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) 1990 Poem: Soliloquy from Henry IV, Part II (William Shakespeare) Prompt: In the soliloquy, King Henry laments his inability to sleep. In a well-organized essay, briefly summarize the King's thoughts and analyze how the diction, imagery, and syntax help to convey his state of mind. This prompt requires that we analyze the diction, imagery and syntax to see how he uses this to convey what he is feeling. The prompt specifically asks for diction, imagery and syntax. Analyze other parts of his speech that helps contribute to him conveying his state of mind. The thesis must discuss the parts of his speech that was important. The best way to organize this essay is to with a thesis, 3 body paragraphs containing what was discovered in the speech with a conclusion to explain what occurred.

2.) 2002 Poem: The Convergence of the Twain (Thomas Hardy) Prompt: Read the following poem carefully. Then, taking into consideration the title of the poem, analyze how the poetic devices convey the speakers attitude toward the sinking of the ship. This prompt asks for the poetic devices and how the title of the poem reflects the attitude of the speaker. The prompt asks for an interpretation of the title and the poetic devices. Analyze the speakers attitude and show what they feel toward the sinking of the ship. The thesis should indicate what the speakers attitude is and the way to prove it. The best way to organize this essay is to with a thesis, 3 body paragraphs containing evidence of the speakers attitude with a conclusion to explain what occurred. 3.) In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. Do not merely summarize the plot. (1977) This prompt asks us to discuss the significance of parallel or recurring events. The words discuss and summarize are two words that let us know our task. Simply retelling the story will not be sufficient. This prompt tells us to be sure to prove the similarities and differences in the events to show the meaning of the events be repetitive. The thesis must include the overall significance to the authors choice of repetitive scenes. I would include all of the information in one paragraph and use the other two paragraphs to analyze the information provided. 4.) From a novel or play of literary merit select an important character who is a villain. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the nature of the characters villainy and show how it enhances the meaning in the work. Do not merely summarize the plot. (1983) This prompt tells us to examine a characters evil behavior s and then show how it develops the implications of the novel. We will have to choose which character to analyze from any literary work of our choice. The thesis will have to consist of the nature of the characters villainy and

the meaning of the work. When writing my essay I would separate the body paragraphs with one paragraph speaking of different qualities of the character and tying each of those into the work. 5.) 1992 Beginning and ending of Tillie Olsens I Stand Here Ironing: Analyze the narrative techniques and other resources of language Olsen uses to characterize the mother and her attitude. This prompt tells us to analyze techniques and language Olsen uses In the beginning and ending of Tillie Olsens I Stand Here Ironing. With this information you will have to characterize the mother and her attitude. The thesis will have to include the characterizations of the mother and her attitude and what techniques and language you will be focusing on. If writing this essay, I would separate my body paragraphs by each focusing on a different technique or language in order to portray the mother and her attitude. 6.) 1996 Hawthornes Judge Pyncheon from House of the Seven Gables: Analyze how the narrator reveals the character of Judge Pyncheon. Emphasize such devices as tone, selection of detail, syntax, point of view. This prompt asks us to analyze the ways the narrator reveals Judge Pyncheons character. In order to accomplish this task an analyzing devices will have to be used. The thesis will have to have a description of Judge Pyncheons characterization and how the author revealed it and through which devices. If I were to write this essay, I would separate my body paragraphs into paragraph s that analyze a different device. 7.) 1985 Poems: There Was A Boy (William Wordsworth) and The Most of It (Robert Frost) Prompt: These two poems present encounters with nature, but the two poets handle those encounters very differently. In a well-organized essay, distinguish between the attitudes (toward nature, toward the solitary individual, etc.) expressed in the poems and discuss the techniques that the poets use to present these attitudes. Be sure to support your statements with specific references. This prompt tells us to compare and contrast the attitudes with nature between the two poets. In order to accomplish this task we will have to point out the techniques used by each poet in order to portray their attitude and specifically reference those techniques. The thesis will need the attitudes of each poet and a synopsis of the techniques you will be going over. When writing this essay I would separate each of my body paragraphs by the attitude of each

8.) 1994 Poems: To Helen (Edgar Allan Poe) and Helen (H.D.) Prompt: The following two poems are poems about Helen of Troy. Renowned in the ancient world for her beauty, Helen was the wife of Menelaus, a Greek King. She was carried off to Troy by the Trojan prince Paris, and her abduction was the immediate cause of the Trojan War. Read the two poems carefully. Considering such elements as speaker, diction, imagery, forms, and tone, write a well-organized essay in which you contrast the speakers views of Helen. This prompt tells us contrast the views of the two speakers using diction, imagery, forms, and tone. You will have to pick which elements to focus on most based on the evidence given in the

passages. The thesis will need the views of the two speakers based on Helen. To organize this essay, I would base each of the body paragraphs with each of the elements that I would be describing as mentioned in the thesis. 9.) Novels and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and other social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters and the society in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a scene and, in a focused essay, discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the work as a whole. (1997) The prompt requires a novel to be selected and a scene of social occasion being analyzed. The prompt specifically asks for analysis of social settings in a novel. We must also analyze social occasions do to a character within the novel. The thesis must discuss the novel and the social occasion. The best way to organize this essay is to with a thesis, 3 body paragraphs containing the importance of the occasion with a conclusion to explain what occurred.
10.) In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel or play of literary merit and write an essay in which you show how such a character functions in the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the development of other characters. Avoid plot summary. (1994)

The prompt requires a novel to be selected and the effect of a seemingly insignificant character. The prompt specifically asks for the effects of seemingly insignificant characters. We must also analyze the function of these characters. The thesis must discuss the novel and the importance of the minor character. The best way to organize this essay is to with a thesis, 3 body paragraphs containing the importance of the character with a conclusion to explain what occurred.