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Writing Lesson. Iago manipulated almost everyone in the play. Write about literature in the present tense! Unlike history, which occurred in the past, literature, as a story, is ever-present. Exception: When discussing a specific moment, but referring to an older moment:
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Write about literature in the present tense! • Unlike history, which occurred in the past, literature, as a story, is ever-present.
Exception: When discussing a specific moment, but referring to an older moment: • Example: Emilia exposes Iago as a liar since she reveals that she took the handkerchief.
Iago is pretty much a villain throughout the whole play. He doesn’t act truthfully with anyone, despite the obvious fact that everyone always calls him honest.
Cut the garbage! • If a word or phrase isn’t “doing” anything, cut it. • All of your diction should be purposeful and meaningful.
Observation vs. Analysis • Observationspoint out something in the text • Analysis then answers one of the following questions: 1) Why is that “something” in the text? 2) What effect does this “something” have on the audience? 3) What function does this “something” play in the narrative?
Othello Example: Effects • What effect does it have on the audience/reader that much of this plays occurs through the medium of dramatic irony? • What effect does it have on the audience/reader that Othello is the only black person in the play?
Othello Examples: Functions • What function does the handkerchief play in Othello? • What function does race play in Othello? • What function does friendship play in Othello?
Analogy • Observation 1: When a scientist puts liquids A, B, and C together, he notices effect D • Observation 2: When a scientist puts liquids A, B, and E together, he notices effect F
Analogy Continued • The scientist can now potentially make a hypothesis concerning either C or E • Key: The conclusion is MORE than simply restating the observations
Example 1 • Observations • Iago manipulates everyone in the play • Readers tend to root for Iago
Example 2 • Observations: • Desdemona is a weak female character • Emilia is a strong female character
Structure • Normal: State thesis, and then use 3 supporting reasons • Thesis: Iago is sadistic because of X, Y, and Z. • Body paragraph 1 deals with X; body paragraph 2 deals with Y; and body paragraph 3 deals with Z
More Complex Structure • Body paragraph 1 leads to • Body paragraph 2 leads to • Body paragraph 3, which leads to • The Thesis!
Normal Example • A Raisin in the Sun uses Beneatha as a figure triumphing over the female stereotype. • BP1: She speaks her mind • BP2: She denies marriage social power and pressure • BP3: She chooses to pursue the male worlds of education, higher education, and the medicine
Complex Example • BP1: Money rules Walter’s identity – 50 cents • BP2: His happiness is attached to status – Jefferson • BP3: “My father earned it” • Walter is unable to discover his identity until he recognizes that its foundation is his family; he needs to be proud of and accept what his own father gave him.
The logical method is often more complex and insightful than the three-pronged approach