Page 142 - 2023-bfw-IdeasLit-TE-1e.indd

186 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS Organize a Line of Reasoning
Organize a Line of Reasoning We have probably all heard the frustrating words “because I said so!” at one time or
Students should organize their line of reasoning another — especially when we want to know why a decision was made or a request
was denied. These empty words never satisfy our desire to understand the reason for
based on the author’s techniques that create the the decision. Likewise, when you write a literary argument, simply making a claim
tone and contribute to an interpretation. In this and perhaps previewing your reasons is not enough. To justify your argument, you
step, students will write at least two topic must reveal why you believe as you do, as well as the progression of thought that led
sentences that include an author technique and to your position. Therefore, when you analyze a work of literature, you must justify
that link to the thesis statement. Teachers should your thesis with this logical progression of reasons, called the line of reasoning.
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
also guide students to consider the intentional Now that you have practiced writing thesis statements, you will develop
order of their body paragraphs. your line of reasoning in the body of your argument. You present your line of
reasoning in the topic sentences that begin each body paragraph; you develop
each reason within the paragraphs through commentary. So when you write your
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
topic sentences, make sure that they both provide a purpose for your evidence and
connect to your thesis in the first paragraph. In other words, your topic sentences
should do the following:
• Connect to the unifying idea in your thesis statement
• Present reasons to support your interpretation
• Establish a purpose for the evidence and commentary in the paragraph
• Reveal the reasons in a logical order
The order of your line of reasoning matters. Indeed, the progression of
thought that develops your thesis should move logically from one idea to another.
Therefore, you must present your insights in a thoughtful sequence that is informed
by the text, such as beginning to end, concrete to abstract, Tone A to Tone B.
Techniques represent the author’s literary “moves,” while elements are the spe-
cific tools the author uses to create the technique. You should use the techniques to
guide your line of reasoning and the elements to support that line of reasoning. A line
of reasoning may be organized by techniques. An author’s techniques (e.g., imagery,
contrast, comparison) are made up of elements. Techniques are larger than elements.

TRM Handout: Some Techniques and Elements
SOME TECHNIQUES AND ELEMENTS
Techniques Elements
Imagery connotation, allusion, personification, simile, motif
Contrast irony, juxtaposition, paradox, antithesis, imagery
Comparison simile, metaphor, conceit, image, allusion, symbol
Narration point of view, perspective, speaker, tone
Pacing sentence structure, flashback, foreshadowing, suspense, pause, variety
Emphasis subordination, coordination, cumulative sentence, periodic sentence, rhetorical
question, exaggeration, repetition, simple sentence, fragment
Balance coordination, parallelism, coordinating conjunction, repetition

03_williamlit1e_46174_ch02_116_207.indd 186 22/09/22 9:47 AM

186 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

03_williamlitte1e_47545_ch02_116_207_3pp.indd 186 08/12/22 5:43 PM