Wojciechowski 1

Paper 2 Strategy: Development of Idea

Another approach to organizing your Paper 2 essay exam (50 pts.)

Select one of the Paper 2 prompts from the decoding activity last class.

What is the prompt?

Answer the questions below in a note-taking style until you answer the “Structure”
questions, where complete sentences will be required.

Core topic (aka narrative strategy):

Seen in terms of:
Important to remember:

Observation
1. In what general ways is the core topic displayed in the first novel?

1.a. What other narrative strategies are affected by the core topic in the first novel? (For
example: The setting emphasizes the theme.)

2. In what general ways is the core topic displayed in the second novel?

2.a. What other narrative strategies are affected by the core topic in the second novel?

Analysis
3. What specific examples illustrate how the core topic functions in the first novel? (Use details
and quotations. Show your knowledge. Strive for fresh and original insight.)
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3.a. How do these details relate to your "seen in terms of"?

4. What specific examples illustrate how the core topic functions in the second novel?

4.a. How do these details relate to your "seen in terms of"?

5. What fundamental similarities are there in how the core topic is used in each novel?

6. What fundamental differences are there in how the core topic is used in each novel?
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Interpretation
7. What pattern or conclusions can you draw about how, why, or to what effect or significance
the core topic has on the both the novels? This will be the interpretive and arguable part of your
thesis statement. (This part answers "important to remember" and is the key to your literary
argument. Be bold and persuasive.)

Structure
8. How are going to build your argument? Let us focus on the topical format. You have an angle-
- an interpretation you want to prove. How will you prove it (answer the following questions)?

8.a. What is your thesis? (Should contain narrative strategies and interpretation- to what
effect, significance, reader engagement, etc.)

8.b. What is the first point you want to make?

8.c. How do the two novels compare/contrast regarding this first point?

8.d. What is the second point you want to make?

8.e. How do the two novels compare/contrast regarding this second point?
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8.f. What is the third point you want to make?

8.g. How do the two novels compare/contrast regarding this third point?

Etc. for additional points

9. Write a concluding paragraph where you review your development of idea. This includes a
summary of what you observed, the textual details (analysis) that support that observation, and
the interpretation that culminates from your observation and analysis (your thesis).