Comprehensive Literary and Essay Structure Terms for College Students

Irony

Contrast between expectations and reality

Juxtaposition

Placing two things side by side to emphasize differences

Motif

A recurring theme or image

Satire Techniques

Parody, reversal, incongruity, exaggeration

Persuasive Appeals

Ethos, pathos, logos

Status Quo

A term used in college essay structure

Inciting Incident

A term used in college essay structure

Raise the Stakes

A term used in college essay structure

Moment of Truth

A term used in college essay structure

MLA Format Basics

Includes in-text citation format, Works Cited page formatting, proper date formatting, proper citation of paraphrases and direct quotes, importance of embedding quotations naturally into writing, definition and examples of plagiarism

The Great Gatsby Themes

Corruption of the American Dream, class struggle (old money vs. new money vs. no money), the illusion vs. reality of characters' lives, symbolism

Rick Reilly's 'The Weak Shall Inherit the Gym'

Satirical tone and techniques, critique of modern attitudes toward competition and 'softness' in society, use of exaggeration and parody to argue for keeping dodgeball and competition in schools

College Essay Structure

Storytelling elements and where they belong

MLA Citation Skills

Quoting vs. paraphrasing, formatting in-text citations and Works Cited entries, understanding plagiarism and how to avoid it

Characters to Know: The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway, Tom Buchanan, Jay Gatsby, Meyer Wolfsheim, Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, Catherine, Owl Eyes, Michaelis, George Wilson, Klipspringer

Nick Carraway

Narrator; tries to remain impartial but learns judgment is inevitable

Tom Buchanan

Arrogant, racist, represents old money

Jay Gatsby

Dreamer, symbol of the corrupted American Dream

Meyer Wolfsheim

Shady businessman; symbolizes corruption and organized crime

Daisy Buchanan

Symbol of wealth and beauty; shallow and self-absorbed

Jordan Baker

Dishonest golfer; represents a jaded 'new woman' of the 1920s

Myrtle Wilson

Tom's mistress; desperate for a better life; represents lower class

Catherine

Myrtle's sister; part of the affair world

Owl Eyes

Amazed Gatsby's books are real; sees through Gatsby's facade

Michaelis

Neighbor who comforts George Wilson

George Wilson

Myrtle's husband; represents the destruction of the American Dream

Klipspringer

Lives at Gatsby's mansion; abandons Gatsby when he dies

Turtles All the Way Down

Vocabulary/Topics: Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, spirals, symbolism, psychological distress, internal conflict; Characters: Aza Holmes, Davis Pickett, Daisy Ramirez, Harold, Russell Pickett, Noah Pickett; Key Topics: Mental health portrayal, relationship dynamics, symbolism of Harold and the tuatara

The Poet X

Vocabulary/Topics: Confirmation, religious doubt, identity, allusion, symbolism, family dynamics; Characters: Xiomara Batista, Xavier Batista (Twin), Mami (Mother), Aman; Key Topics: Struggles with religion, body image, finding voice through poetry, betrayal and self-discovery