Stylistic AnalysisHow to Effectively Critique

Author Style Through Essay

Purpose

The Purpose of this Style Analysis Essay is to critique the way in which an author uses the stylistic elements we’ve been studying.• How does imagery create an sustain a mood?• How does irony impact your feelings towards a character?• How can setting reflect symbolism?

The purpose should come directly from the writing prompt.

Audience

You are writing this for an English teacher who knows the stories you are critiquing.• Your examples need to be specific; detailed• You need to use academic language• Your writing needs to organized and to the point• Everything must be supported by textual examples

Content

Deciding what to write about is a three step process:1. Explore the elements of the story: setting, imagery,

mood, symbol, figurative language, and irony.2. Choose a focus by developing a thesis statement that

clearly identifies the literary element you’re analyzing and the key points you plan on making about it.

3. Collect evidence, quotes, details, ideas to support your thesis.

Structure – The Intro

Your introduction paragraph is a map for the reader; capturing their attention, identifying the literary work being analyzed, and telling the points you will make.1. Hook: set your reader up2. T.A.G.S.: identify the title, author, genre, brief summary3. Thesis: tell the reader your point and your evidence

Structure – The Intro

Infamous rapper, the Notorious BIG once said, “Revenge is a dish I serve cats cold,” suggesting that the best revenge is planned out, methodical, not reactive or in the heat of the moment. Whether he knew it or not, Biggie was echoing an idea of revenge set forth by Edgar Allen Poe in his 1846 publication of “The Cask of Amontillado.” “The Cask of Amontillado,” is a terrifying glimpse into the mind of a psychopath. The short story details Montresor’s meticulously planned plot for revenge against an unassuming and easily manipulated Fortunato. By simply suggesting that he has obtained a pipe of Amontillado wine during the peak of carnival season, Montresor is able to trick Fortunato into essentially committing his own murder. Through the use of point of view, irony, and symbolism Poe reveals that the quest for revenge can truly make someone go insane.

Structure – The Body

Your body paragraph must be clearly organized, concentrating on one element.1. Topic Sentence: identify the element/idea2. Evidence: quote or paraphrase a example of the element

being used3. Explain: state what you think the author is doing in your

example4. Analyze: explain how you think it worked

Notice steps 3-4 involve your unique ideas, therefore you can not summarize.

Structure – The Body

The story begins in first person point of view with the narrator, Montresor, describing his desire to get revenge against Fortunato. At one point the narrator talks directly to the reader, saying, “You, who so well know the nature of my soul…” While using the first person point of view allows the story to be told from a more personal perspective, addressing the audience as if they are familiar or long lost friends seems a bit too personal. This comment to the audience only makes the reader uncomfortable, but also makes the reader begin to question the motivation or intentions of the narrator. If nothing else, it makes the reader think the narrator is a little crazy.

Structure – The Conclusion

Your conclusion paragraph needs to explain why the element(s) being analyzed is crucial to the story, restate your ideas, and make the reader think.1. Appeal: ask and answer a question2. The Big Idea: why is this element crucial3. Restate: tie all your ideas together

Structure – The Conclusion

At what point does a healthy obsession become a compulsive disorder? When does constantly thinking about something cause debilitation? For Montresor, it is when thoughts become actions. Thoughts of vengeance become a plot for murder. Obsession has caused Montresor to become a sociopath. According to Poe, the desire for revenge will drive a man insane, a theme supported by his use of point of view, irony and symbolism.

Style

Think of style as tuning up your essay to make it more efficient, and more effective. Most of this I done through editing and revision.• Use formal, academic language…no slang, no overused

expressions, no “I, me, we” pronouns• Choose active verbs instead of overused adjectives and

adverbs…use “shouted” instead of “spoke loudly”• Add effective transitions