Literary Criticism Research Paper English III Honors Mrs. Templeton

Premise Develop an argument about some literary or social element Develop an argument about some literary or social element Develop a Thesis Statement Develop a Thesis Statement Paper will consist of: Paper will consist of: - primary source (book itself) - primary source (book itself) scholarly articles dealing with criticism scholarly articles dealing with criticism - and/or literary criticism anthologies - and/or literary criticism anthologies Text will be major source and articles will support Text will be major source and articles will support

Parts to Assignment Annotated Bibliography- discuss at least 3 sources you have found and a 3-5 line discussion on content and relevance Annotated Bibliography- discuss at least 3 sources you have found and a 3-5 line discussion on content and relevance Final paper- 3-6 page (4-7 including works cited) that delivers your argument Final paper- 3-6 page (4-7 including works cited) that delivers your argument

Basic Tips for Writing a Literary Analysis Paper Write in present tense Write in present tense Ex. In Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily,” the townspeople visit Emily Grierson’s house because it smells bad. Keep yourself out of the analysis– use the third person point of view. Keep yourself out of the analysis– use the third person point of view. Avoid summarizing the plot- Instead analyze (form a thesis about and explain) the story using literary terms. Avoid summarizing the plot- Instead analyze (form a thesis about and explain) the story using literary terms.

Tips Continued Include a clear thesis statement which addresses something meaningful about the literature, often about the theme Include a clear thesis statement which addresses something meaningful about the literature, often about the theme Use literary terms to discuss you points (i.e. character, theme, setting, rhyme, point of view, alliteration, symbols, imagery, figurative language, protagonist, etc.) Use literary terms to discuss you points (i.e. character, theme, setting, rhyme, point of view, alliteration, symbols, imagery, figurative language, protagonist, etc.) Don not confuse characters’ viewpoints with author’s viewpoints Don not confuse characters’ viewpoints with author’s viewpoints Support your points with many quotations and paraphrases, but write the majority of you paper in your own words with your own ideas Support your points with many quotations and paraphrases, but write the majority of you paper in your own words with your own ideas

Tips Continued Make sure you form your own opinion rather than merely restate those of critics. You may use the critics’ views to support yours Make sure you form your own opinion rather than merely restate those of critics. You may use the critics’ views to support yours Cite sources used according to MLA standards Cite sources used according to MLA standards

Coming Up With a Thesis Statement An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience. An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.

First Day in Library Browse through the resources and look at what is often discussed in the articles about your novel and author Browse through the resources and look at what is often discussed in the articles about your novel and author YOU will be analyzing and evaluating a topic regarding the novel as it is seen by yourself and by accredited critics. YOU will be analyzing and evaluating a topic regarding the novel as it is seen by yourself and by accredited critics.

Types of Thesis Statements Examine a technique: Examine a technique: Ex. William Faulkner utilizes stream of consciousness throughout As I Lay Dying to innovatively create a better grasp of a character’s literal perception of the world. Ex. William Faulkner utilizes stream of consciousness throughout As I Lay Dying to innovatively create a better grasp of a character’s literal perception of the world. Ex. Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes an abundant amount of symbolism in his novel The Scarlet Letter in order to elaborate on his deeper, often moral message of the book. Ex. Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes an abundant amount of symbolism in his novel The Scarlet Letter in order to elaborate on his deeper, often moral message of the book.

Thesis Statements continues Explain the main idea or message of something Explain the main idea or message of something Ex. John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath creates a strong political message that the exploitation of migrant workers would eventually create an uprising against what is seen as the oppressors. Ex. John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath creates a strong political message that the exploitation of migrant workers would eventually create an uprising against what is seen as the oppressors. Ex. Throughout her book The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison examines the degradation of African Americans by the American society. Ex. Throughout her book The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison examines the degradation of African Americans by the American society.

Thesis Statement continued Analyze the meaning of a character or image in the book Analyze the meaning of a character or image in the book Ex. George Babbitt in Sinclair Lewis’ famous text Babbitt is a satirical representation of the problems within society. Ex. George Babbitt in Sinclair Lewis’ famous text Babbitt is a satirical representation of the problems within society. Ex. James Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald's immortal novel The Great Gatsby is a representation of an “overachiever” in society and follows the concept of “tragic hero.” Ex. James Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald's immortal novel The Great Gatsby is a representation of an “overachiever” in society and follows the concept of “tragic hero.”

Advice Remember--- whatever topic you choose, you will want to find articles and information to support the discussion that you make. Remember--- whatever topic you choose, you will want to find articles and information to support the discussion that you make. This may include some historical information (from encyclopedias or other texts) and author background (from biographies or encyclopedias), This may include some historical information (from encyclopedias or other texts) and author background (from biographies or encyclopedias), You WILL want to find some pieces of accredited literary criticism as well. You WILL want to find some pieces of accredited literary criticism as well.