The Tell-Tale Heart

Writing Strategies 1.3:In The Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator tells the story

in such a way as to reveal gradually his own character traits. As readers learn more about

the narrator, they feel suspense. Write an essay in which you describe the details the narrator

reveals about himself and tell how this information builds suspense.

Essay Format

Narrator’s Character Traits

Denys His Madness

Quote: ________________

Begins be denying that he is mad

Continues this throughout the story

The reader starts to wonder if he is indeed mad

Nervous & Angry

Quote:_________________

Reader anticipates a big event or eruption

This adds to the suspense

Narrator’s Character Traits

Intelligent & Cautious

Quote: ________________

He describes how many days he has planned and waited to kill the old man

Added clue to his madness

Builds suspense

Intrigued By Old Man’s Fear

Quote:_________________

More evidence that the old man is not normal

Narrator’s Character Traits

Pleased By Arrival of Police

Quote: ________________

Starts with pleasure

Builds to hysteria

Turns to fear & anger

Insanity

Quote:_________________

Shocking conclusion

Suspense was warranted

Introduction

(Start with a good hook, like an idiom, metaphor, analogy, etc…) The author, Edgar Allan Poe, wrote a short story titled “The Tell-Tale Heart.” In the story, the narrator recounts the day his own insanity caused him to kill an old man. The narrator revealed details about himself, and his insanity, throughout the story that helped build the level of suspense for the reader.

Body Paragraph #1

Pick a character trait to discuss. Make sure to refer to your thesis when writing the transition.

Pick a relevant quote.

Your opinion is your thesis, so go back to that.

Make a meaningful connection!

Body Paragraph #2

Pick another character trait to discuss. Make sure to refer to your thesis when writing the transition.

Pick a relevant quote.

Your opinion is your thesis, so go back to that.

Make a meaningful connection!

Body Paragraph #3

Pick another character trait to discuss. Make sure to refer to your thesis when writing the transition.

Pick a relevant quote.

Your opinion is your thesis, so go back to that.

Make a meaningful connection!

Concluson

All of this convincing evidence proves that the narrator was not completely sane. This short story deeply affected me because _________________________________________________________.___________________________________________________________.(Write a fantastic snappy ending).

The Tell-Tale Heart

Your essay is due tomorrow.No, I am not insane!