Question

This is a prompt for a high school English language arts class.

Read the excerpt from chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby. What does Nick’s description of Gatsby’s smile suggest about Gatsby’s character? How does Nick’s use of language, including diction and figurative language, produce this effect? Use details from the text to support your response.

Which format and purpose are most appropriate for a response to this prompt?

a personal narrative that describes the writer’s experience of reading The Great Gatsby
an analytical essay that tells what Nick’s description of Gatsby’s smile may mean
an argumentative essay that explains whether Nick’s description of Gatsby’s smile is unfair
a personal statement that gives the writer’s opinion of The Great Gatsby

Answer 1

The most appropriate choice is:
- an analytical essay that tells what Nick’s description of Gatsby’s smile may mean.

Why: the prompt asks you to interpret what the description suggests about Gatsby’s character and to analyze how Nick’s language (diction and figurative language) creates that effect, using textual details. An analytical essay is the format designed for close reading, thesis-driven interpretation, and use of evidence and explanation.

(Other options are less suitable: a personal narrative or personal statement focuses on the reader’s experience/opinion rather than textual analysis; an argumentative essay about fairness would shift the task from interpreting meaning to defending a judgment.)