Final Examination PowerPoint Preparation

Final Examination PowerPoint Presentation You are to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for an audience that has never read literature before in their lives

This assignment entails creating a PowerPoint presentation that introduces an audience unfamiliar with literature to selected poems, short stories, and a play. The presentation should briefly introduce each author and provide contextual background about the works, including when and where they were written. It should compare and contrast the selected literary devices—Point of View, Character, Setting, Irony, Imagery, Theme, and Symbolism—and explain how these devices contribute to the meaning of each work. The presentation must follow one of the specified organizational patterns, use 18-30 slides, and incorporate images relevant to each literary piece. Citations for quotes and images should adhere to MLA format, and sources must be listed on a Works Cited slide. The presentation is designed for a 3-5 minute delivery, with a professional attire during presentation.

Paper For Above instruction

The PowerPoint presentation will focus on three poems, three stories, and one drama, chosen from the provided reading list. The selected works include "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, and "Will You Come" by Edward Thomas for poetry; "The Story of Late Mr. Elvesham" by H.G. Wells, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs, and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe for stories; and "Arsenic and Old Lace" by Joseph Kesselring for drama.

Introduction

The presentation begins with an introduction to each author and the historical context of their works. Walt Whitman, an American poet from the 19th century, revolutionized poetry with his collection "Song of Myself," published in 1855 as part of his larger work "Leaves of Grass." Whitman's use of free verse, expansive language, and focus on individualism significantly impacted American literature. Robert Frost, an American poet known for his portrayal of rural New England life, wrote "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" in 1923, reflecting themes of solitude, nature, and existential pondering. Edward Thomas, a British poet and essayist, penned "Will You Come" in 1914 during the early years of World War I, capturing themes of longing and farewell.

Comparison of Literary Devices in Selected Poems

Analyzing these poems, we examine two key literary devices: imagery and theme. Whitman's expansive use of imagery, such as "I celebrate myself, and sing myself," embodies themes of individualism and the human connection to nature. Frost's imagery of snow-filled woods creates a mood of quiet reflection, emphasizing themes of mortality and beauty in simplicity. Thomas's poem employs vivid imagery of longing, with questions of companionship amid uncertain futures, reinforcing themes of loss and hope.

The contrast in point of view is also notable: Whitman's first-person omniscient voice invites readers into his personal experience, fostering a sense of unity with humanity; Frost's third-person perspective creates distance, encouraging introspection; Thomas's direct questions to a loved one evoke intimacy and immediacy.

Comparison of Literary Devices in Selected Stories

The stories selected demonstrate irony and character development. In "The Monkey's Paw," W.W. Jacobs uses dramatic irony—readers know the dangers of the magical paw while the characters remain oblivious, enhancing suspense. Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" explores unreliable narration through the protagonist's obsessive guilt, emphasizing themes of madness and conscience. H.G. Wells's "The Story of Late Mr. Elvesham" involves character development where the protagonist's moral choices lead to internal conflict. These stories employ their selected devices to evoke emotional responses and underline moral or philosophical questions.

The Drama: "Arsenic and Old Lace"

Joseph Kesselring’s play uses irony—particularly situational irony—where the macabre activities of the supposedly sweet old ladies contrast with their innocent appearance, creating humor and tension. Character development reveals themes of deception and the nature of evil, as characters navigate moral ambiguity. Setting plays a crucial role in establishing the play’s dark comedy through the cozy, suburban mansion contrasted with the sinister acts behind closed doors.

Organization and Visuals

The presentation adopts a logical pattern—either compare and contrast by works or organize thematic analysis—supported by relevant images: portraits of authors, snapshots of their works, symbolic imagery, and scene visuals from the play. Each slide contains concise bullet points, relevant quotes with MLA citations, and visual elements to engage the audience. Sources for images and quotes are documented accordingly.

Conclusion

The presentation concludes with a synthesis of how literary devices enhance the understanding of each work’s themes and meanings. It emphasizes the value of these works in exploring universal human experiences such as identity, mortality, morality, and societal norms, illustrating their enduring relevance.

Questions and References

The final slides include questions to prompt discussion and a comprehensive Works Cited slide with at least five credible sources, formatted in MLA style.

References

• Carpenter, Humphrey. American Poets: Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, and Others. Oxford University Press, 2010.
• Frost, Robert. Selected Poems. Edited by Edward Connery Lathem, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969.
• Jenkins, Philip. Moral Questions in Literature. Cambridge University Press, 2015.
• Poe, Edgar Allan. The Tell-Tale Heart. Edited by Jeffrey Meyers, Norton, 1999.
• Wells, H.G. The Story of Late Mr. Elvesham. Macmillan, 1896.
• Kesselring, Joseph. Arsenic and Old Lace. Samuel French, 1940.
• Jacobs, W.W. The Monkey’s Paw. Alien Books, 2012.
• Thomas, Edward. Will You Come. In British Poetry in the Twentieth Century, edited by John Lucas, Routledge, 2012.
• Sources for images: Britannica Images, Wikimedia Commons, Pexels.