Writing the body paragraphs Literary Analysis

Body Paragraph Format (A)Transitional word/phrase/idea plus a topic sentence about the first point you want to make about your thesis (B,C,D,E,F,G) Detail/support/example showing what you mean by the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence (H) Closing sentence: Reflection back on how that example or source proved your point

Sample Topic Sentences Guy Montag’s entire life was turned upside down the moment he met Clarisse McClellan. Although equally important as the development of Montag, the development of Mildred was accomplished by Clarisse in a very different manner. As the cornerstone for the whole novel Clarisse’s thoughts and beliefs are introduced almost immediately.

Sample Topic Sentences The novel opens with a description of Montag and his job as a fireman. Montag begins his transition from stern fireman to caring book lover when he meets his neighbor, Clarisse. Montag remains cool and collective on the outside as he deals with conflicting thoughts on the inside. Montag’s character transformation is slowed because the process is only safe internally. Montag becomes fundamentally different from the population. Later, Montag faces a much more difficult decision. He must choose between abandoning his mission to do what is right, or to murder his boss. Somehow avoiding the massive manhunt that ensued, Montag meets up with several other outcasts by society’s standards.

Body Paragraph Format (A)Transitional word/phrase/idea plus a topic sentence about the first point you want to make about your thesis (B,C,D,E,F,G) Detail/support/example showing what you mean by the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence (H) Closing sentence: Reflection back on how that example or source proved your point

Example #1 (A) Perhaps the largest symbol within Fahrenheit 451 is the symbol of fire. (B)The use of fire as a symbol in literature is generally one of a few things. (C) Commonly, fire symbolizes destruction and disaster which happens to be a key component of this novel. (D) The symbolism of fire being such a destructive force is described by Montag, the main protagonist, as he recalls, “…he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black”(1). (E) When fire is left to have a will of its own, or when someone reckless or with the intent of spreading the destruction is left with fire then fire is going to do what it does naturally: burn. (F) As the book progresses, the reader begins to understand that absolutely no one is safe from the destruction of the flames. (G) Whether it be a woman who had done nothing wrong but love books, or a firefighter that strayed down the path that society deemed “wrong”, everyone was subjected to the flames that have ruined so many lives before. This is, of course, only one way that the fire was conceived.

Example #2 (A) The novel opens with a description of Montag and his job as a fireman. (B) His only task at work is to burn the printed books left in the futuristic world. Montag is passionate about his work. When burning books, “[he] grin[s] the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame” (2). (C) In the beginning, Montag is just like everyone else. He works a seemingly normal job, and goes home to his wife at the end of the day. (D) Montag possesses all the traits of normality in his society. (E) Montag is one of the many conformers in his society. (F) He looks and, more importantly, thinks like everyone else. (G) The other firemen were even “mirror images of himself” (30). The opening passage, if nothing else, serves as a comparison point for Montag. (H) Montag changes drastically over the course of the novel. When the new Montag is juxtaposed to his former self, the character changes are easy to see.

Body Paragraph Format (A)Transitional word/phrase/idea plus a topic sentence about the first point you want to make about your thesis (B,C,D,E,F,G) Detail/support/example showing what you mean by the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence (H) Closing sentence: Reflection back on how that example or source proved your point