Transcript *The Scarlet Ibis* Essay

“The Scarlet Ibis”
Literary Analysis Essay
PROMPT
Write an expository essay analyzing
the figurative language, imagery, and
symbols used by the author to create
the tone or develop the theme of the
story.
Thesis Sentence
James Hurst creates a mournful tone by using
figurative language, imagery, and symbolism.
James Hurst creates a sad and depressing tone
through his use of similes, images, and
symbols.
James Hurst portrays a theme of pride through
his use of images, figurative language, and
symbols.
Outline
I. Introduction
– Quote
– Background
– Thesis: James Hurst creates a ___________ tone (or theme) by using
_______________, _________________, and ______________.
II. Body 1 – ______________________
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II. Body 2 – ______________________
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IV. Body 3 – _______________________
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V. Conclusion
– Relate to quote/theme/tone
– Author’s purpose
SAMPLE OUTLINE
I. Introduction
– Quote
– Background
– Thesis: James Hurst creates a mournful tone (or mood) by using similes,
imagery, and symbols.
II. Body 1 – Similes
OR
Figurative Language
– “Like an empty cradle” (428)
-- Personification (EX)
– “Like an old, worn out doll”
-- Simile (EX)
– “Like a half empty flour sack”
-- Metaphor (EX)
III. Body 2 – Imagery
– Death imagery “graveyard flowers” (428)
– Color imagery “red and shriveled”
– Bird imagery “the oriole nest rocked back and forth”
IV. Body 3 – Symbolism
– Ibis “the ibis lit in the bleeding tree” (428)
– Grindstone
– Swamp
V. Conclusion
– Relate to quote/theme/tone
– Author’s purpose
Introduction
• Grab attention
• Provide background
• Write thesis
– SAMPLE
“Pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed
that bears two vines, life and death” (433). Pride is
the theme of the story “The Scarlet Ibis.” The story is
about two brothers who are different inside and out.
The younger brother is very attached to his big
brother, but his big brother is embarrassed because
his younger brother is different and cannot walk.
James Hurst, the author, uses similes, symbols, and
imagery to create a sad and depressing tone in the
story.
Write your introduction
• Grab attention (1-2 sentences)
• Provide background (4-6 sentences)
• Write thesis (1 sentence)
**Begin with a quote from the story. (PAGE)
**Be sure to include the author’s name and the
title of the story in the introduction
** When you write the TITLE of the story write it
like this: “The Scarlet Ibis”
**When you write the BIRD write it like this:
the scarlet ibis
Body Paragraph - SAMPLE
“The Scarlet Ibis” is a sad and depressing story because of the
figurative language used by the author. For example, Hurst uses
personification when he states “summer was dead and autumn had not yet
been born” (428). By giving the seasons human qualities and
characteristics, Hurst forces the reader to feel compassion about the change
of seasons. ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
In addition, Hurst uses many similes to interest the reader. He compares
Doodle to an “old worn out doll” (430). This comparison explains Doodle’s
lifeless body as it falls back on the bed. _____________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Furthermore, metaphors are used to create a vivid picture for the
reader. One metaphor used by Hurst is that “pride is a seed that bears two
vines, life and death” (433). Hurst means that pride can grow inside a person
just as a seed grows in the ground. ______________________________
____________________________________________________________
The figurative language used by James Hurst creates sadness for reader as he
pictures Doodle and his helplessness.
Body Paragraph - Format
1. Topic sentence
2. Example 1 (Quote from story, include pg #)
3. Explain
4. Elaborate
5. Example 2 (Quote from story, include pg #)
6. Explain
7. Elaborate
8. Example 3 (Quote from story, include pg #)
9. Explain
10.Elaborate
11.Concluding sentence
Sample paragraph on similes
“The Scarlet Ibis” is a melancholy story
because of the similes used by the author. For
example, Hurst writes, “the oriole nest rocked
back and forth like an empty cradle” (428). In this
simile Hurst compares the nest to a cradle. The
nest and the cradle are similar because both are
for babies. This prepares the reader for the birth
of Doodle and the emptiness the family felt when
he died. In addition, Hurst writes, “He collapsed
back on the bed like an old, worn-out doll” (430).
The simile compares Doodle to a doll. It is a good
comparison because Doodle cannot walk or
stand. Furthermore, ______________________
Second Body Paragraph
Another device used by Hurst is
symbolism. For example, Hurst writes, “The
ibis lit in the bleeding tree” (428). Throughout
the story, the ibis is symbolic of Doodle. Both
struggle to survive but end up falling to their
death. Both die awkwardly in a pool of red.
Another symbol is ___________________.
Conclusion
• Write five to six sentences
• Why did the author write this story? Why is it so
sad? What does he want us to remember?
• Reflect on the “lesson learned”
• Relate the lesson to today, to you, to your peers
• Reflect on the quote you used in the introduction
• Reflect on your THESIS – Explain the tone or
author’s attitude
• What do you want the reader to learn or
remember about “The Scarlet Ibis”?
Peer Edit
1. Read the introduction– Is it a good intro?
a. Does the opening quote have quotation marks?
b. Highlight the page number after the quote.
c. Underline the thesis sentence.
2. Read EACH body paragraph-a. Underline the topic sentence
b. Highlight the quote and page number in each body
paragraph . (There should be three.)
c. Circle the transition word between each quote
d. Is there a concluding sentence at the end? If not
write CS.
3. Write a comment about the conclusion…
Interesting? Good? Needs work?
Paper Format
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Change font to Times New Roman
Change font size to 12 pt.
Change line spacing to double (2.0)
Type your heading in left hand corner
Name, Teacher’s name, Subject-Hour, Date due
5. Center and type your title, then press Enter
6. Take off center by selecting Align Left and
press tab to indent…then start typing your
paper.
Sample Heading
Melinda Moore
Mrs. Moore
English I – 2nd Hour
December 1, 2011
The Power of Pride
“Pride is a seed that bears two vines, life and
death” (433). In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis,”
there are two brothers who are the protagonists.