CENTRAL IDEA, CHARACTER, CONFLICT, P.O.V, SETTING, LANGUAGE &TONE

CENTRAL IDEA, CHARACTER, CONFLICT, P.O.V, SETTING, LANGUAGE &TONE
**I’ve attached a the required instruction , extra information about language and tone and a sample essay**
Develop a paper that includes language and tone along with all of the other elements. Your paper
should deal with some aspect of figurative language—particularly symbolism, irony, or allusion
etc. in relation to character and conflict. Discuss the use of figurative language in the story. Does
the author use symbolism, irony, or allusion etc. to enhance the meaning of the story? Are other
elements of the story used in a symbolic, or ironic way? Be sure to explain the symbols, ironies,
or allusions etc. Do not simply list them. I am allowing you to use any story we have done so far
this semester as long as you have not written on it before. However, the longer, more detailed
and more difficult stories usually work better on a paper like this.
Be very specific in discussing the representations, or discrepancies that these symbols, ironies, or
allusions etc. may suggest or imply. Support your thesis statement with pertinent examples
(textual evidence) from the story in the body of your essay. Show how symbolism, irony,
allusion etc. suggests and supports the secondary meaning/s of the story (beyond just the plot).
Also identify and discuss the dominant tone of the story and discuss at least two elements most
instrumental in achieving that tone. I would like you also to speak briefly about the mood of the
story as an exercise in differentiating tone from mood. A breakdown of the essay might look
something like this.
Paragraph 1: Summarize the basic events of the story and state the central idea of the story
before the thesis statement. (100‐150 words)
Paragraph 2: Describe the central character(s) in the story and relate the character(s) to the
central idea (100‐150 words)
Paragraph 3: Describe the central conflict of the story and its relationship to the central idea.
(100 words)
Paragraph 4: Identify the point of view and explain how this point of view is appropriate for the
story and the central idea. (50-75 words)
Paragraph 5: Describe the setting and its relationship (if any) to the central idea. Sometimes the
setting/s can be pretty vague. Do your best with the details (historical, geographical,
chronological or cultural) that you are given about the setting/s.
(50-75 words)
Paragraph 6:  Language (150  words) – [See supplemental reading on Language]
Identify and analyze the way an author uses words to emphasize, or draw attention to an
important part of the story. This discussion may cover imagery (either literal or figurative, or

both), allusion, symbolism, irony, repetition and/or dialogue etc. You have a number of options
and choices here to fit the story of your choice.
However, at least two or more devices should be examined in your analysis. Focus on the
function of these language/literary devices etc. as they are used in the story, considering whether
they are directly related to the central idea, or whether they are more important in the
development of character, conflict, setting, p.o.v and/or tone/mood.

Paragraph 7:  Tone (75-100 words) – [See supplemental reading on Tone/Mood]
A story’s tone can be defined with one to three words which describe the author’s attitude
towards the protagonist and the subject of the story. Discuss the tone of the story by first defining
the mood of the story in one to three words and then examining how the tone is created; elements
of language will almost certainly be involved in this examination. Additionally, the discussion
should include how the tone affects the readers’ understanding of character, conflict, or central
idea etc. (or a combination thereof). This is a good exercise in distinguishing tone from mood
and vice versa.
 Your thesis statement does not have to necessarily appear in the opening paragraph.
However, this is your choice. If you place it in the first paragraph, you will need to put it
after the central idea and underline it.
 Use the readings/handouts/links on language, tone and mood to help in the composition
of your essay.
 Enclose short story titles in quotation marks. Do not underline or italicize short story
titles.
 In ALL assignments and exams, limit your use of direct quotes to no more than 10%
of your total word count.
 Scholarly sources are recommended by not required. Make sure you use a separate works
cited page at the end of your paper if you decide to employ scholarly sources.
 Double space your submission