The Literary Analysis Essay Advanced Placement Literature & Composition

What is literary analysis? A literary analysis essay is an attempt to evaluate and understand the work of an author, either a single work or an entire body of work. Literary criticism is a description, analysis, evaluation, or interpretation of a particular literary work or an author’s writings as a whole.

Different types of analyses: Character analysis Point of view analysis Analysis of setting Analysis of theme Analysis of structure Analysis of style

Advanced analyses: Examining the work in relation to any of the following: A larger literary tradition A larger aesthetic, political, social, economic, or religious concept How the components work together as a whole, single piece of text

Specific criteria: Minimum of five paragraphs Clearly articulated thesis statement Quotations embedded (textual evidence) ANALYSIS!!!!! Typed, double-spaced

Introduction The introduction to your essay MUST introduce the author, the title of the story, provide cultural or temporal context, introduce thematic elements and explain which literary devices the author uses to develop theme.

Your entire essay should be written in present tense! Remember!! Your entire essay should be written in present tense!

Examples of literary devices: Setting Characterization (character’s actions, inner thoughts, motivations, etc.) Foreshadowing Irony Point of view Use of symbols

Don’t forget to TAG it! T-title A-author G-genre Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his short story “Young Goodman Brown,” reveals that even the most pure-hearted and faithful individuals can be seduced by the power of evil.

Body paragraphs Each body paragraph must focus on one literary device and how the author uses the device to develop the theme of the story. Example: In Hemingway’s story, he uses light and shadow images in order to reveal which characters have faced the inevitability of death and which characters have not.

Quotations: Each body paragraph MUST include at least one embedded quotation that supports the thesis statement. This quotation should be discussed in relation to HOW it shows or highlights the assertion made in the thesis.

Embedding Quotations: Using quotations is important in the writing process because they add strong evidence when used appropriately. However, embedding quotations effectively into sentences is just as important as finding the correct quotations to use. Correctly embedded quotations move the reader from the quoted text back into the paragraph smoothly. Homann, Cassia “Embedding Quotations” San Jose State Writing Center http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/

Using Signal Phrases Signal phrases introduce the story a quotation is from, the character who said it (or author who wrote it), or both. They are crucial for embedding quotations properly.

Some Signal Phrases: according to writes discusses explains states points out argues notes claims demonstrates proposes asserts

Strategies for embedding quotations: Off-set quotations Built in quotations Introducing quotations with a colon

Examples: off-set quotations As Jane Smith asserts, “A duck’s quack does not echo.” “Cheese is the most stolen food in the world,” according to Jane Smith. In the article “Snails,” Jane Smith writes, “Snails can sleep for three years without eating.”

Examples of built-in quotations: In the interest of animal sleeping habits, Jane Smith proposes that “dolphins sleep with one eye open.” Jane Smith points out, in her article about the sun, “only 55% of all Americans know that the sun is a star.”

Introducing quotations with a colon: In her book about pets, Jane Smith discusses the benefits of owning a dog: “Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression and lower levels of stress that people who do not own dogs.” Jane Smith argues that there are many good reasons for consuming dark chocolate: “Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, and is high is vitamins and minerals.”

Remember!! Failure to include quotations (textual evidence) in your essay will result in a grade of zero (0) for formatting.

Conclusion In your conclusion, RESTATE your thesis using different words. Explain what conclusions you have drawn by analyzing the work. Do NOT use the words “in conclusion”!

It’s all in the details… Minimum paper length: five paragraphs Use formal register: no personal pronouns or contractions Entire paper should be in present tense You MUST have at least one quotation in each body paragraph.

Essays are… Opinions, supported by evidence, relating to some stylistic, technical, literary, or biographical aspect of a writer’s work. Advice: keep it simple!

Summary versus Analysis A summary retells a story An analysis examines the cause and effect of an incident in the story, compares or contrasts two characters or events, explains how or why an event occurred, etc.

Essential Question: Why?

Parting words… Proof-read your paper before submitting Make sure you have NOTHING from the Verboten List in your paper Make sure you have typed and double-spaced your entire essay.

Questions?