Turn of the Screw by Henry James

1. Turn of the Screw by Henry James Essay Prompts

2. Prose Prompt 1: • Henry James’s Turn of the Screw, apioneer of the horror story, begins with a popular narrative device of the time, a framework-story. The narrative does not, however, return to the frame tale at the end, thus leaving the reader with unanswered questions. • Reread the opening of Turn of the Screw from “The story had held us” to “’For dreadful – dreadfulness!’” and analyze the author’s use of narrative elements such as syntax, diction, and selection of detail to create suspense and introduce ambiguity into the main narrative.

3. Prose Prompt 2: • Reread chapter two of Turn of the Screw in which the new governess (and narrator) discusses the letter she has just received about her young charge, Miles, who, both she and the reader have yet to meet. • Prepare a formal outline, including a clear thesis, in which you perform a close reading of this passage that discusses the ways in which the author uses language and narrative elements such as diction, syntax, perspective, and selection of detail to characterize the two women and their relationship while creating a set of expectations for Miles on the part of the reader.

4. What a Formal Outline Looks Like: • Introduction • Hook; i.e. Method of opening (funnel, imagery, etc.) • Thesis • Topic of Body ¶ 1 • Quote or specific detail • Elaboration and analysis • Another logical point of elaboration and analysis • Quote or detail 2 • Elaboration and analysis • [repeat for subsequent body ¶] • [repeat again] • Conclusion • Return to thesis • Tie back to larger meaning of the work, etc.