Skeleton Analysis: Creating a Solid Thesis What is your point in writing the thesis? What is the author’s overall message/intent? What is the Metaphorical Significance of the book? How do you connect the author’s meaning/metaphor to your reader?

An example On the surface, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a story about a young boy's quest for his own brand of freedom.  However, upon closer reading, Twain clearly uses the journey of Huck Finn to illustrate that our personal morality can be at odds with the morality of society.  If we are honest with ourselves, we will invariably know the difference between moral right and wrong. What does this thesis tell you in terms of: Metaphorical significance? What the author’s direction is? What to look for in terms of support?

Perhaps the most memorable trait of any species of bean tree is its remarkably deep roots. Despite it’s stable nature, the bean tree suffers greatly when Mother Nature drastically changes its course. There are countless ways by which a bean tree can lose its life, still its deep roots stay in tact and somehow, every year, it breathes life again. In Barbara Kingsolver’s The Bean Trees, nature’s cycle of rebirth is paralleled with the repeated death and resurrection of Turtle Greer.

Organize your Skeleton Thesis Statement: Must be written as analysis Quote #1 Support statement (analysis…tie into thesis) Quote #2 Support Statement (analysis…tie into thesis) Quote #3 Support Statement Quote #4 Conclusion

Literary Criticism Literary criticism analyzes, interprets, and evaluates works of literature. Authors present us with work that can have multiple meanings, expecting us to consider thoughtfully--to interpret.     Noted authors often have a body of criticism attached to their work.  Critics evaluate and debate the ideas of fellow critics.   When looking for criticism, check for: ~Credentials of the writer ~ Quality of the sources--journals, books, Websites ~ Opinions supported by evidence, relating to: Characterization Voice Style Theme Setting Technical qualities of the writing (artistry, style, use of language) Interpretation Complex ideas and problems Relationship of work to the time, or social, historical, or political trends When looking for criticism, AVOID: Plot summaries, SparkNotes, Pink Monkey, etc. Casual posts on discussion groups The works of other students Author biography