Literary Analysis C. Wallis

Literary Analysis The purpose of analysis is to practice looking closely at small parts of a piece of literature to determine how they affect the whole.

Literary Analysis The purpose of analysis is to practice looking closely at small parts of a piece of literature to determine how they affect the whole. A Literary Analysis focuses on how plot, structure, character, setting, and other literary techniques are used by an author to create meaning.

Literary Analysis The purpose of analysis is to practice looking closely at small parts of a piece of literature to determine how they affect the whole. A Literary Analysis focuses on how plot, structure, character, setting, and other literary techniques are used by an author to create meaning. In a literary analysis essay, a writer uses evidence from within the text to convey a unique interpretation of that text.

Ideas for Literary Analysis Things to examine when writing a literary analysis: Theme Characters Plot Setting Style

Theme What concepts or ideas does the author explore? (examples: courage, betrayal, trust, etc.) What social issues shape the story? (Examples: Racism, loneliness, tradition, etc.) What lesson does the main character or the reader learn by the end of the story? (Examples: the importance of being yourself, don’t judge a book by its cover, etc.)

Characters How does a character grow or change from the beginning of the story to the end? What factors influence the actions of a character? Setting, conflicts, relationships, etc. How does the author use thoughts, words, and actions to reflect the personality of a character? How does the author use action and dialogue to make characters seem believable? How do supporting characters (smaller characters) shape the story?

Plot How does the author use conflict throughout the story? Most dangerous game How does the author use conflict throughout the story? How does the author create a sense of growing suspense? How do plot twists shape the story? Odyssey

Plot (continued) What impact does the climax have on the rest of the story? What pattern of fiction does the story follow? (Hero’s journey, boy meets girl, etc)

Setting What effect does the setting have on the characters? Do they have to struggle to survive? Are there rules that get in the way of what they want to do?

Setting (continued) What does the story reveal about life in a specific time and place? How would you describe the setting- realistic, fantastic (fantasy), or some combination?

Style Most dangerous game How does the author use imagery to create the overall mood of the book? How do dialogue and description shape the writing? What key figures of speech (idioms) does the author use? How do these add to the writing? “The sea was as flat as a plate glass window” –Most Dangerous Game