Literary Analysis Paragraph Structure

Main Paragraph Parts Topic Sentence – Topic Sentence – Support Sandwiches Support Sandwiches –Claim: Your argument or point –Evidence: Examples and details from the text –Warrant: Commentary and discussion that links the evidence to your claim (Here is where you display your thinking.) Closing sentence Closing sentence

Topic Sentence Might be preceded by sentence with author/title Might be preceded by sentence with author/title Makes clear the subject of the paragraph Makes clear the subject of the paragraph According to Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a true victim is someone who, no matter what they do or try, cannot seem to make their lives better because of their disadvantages in society.

Claim Indicates the specific point you are making with this text detail. Indicates the specific point you are making with this text detail. Is generally its own sentence. It might include context of the quotation. Is generally its own sentence. It might include context of the quotation.

Evidence Should be in the form of: Direct quotations – anything copied from the text (preferred) Direct quotations – anything copied from the text (preferred) –“In quotation marks with page” (#). The specific quotation should relate to the definition (not just the event when the quote takes place). The specific quotation should relate to the definition (not just the event when the quote takes place). VERY RARELY, when quoting is awkward or difficult, summarize specific text events. (for this paper, use all quotations!)

Evidence – Set it Up Quotes should not be simply ‘dropped.’ Introduce quotes and give context. Introduce quotes and give context. –The Prince highlights the violence in the conflict when he reprimands the families for “Three civil brawls…” Do NOT announce a quote Do NOT announce a quote –‘This quote shows…’ YUK! (I know it’s a quote and what it’s doing there!) (I know it’s a quote and what it’s doing there!)

Punctuation Introduce quote with either a comma, colon, or neither. Scout said, “I want to go to the tailgating party tonight after school” (30). Scout said, “I want to go to the tailgating party tonight after school” (30). She later reflected on thought of a better idea: “Well, perhaps I can go with my friends and stay for the game against SLUH, too” (33). She later reflected on thought of a better idea: “Well, perhaps I can go with my friends and stay for the game against SLUH, too” (33). Choosing a team to root for would be simple; she always choose “the team with the brightest colors” to win the game (35). Choosing a team to root for would be simple; she always choose “the team with the brightest colors” to win the game (35).

Warrant: Analyze It Explains the quotation and its context Explains the quotation and its context Analyzes the quote’s larger meaning Analyzes the quote’s larger meaning Links the quotation to the claim and your topic sentence Links the quotation to the claim and your topic sentence  the SO WHAT NOTE: A strong paragraph should have at least THREE detail/commentary sets A stand-alone paragraph, FOUR+

Keys to a good Warrant Be aware of the key ideas/words in your topic sentence. Be aware of the key ideas/words in your topic sentence. Point out specific words in the quotation. Point out specific words in the quotation. Explain how the two directly link Explain how the two directly link QUOTE   WARRANT   TOPIC SENT. QUOTE   WARRANT   TOPIC SENT. According to Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a true victim is someone who, no matter what they do or try, cannot seem to make their lives better because of their disadvantages in society.

Support Sandwich Review CLAIM – What you are trying to demonstrate with your quote CLAIM – What you are trying to demonstrate with your quote EVIDENCE – the quote itself, embedded with context EVIDENCE – the quote itself, embedded with context WARRANT – HOW the quote fits the key ideas of the topic sentence (definition ) WARRANT – HOW the quote fits the key ideas of the topic sentence (definition ). Tom Robinson is victimized because of his race in the predominantly white American South. After the trial, Atticus explains to Jem that there was nothing Tom could have done to win the case: “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” (220). After the trial, Atticus explains to Jem that there was nothing Tom could have done to win the case: “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” (220). Even though Tom does everything right, from helping Mayella to telling the truth in court, he still will lose. The prejudice of the white jury will “always” cause a black man to be a victim. Even though Tom does everything right, from helping Mayella to telling the truth in court, he still will lose. The prejudice of the white jury will “always” cause a black man to be a victim.

Closing Sentence Connects together the support sandwiches to round out your overall argument Connects together the support sandwiches to round out your overall argument

Other Guidelines Write in third person (no I, you, we…) Write in third person (no I, you, we…) Use present tense: Use present tense: –The book happens all over again every time someone opens it Use proper format (double-space, 12 point, MLA heading, centered title) Use proper format (double-space, 12 point, MLA heading, centered title)

Claim-Evidence-Warrant. After the trial, Atticus explains to Jem that there was nothing Tom could have done to win the case: “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” (220). Even though Tom does everything right, from helping Mayella to telling the truth in court, he still will lose. The prejudice of the white jury will “always” cause a black man to be a victim. Tom Robinson is victimized because of his race in the predominantly white American South. After the trial, Atticus explains to Jem that there was nothing Tom could have done to win the case: “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” (220). Even though Tom does everything right, from helping Mayella to telling the truth in court, he still will lose. The prejudice of the white jury will “always” cause a black man to be a victim.

Other Guidelines Include transitions between support items Include transitions between support items –Additionally, next, as a result, another example of Embed quotations as much as possible: Embed quotations as much as possible: –Lee describes Miss Caroline Fisher as “a peppermint drop” (16).

Your turn! Select the four quotations that best support your definition. Select the four quotations that best support your definition. Which are strongest? Which show different elements of the definition? Which are strongest? Which show different elements of the definition? Write the support sandwich for each of these text details. (Do not worry yet about order, flow, transitions, etc.) Write the support sandwich for each of these text details. (Do not worry yet about order, flow, transitions, etc.) Bring a printed copy AND have digital access to the document for our next class. Bring a printed copy AND have digital access to the document for our next class.

WARNING: The next slide shows a complete paragraph. It is there to show all of the paragraph parts, including topic and closing sentences. However, it is NOT a definition assignment, so it may be confusing rather than helpful. (Also, it has three support sandwiches rather than the four required for this assignment!)

Helen Robinson is a symbolic mockingbird who is generally not harmed and is even protected by some members of the Maycomb community. Helen has a ‘song’ which is working hard to have a respectable family and house. When Atticus visits with the news of Tom’s death, her children are happily playing on the front steps and Helen politely greets Atticus: “ ‘evenin’, Mr. Finch, won’t you have a seat?’” (240). Clearly, Helen is a positive member of her community; she is respectable and polite even through life has been hard for her black family. Helen is also a mockingbird because of her vulnerability. She is an easy target for Mr. Ewell who harasses and upsets Helen on her way to and from work. As he follows her, Helen hears “A soft voice, crooning foul words” (249). No one else knows how this upsets her, and she does her best to avoid him, but she cannot accomplish this on her own. Despite her vulnerability, Link Deas makes sure that she is left alone. Mr. Deas not only gives Helen a job, but threatens Bob Ewell that he’ll “‘have you up for assault’” (249). In accordance with Lee’s theme of protecting those who are vulnerable and innocent, Link Deas recognizes that Helen has no one to help her, especially now that Tom is dead, and he admirably steps up to shield this “mockingbird” from danger. Thankfully, society does not “kill” this mockingbird and actually protects her from further harm. Helen Robinson is a symbolic mockingbird who is generally not harmed and is even protected by some members of the Maycomb community. Helen has a ‘song’ which is working hard to have a respectable family and house. When Atticus visits with the news of Tom’s death, her children are happily playing on the front steps and Helen politely greets Atticus: “ ‘evenin’, Mr. Finch, won’t you have a seat?’” (240). Clearly, Helen is a positive member of her community; she is respectable and polite even through life has been hard for her black family. Helen is also a mockingbird because of her vulnerability. She is an easy target for Mr. Ewell who harasses and upsets Helen on her way to and from work. As he follows her, Helen hears “A soft voice, crooning foul words” (249). No one else knows how this upsets her, and she does her best to avoid him, but she cannot accomplish this on her own. Despite her vulnerability, Link Deas makes sure that she is left alone. Mr. Deas not only gives Helen a job, but threatens Bob Ewell that he’ll “‘have you up for assault’” (249). In accordance with Lee’s theme of protecting those who are vulnerable and innocent, Link Deas recognizes that Helen has no one to help her, especially now that Tom is dead, and he admirably steps up to shield this “mockingbird” from danger. Thankfully, society does not “kill” this mockingbird and actually protects her from further harm.