Quotes (4; 2 per quote)
Paragraph mini-conclusion (tie directly to thesis) (1)

6. Thesis Statement Prompt:
What techniques does Chopin use in The Story of an Hour to reveal Mrs. Mallard’s mental state? (think: word choice, irony, foreshadowing)
Thesis must be in 3-prong format.
Ex: Chopin helps the reader understand Mrs. Mallard’s mental state through the use of ______, ______, and ______.
No, it does not have to be worded that way, but it must follow that format.

7. Outline Essay Topic Sentences and quotes. Example: Introduction
Background on Story of an Hour
Thesis: Mrs. Mallard’s mental state… (write out whole thing)
Body Paragraph 1 (8.2)
Transition/topic Sentence: (write out sentence)
Quote- write quote
Explanation
Mini-conclusion
Body Paragraph 2 (follow above format)
Body Paragraph 3 (follow above format)
Conclusion
Transition sentence
“Why I’m right” statement
Tie back to Thesis
What techniques does Chopin use in The Story of an Hour to reveal Mrs. Mallard’s mental state?
Thesis must be in 3-prong format.
Prompt:
Ex: Chopin helps the reader understand Mrs. Mallard’s mental state through the use of ______, ______, and ______.
No, it does not have to be worded that way, but it must follow that format.

8. Rhetorical Triangle
Speaker
Audience
Purpose

9. Organization/Structure/Form
Rhetorical Framework
Exigence
Audience
Purpose
Pathos
LOGOS
Ethos
Organization/Structure/Form
Figurative Language
Imagery
Syntax
Diction

10. Rhetorical Continuum Exigence Audience Purpose Pathos LOGOS Ethos
What prompts the author to speak at that time?
Exigence
Audience
Purpose
Pathos
LOGOS
Ethos
Organization/Structure/Form
Figurative Language
Imagery
Syntax
Diction
To whom is the author writing? How does the author appeal to the audience?
What does the author want to happen? What does the author want the audience to believe or do?
Does the author show his credibility – that he knows relevant info about the topic? Is he believable?
Does the author offer a clear, reasonable central idea? Does he develop it with appropriate reasoning, examples, or details?
Does the author draw on the emotions and interests of the audience so they will sympathize and buy into his central idea or argument?
“word pictures” that appeal to senses
Descriptive language such as metaphor, simile, personification, symbol, etc.
Word choice
Sentence structure