Transcript Irony Essay
WBC Essay
How to Begin
The Prompt
Essay prompt: How does the author
develop characters to bring out the
themes of:
a)discrimination, b) family or c) prejudice?
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What needs to be “proven” in this essay?
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:_________________________________
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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.
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.
A Good Thesis
No matter your topic sentence, you should aim to
include these items:
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Compose TWO possible thesis statements now
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.
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
Character 3
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Topic Sentences, cont’d.
In an essay,
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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.
Topic Sentences, cont’d.
Topic sentences in this essay will
contain these elements:
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Write Two Topic Sentences
Further examples:
Using Your Paragraphs…
Each body paragraph will have this
general outline:
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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)
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.
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:
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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.
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