In a five-paragraph essay (800-1,000 words) analyze how the author uses three techniques of characterization (e.g. actions, physical description, thoughts, dialogue, narrator’s comments, other characters’ comments, or setting) to reveal the inner truth of one of the characters in one of the following assigned stories “AVery Old Man with Enormous Wings,”(pg.380-384)  “Hills Like White Elephants,” (pg.416-419)or “Two Kinds”(pg.955-958).

SUGGESTED STRUCTURE:

     Opening paragraph (about 150 words) consisting of an opening sentence/hook that catches the reader’s attention, a short discussion about why your approach to the story is important, and a three-part thesis statement which you intend to prove in the body of your essay.

     First body paragraph (about 200-250 words) consisting of an opening/topic sentence announcing the first claim from your thesis that you intend to support, followed by discussion/analysis proving that claim using your own sound reasoning as well as evidence from the story, and concluding with a sentence that ties together the paragraph.

      Second body paragraph (about 200-250 words) consisting of an opening/topic sentence announcing the second claim from your thesis that you intend to support, followed by discussion/analysis proving that claim using your own sound reasoning as well as evidence from the story, and concluding with a sentence that ties together the paragraph.

     Third body paragraph (about 200-250 words) consisting of an opening/topic sentence announcing the third claim from your thesis that you intend to support, followed by discussion/analysis proving that claim using your own sound reasoning as well as evidence from the story, and concluding with a sentence that ties together the paragraph.

     Concluding paragraph (about 100 words) in which  you re-state your thesis; answer the question, “So what?” (that is, you have proven your claims, but why should your readers care; why is all this important?); and recommendations to the reader (what might the reader do with what you have proven?).

Proofread your essay carefully. Listen to your sentences. Think always of your reader. Whenever you quote from the story, be sure to provide the page number in parentheses after the quotation.