1. Start Broad Talk about the time period, genre of writing or some other broad category that your author is a part of. In the early 19 th century, a new style of writing began to grip the literary world. Dark Romanticism began in Europe, but it soon made its way to America where it became very popular among readers of the 1800s.

2. Narrow Down Begin to mention your author and story and relate him to the broader topic. Edgar Allan Poe was the best know Dark Romantic writer in America. His short stories and poems fascinated audiences with its tales of the bizarre and macabre. One of his famous pieces is the “The Masque of the Red Death.”

3. Narrow Down More Write a clear and concise/brief synopsis or summary of the story In this short story, Prince Prospero attempts to avoid the Red Death that is ravaging his country by barricading himself and his friends in his castle. However, when the prince throws a masquerade party, an uninvited guest appears and inflicts dire consequences on the prince and his friends.

4. Conclude with Thesis The thesis tells the reader what you are trying to prove with your paper and needs to mention both areas of focus – symbolism and mood. “The Masque of the Red Death” is a typical Dark Romantic story based on its eerie and mysterious mood and its use of symbols that represent life and death.

5. Combine In the early 19 th century, a new style of writing began to grip the literary world. Dark Romanticism began in Europe, but it soon made its way to America where it became very popular among readers of the 1800s. Edgar Allan Poe was the best know Dark Romantic writer in America. His short stories and poems fascinated audiences with its tales of the bizarre and macabre. One of his famous pieces is the “The Masque of the Red Death.” In this short story, Prince Prospero attempts to avoid the Red Death that is ravaging his country by barricading himself and his friends in his castle. However, when the prince throws a masquerade party, an uninvited guest appears and inflicts dire consequences on the prince and his friends. “The Masque of the Red Death” is a typical Dark Romantic story based on its eerie and mysterious mood and its use of symbols that represent life and death.