Question

so lets start with flatness. characters in a fairy tale are always flat (whether little red riding hood, stepmother, hedgehog, or beast.) in \the rosebud,\ we have a mother and two children, one identified only as \the youngest\ and one discarded after the first sentence. fairy-tale characters are silhouettes, mentioned simply because they are there. they are not given many emotions-perhaps one, such as happy or sad-and they are not in psychological conflict.... this absence of depth, this flatness, violates a technical rule writers are often taught in beginning writing classes: that a characters psychological depth is crucial to a story. in a fairy tale, however, this flatness functions beautifully; it allows depth of response in the reader.
-\fairy tale is form, form is fairy tale,\
kate bernheimer

how does the writer effectively structure the body paragraph to develop the central idea that fairy tales are important? check all that apply.

by presenting an effective thesis statement
by beginning with a topic related to the central idea
by defining the topic discussed
by providing examples related to the topic
by concluding the central idea

Explanation:

Analyze the paragraph's opening

The paragraph begins with: "So let's start with flatness. Characters in a fairy tale are always flat..." This introduces the specific topic of "flatness" in fairy tales, which directly supports the central idea of how fairy tales function and why they are structured the way they are. Thus, the writer begins with a topic related to the central idea.

Examine definitions within the text

The writer defines what "flatness" means in this context: "Fairy-tale characters are silhouettes, mentioned simply because they are there. They are not given many emotions... and they are not in psychological conflict." This serves to define the topic being discussed (Fairy Tale Elements).

Identify examples used

The writer provides concrete examples to illustrate this flatness: "whether Little Red Riding Hood, Stepmother, Hedgehog, or Beast" and "In 'The Rosebud,' we have a mother and two children..." These are direct examples related to the topic.

Analyze the conclusion of the paragraph

The paragraph concludes by linking this flatness back to the broader significance: "In a fairy tale, however, this flatness functions beautifully; it allows depth of response in the reader." This explains the importance of the form, thereby concluding and reinforcing the central idea (Central Idea Identification).

Evaluate remaining options

• "by presenting an effective thesis statement": A thesis statement belongs in the introductory paragraph of an essay, not within a body paragraph (Essay Organization). Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Answer:

• by presenting an effective thesis statement
• by beginning with a topic related to the central idea (Correct answer)
• by defining the topic discussed (Correct answer)
• by providing examples related to the topic (Correct answer)
• by concluding the central idea (Correct answer)