““The Story of an The Story of an Hour”Hour”

by Kate Chopinby Kate Chopin

Skills: annotation, close Skills: annotation, close reading, writing a thesisreading, writing a thesis

AnnotationAnnotation

1. Read the prompt: Write an essay in 1. Read the prompt: Write an essay in which you analyze how Kate Chopin, in which you analyze how Kate Chopin, in “The Story of an Hour,” reveals Mrs. “The Story of an Hour,” reveals Mrs. Mallard’s mental state.Mallard’s mental state.

AnnotationAnnotation

2. First reading: 2. First reading: – Try to get a sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state. Does Try to get a sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state. Does

it change? How? Highlight individual word choices it change? How? Highlight individual word choices that contribute to our sense of her mental state. that contribute to our sense of her mental state.

– Make marks on the text such as the following:Make marks on the text such as the following:

yes yes you agreeyou agree X X you disagreeyou disagree + + new concept/ideanew concept/idea !! WOW WOW? ? don’t understanddon’t understand * * importantimportant

– Circle and define the following as Chopin uses them in Circle and define the following as Chopin uses them in the passage. Provide a one-word synonym to each. the passage. Provide a one-word synonym to each. Write the synonym in the margin.Write the synonym in the margin.

veiledveiled intelligence intelligencedeliciousdelicious repressionrepression tumultuously tumultuously will will (para. 14)(para. 14) riotriot

Close ReadingClose Reading3. Second reading:3. Second reading:

– Using a second color of highlighter, mark any words that foreshadow the Using a second color of highlighter, mark any words that foreshadow the story’s ending.story’s ending.

4. In the space below, describe the 4. In the space below, describe the ironyirony of the ending. of the ending.5. How would you define the narrative point of view of “The Story of an 5. How would you define the narrative point of view of “The Story of an

Hour”? How does it affect our interpretation of the story?Hour”? How does it affect our interpretation of the story?6. Address the story’s ending. What is the possible meaning of the story’s 6. Address the story’s ending. What is the possible meaning of the story’s

last line?last line?

7. Create a chart. In the left column, you will enter at least five words or 7. Create a chart. In the left column, you will enter at least five words or phrases that contribute to the audience’s sense of Mrs. Mallard’s phrases that contribute to the audience’s sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state. Include paragraph numbers for easy reference. In the mental state. Include paragraph numbers for easy reference. In the right column, include your analysis of how those words/phrases give right column, include your analysis of how those words/phrases give us an idea of her mental state.us an idea of her mental state.

WORDS/PHRASESWORDS/PHRASES ANALYSIS ANALYSIS““wept… with sudden, wild abandonment” Mrs. Mallard wept… with sudden, wild abandonment” Mrs. Mallard appearsappears to to be be

terribly upset about terribly upset about the deaththe death

of her husband.of her husband.

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

7. Write a thesis statement in response to 7. Write a thesis statement in response to the prompt. This statement should the prompt. This statement should include the topic (how Chopin reveals include the topic (how Chopin reveals Mrs. Mallard’s mental state) and YOUR Mrs. Mallard’s mental state) and YOUR analysis of it. In other words, what is our analysis of it. In other words, what is our sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state? sense of Mrs. Mallard’s mental state? What techniques (think: word choice, What techniques (think: word choice, irony, foreshadowing) does Chopin use to irony, foreshadowing) does Chopin use to reveal it? Feel free to use more than one reveal it? Feel free to use more than one sentence in composing your statement.sentence in composing your statement.

WLMAWLMA

Read:Read:– ““Explicating a Passage from a Story” – Explicating a Passage from a Story” –

p. 8p. 8– ““Considering the Social Contexts of a Considering the Social Contexts of a

Work” – p. 10-11Work” – p. 10-11

Rhetorical TriangleRhetorical Triangle

Rhetorical Framework Rhetorical Framework

Rhetorical Continuum Rhetorical Continuum What prompts the author to speak at that time?

To whom is the author writing? How does the author appeal to the

audience?What does the author want to

happen? What does the author want the audience to believe or

do?

Does the author show his credibility – that he knows

relevant info about the topic? Is he believable?

Does the author offer a clear, reasonable central idea? Does he

develop it with appropriate reasoning, examples, or details?

Does the author draw on the emotions and interests of the audience so they will sympathize and buy into his central idea or argument?

Word choice Sentence structure “word pictures” that

appeal to senses

Descriptive language such as metaphor,

simile, personification, symbol, etc.

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Complete:Complete:– Exercise 2 – Writing About Historical Exercise 2 – Writing About Historical

Contexts – p. 14Contexts – p. 14