Essay Writing Techniques and Short Stories

PEEL Paragraph

• A PEEL paragraph is a method for structuring essays and paragraphs, helping organize ideas.
• Point: States the main argument or viewpoint.
• Evidence: Supports the point with factual data.
• Explanation: Explains how the evidence supports the point.
• Link: Connects back to the main argument.

MLA Structure, Formatting, and Citation

• Pages should have one-inch margins and be double-spaced.
• The heading includes student name, instructor name, course title, and date.
• The header includes the student's last name and page number, located in the right corner of each page.
• Citations on a Works Cited page use a hanging indent and are alphabetized.
• Citation order: Author's last name, first name; "Title of the work"; Title of the container; other contributors; version number; publisher; publication date; location.

Short Story Unit

• A short story is a brief fictional narrative focusing on a single theme or character.
• Key elements of a short story include plot, character, setting, conflict, and theme.

Poetry Unit

• Poetry expresses ideas, emotions, or stories through a distinctive style and rhythm.
• Elements include meter, rhyme, imagery, and figurative language.
• Formal poetry (sonnets, haikus, ballads) and modern poetry (free verse, slam poetry, odes) are different types.
• Visual poetry uses visual elements like concrete poetry.
• Figurative language includes simile, metaphor, personification, and alliteration.
• Enjambment is a continuation of a sentence across lines, while caesura is a pause within a line.

Mythology Unit

• Oral tradition is the passing of stories, customs, and beliefs through spoken word between generations.
• Myths explain natural phenomena and cultural beliefs, often involving supernatural beings.
• Myths commonly include gods, heroes, creation or morality themes, and cosmic/earthly settings.
• Legends are narratives with historical elements, and embellishments that enhance the narration.
• Urban legends are modern myths that often circulate as true stories.
• Fables are short stories that teach a moral lesson, typically using animals as characters.
• Archetypes are typical characters, actions, or situations with universal significance; they are categorized as character, situational, or symbolic archetypes.

Hero's Journey Unit

• The hero's journey is a narrative structure outlining a hero's adventure, transformation, and growth.
• Heroes can be born into greatness or called to adventure through external forces.
• Joseph Campbell introduced the concept in his work "The Hero with a Thousand Faces."
• The hero's journey consists of departure, initiation, and return phases.
• The 12 stages of the hero's journey include: the ordinary world, call to adventure, refusal of the call, meeting the mentor, crossing the threshold etc.

Image Analysis

• Analyze images based on composition, symbolism, visual storytelling, and historical/cultural context.

Vocabulary

• PEEL paragraph elements: Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link.
• Hero's journey elements: Return, Mentor, Hubris, Redemption, Herald, Initiation, Divine favor, Boon, Departure.