Wedesday, September 10
Read Chekhov's short story "A Problem." A Problem.doc
Then, complete the Critical Analysis of Prose in your LRJ.
Critical Analysis of Prose
Step One: Content (What)
• What is the selection about?
• What are the main ideas?
• Make a short summary.
Step Two: Theme or Focus (Why)
• What is the primary purpose of the writer?
• Possible purposes: to entertain, to inform, to persuade, to arouse emotion. Look also for combinations.
• What evidence can you find that supports your ideas?
• What is the main theme or focus? Summarize in your own words.
Step Three: Point of View or Voice (Who)
• Who is speaking?
• Who is the audience?
• Is the speaker the “voice” of the writer or one of the characters?
Step Four: Setting (Where and When)
• What clues are there to the place and time of the writing?
• Find specific examples for support.
• How does setting affect the theme?
Step Five: Style (How)
• This includes structure and tone. What kinds of words does the author use?
• Is there dialogue? Is it distinctive?
• Look for the way the author uses punctuation and sentence patterns.
• What kinds of imagery are used?
• What is the tone or mood of the piece? How is it achieved? How does the tone relate to the theme or focus?
Critical Analysis of Prose.doc
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