The Art of Literature

THE OPEN QUESTION by Joan Nichols

The Open QuestionFocus on the artist/ focus on the craft!

THESE ESSAYS ARE ABOUT WHAT THE AUTHOR IS DOING!!

( Focusing on the author will keep you from just summarizing the plot- a major cause of the lower level essays)

THE UNIVERSAL ( ABSTRACT) IN LITERATURE

Shame CourageSilence GuiltRedemption ResilienceLoyalty DiscriminationCruelty FearTrust Family tiesFriendship PowerHome Awakenings

Novels and Plays focus on deeply human experiences:

Universal topics con’tChange versus

traditionChaos and orderCharacter in the face

of outside forces – or impending destruction,

Circle of lifeComing of ageConformity to

societal expectations

More Universal topics Illusion vs reality Immortality Individual versus

society Injustice vs justice Isolation-

Isolationism – Knowledge versus

ignoranceLoneliness as

destructive forceLosing hopeLoss of innocenceLost honor

The AP prompt 2013- find the topic!

A bildungsroman, or coming- of – age novel, recounts the psychological or moral development of its protagonist from youth to maturity, when this character recognizes his or her place in the world. Select a single pivotal moment in the psychological or moral development of the protagonist of a bildungsroman. Then write a well-organized essay that analyzes how that single moment shapes the meaning of the work as a whole.

BOOKS/ DRAMAS /EPIC POEMS

Prepare in advance!!! A major advantage on this exam!

Choose from the list provided or have several major works in mind. A rich text will cover many universal themes!

Know the names of the characters and the authors? Know how to spell them! Know the themes and how they are traced through the text. Major works data sheet!!!!!

Step 2- Match the text with the topic! Jot down a few in the margin. What is this author doing with the

topic of a coming of age in The POISONWOOD BIBLE Runner? What is the reader supposed to understand?

What is this author doing with the topic of a coming of age in Hamlet? What is the audience supposed to recognize in the end?

What is this author doing with the topic of a coming of age in Huckleberry Finn? What reaction is sought from the reader?

What is this author doing with the topic of a coming of age in To Kill a Mockingbird . What are we to learn in the end through the eyes of the Scout?

STEP 3- ANSWER THE PROMPT (AP) by turning it into questions!

You must identify the protagonist Who? Why?

WHAT DOES THE AUTHOR WANT TO SAY? (MEANING OF THE WORK AS A WHOLE)

Formulate answers to these questions before you ever begin writing! It is ok to take time to plan!

MAKE A PLAN GATHER YOUR DATA!

FOR THE OPEN ESSAY - You must know which specific incidents or scenes from the text that can demonstrate your claims.

You must know the sequence of the significant scenes.

You must know some significant quotes that reflect the “meaning of the work as a whole.” ( This means theme!)

NO DATA? = NO UPPER LEVEL SCORE

EpiphanyFifth

significant scene

Sixth significant

scene

Shift in plot or characterThird

significant scene

PIVOTAL MOMENT!!

Novel SequenceFirst significant

scene

Second significant

scene

COVER THE BASICS The Introduction: Begin with the universal idea - move to the

context- and thesis ( what the author is doing! ) THIS PART MUST ANSWER THE QUESTION!

The Body Paragraphs: these should be fully developed – this means multiple examples that trace a progression through the text

Claims- convince me that you know what the author is doing

Data- discuss the scenes in the novel or play ( IN ORDER) which best demonstrate the progression ( beginning, middle, end) or shifts in the character’s understanding. Have some theme or character based quotes ready to use that will support your essay well and advance your argument.

Commentaries- tell me the effect of the scenes- how do they change the reader’s perspective or reinforce our understanding.

CONCLUSIONS? YES OR NO?

YES - IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING FRESH TO SAY- something insightful that you want to leave the reader thinking about.

NO- IF YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO RESTATE YOUR THREE MAINS POINTS AND BORE ME-

( this kind of repetition is the sign of a weaker writer)