Write an essay focusing on one word or phrase that you think is the most important word in the story “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe. You want to offer specific points of analysis to support your choice; these may be reasons why the word/phrase is important, how the word/phrase is used, placement in the story, emphasis of the theme, or connection with literary devices. You will use the story choice you made to support your analysis. You may also use outside sources, and if you do, you will need to cite them.
Organization Format:
I. Introduction and Thesis Statement- Your introduction should achieve all of the normal functions of any good introduction. The essay is an analysis, so you want your thesis to reflect this. Your introduction and thesis should keep in mind the essay’s purpose: to deeply analyze the short story through one word or phrase. You will also need to provide some summary of the story, but you don’t want to give every single detail. Focus on the important parts of the story and not the small details. Your introduction will be 1-2 paragraphs long and should end with your thesis statement.
Your thesis statement should present an argument/claim about the word/phrase choice being the most important word/phrase in the story.
II. Analysis Body Paragraphs (should be at least three paragraphs)- Body paragraphs should be focused with clear topic sentences and show the importance of the word/phrase choice to the story through a literary element or choice the author made. You will need to use quotes and paraphrasing from the story to help support the analysis, but don’t overly rely on quotes; they should support your interpretation, not take it over. Give specific example and support from the story rather than being general or vague and stay focused on the story; don’t use personal experience as supporting points.
III. Conclusion- You want your conclusion to go full-circle back to your thesis statement and also reiterate the main points that you established in your essay. Wrap your conclusion up with any final points to make about the story and move the reader out of the paper with any last general points.
