can someone help understand this please?
Write an essay in which you analyze the importance of plot events and characters' actions to the development of a story's theme. You might choose "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara, "The Story-Teller" by Saki, "The Finish of Patsy Barnes" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, or "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury. Be sure to identify the story and write a clear statement of the them. In the essay, answer your following question: How do various elements of the story-conflict and resolution, characters' dialogue and behavior-contribute to the story's theme? Support your ideas with references, from the text.
Choose one of the stories.
What is its theme?
How do the events and the characters' actions develop that theme?
For instance, the theme of "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" is that everyone is important. How does the drummer boy and the general show this theme?
1. Write an essay in which you analyze the importance of plot events and characters' actions to the development of a story's theme. [Choose one of the stories; don't try to write about more than one story.]
2. Be sure to identify the story and write a clear statement of the theme.
3. In the essay, answer the following question: How do various elements of the story contribute to the story's theme?
...3a. conflict and resolution
...3b. characters' dialogue and behavior
4. Support your ideas with references, from the text.
This means you must use quotations and direct references from the story, whether description or dialogue or whatever, to prove each of the statements you make.
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Okay that's breaking down the assignment so you can see ALL the parts, ALL the requirements. Don't skip any.
Here's a good explanation about the different parts of a plot:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plot_(narrative)#Freytag
Read carefully and make sure they are clear in your mind as you think about the story you have chosen.
Here are the steps in writing an essay:
http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/
You're welcome.
Thank you Both!!!
THANKYOU VERY MUCH
To understand this prompt, let's break it down step by step:
1. Choose a story: The prompt provides four options for you to choose from: "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara, "The Story-Teller" by Saki, "The Finish of Patsy Barnes" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, or "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury. Select one of these stories as the focus of your essay.
2. Identify the story and write a clear statement of the theme: Start by clearly identifying the story you have chosen. Then, think about the main message or lesson that the story conveys. This is the theme. Consider what the story is trying to communicate about a particular topic or concept.
3. Analyze the importance of plot events and characters' actions: In your essay, you need to analyze how the plot events (the sequence of events that make up the story) and the actions of the characters contribute to the development of the story's theme. This means explaining how these elements help to shape or convey the overall message of the story.
4. Consider various story elements: Specifically, you should consider how conflict and resolution, as well as the characters' dialogue and behavior, contribute to the theme. Analyze how the conflicts that arise in the story and how they are resolved contribute to the overall message. Additionally, examine the characters' dialogue (what they say) and behavior (what they do) to see how they help develop or highlight the theme.
5. Support your ideas with references from the text: As you analyze the story elements and their contribution to the theme, it is important to support your ideas with references from the text. This means quoting specific lines or passages from the story that illustrate your points. These references help to provide evidence for your analysis and show that you have closely engaged with the text.
In summary, the prompt asks you to choose a story, identify its theme, and analyze how plot events and characters' actions, including conflict and resolution, dialogue, and behavior, contribute to that theme. Remember to support your ideas with references from the text to strengthen your analysis.