Out of Her Mind -- Musings on Education and Life

Catch-22 Mini Essay Topic #1: Characterization DIRECT and INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION Direct Characterization Two techniques that writers use to create character are "direct" and "indirect" characterization. Direct characterization TELLS the reader about the character. For example, an  omniscient  narrator may tell the reader that Jacob was a patient and kind man. Indirect Characterization In contrast to "direct" characterization, "indirect" characterization SHOWS the reader who a character is through speech, thoughts, and actions, either the speech, thoughts, and actions of the characters themselves or of other characters in reaction to/about that other person.  An example of indirect characterization may read:  Jacob did not yell at Sally for taking two more hours to get ready when she had promised "Five more minutes!" over two and a half hours earlier.  Instead, he patiently waited, taking the time to finish up r...

This unit, "Seeing/Ways to "See" Literature" has been preparing you for reading a work of fiction and applying a critical lens of your choice as you read and as you analyze the selection in writing AFTER you have read.  Your Task: (CHOOSE ONE) A. Read and annotate (in your learning log) one longer article or two short articles on "The Yellow Wallpaper" from JSTOR, available  here .  Use your reading to inform your essay Now that you have had a brief review of literary analysis and now that you have had an introduction to different approaches to critical analyses, it is time to show off your writing skills.  Pick EITHER one (1) of the essay topics below   and write one (1) five (5) paragraph essay, complete with an introduction and conclusion OR pick five (5) prompts to respond to, writing one (1) paragraph for each one.  These paragraphs should each have an introduction sentence and a concluding sentence.  These essays will pre...