The Tell-Tale Heart
Writing Strategies 1.3:In The Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator tells the story
in such a way as to reveal gradually his own character traits. As readers learn more about
the narrator, they feel suspense. Write an essay in which you describe the details the narrator
reveals about himself and tell how this information builds suspense.
Narrator’s Character Traits
Denys His Madness
Quote: ________________
Begins be denying that he is mad
Continues this throughout the story
The reader starts to wonder if he is indeed mad
Nervous & Angry
Quote:_________________
Reader anticipates a big event or eruption
This adds to the suspense
Narrator’s Character Traits
Intelligent & Cautious
Quote: ________________
He describes how many days he has planned and waited to kill the old man
Added clue to his madness
Builds suspense
Intrigued By Old Man’s Fear
Quote:_________________
More evidence that the old man is not normal
Narrator’s Character Traits
Pleased By Arrival of Police
Quote: ________________
Starts with pleasure
Builds to hysteria
Turns to fear & anger
Insanity
Quote:_________________
Shocking conclusion
Suspense was warranted
Introduction
(Start with a good hook, like an idiom, metaphor, analogy, etc…) The author, Edgar Allan Poe, wrote a short story titled “The Tell-Tale Heart.” In the story, the narrator recounts the day his own insanity caused him to kill an old man. The narrator revealed details about himself, and his insanity, throughout the story that helped build the level of suspense for the reader.
Body Paragraph #1
Pick a character trait to discuss. Make sure to refer to your thesis when writing the transition.
Pick a relevant quote.
Your opinion is your thesis, so go back to that.
Make a meaningful connection!
Body Paragraph #2
Pick another character trait to discuss. Make sure to refer to your thesis when writing the transition.
Pick a relevant quote.
Your opinion is your thesis, so go back to that.
Make a meaningful connection!
Body Paragraph #3
Pick another character trait to discuss. Make sure to refer to your thesis when writing the transition.
Pick a relevant quote.
Your opinion is your thesis, so go back to that.
Make a meaningful connection!
Concluson
All of this convincing evidence proves that the narrator was not completely sane. This short story deeply affected me because _________________________________________________________.___________________________________________________________.(Write a fantastic snappy ending).