How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay!

Goes from BROAD to SPECIFIC!! Introduction: Opens with a hook to grab your reader’s attention. Fact, Quote, Anecdote, Statistic, or Interesting Statement Connection: Provides background info (Title, author, SHORT plot summary) Gives the who, what, when, and where Leads into a THESIS statement. Goes from BROAD to SPECIFIC!!

Thesis Thesis statement should be ARGUMENTATIVE…meaning you are going to try and PROVE your thesis through your examples/quotes in your body paragraphs. Thesis should have THREE parts: Arthur Miller’s The Crucible explores the themes of mass hysteria, mob rule, and abuse of power in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.

Body Paragraphs Minimum of three; Answers the WHY and HOW? Each body paragraph must follow the 2 chunk model: needs a topic sentence (the direction of the paragraph), 2 direct quotes, analysis, and a concluding transition sentence. Each paragraph must be directly tied to your thesis. If your points are not “proving” your thesis, then you are off track! The MEAT of your paper

Embedding Quotes #1 rule: your quote MUST serve a purpose. If it does not support your thesis, don’t use it! All quotes MUST be INTRODUCED and ANALYZED. NO QUOTE BOMBS!!!! You must discuss/analyze your quote after you’ve introduced it and put it in your paper. Why is it there? HOW does it relate to your thesis? Make your point.

No puctuation inside “” marks! More Quote Stuff Each quote must be cited properly. “Oh Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer” (55). End quote with a period after the ( ) No puctuation inside “” marks! If the quote ends with an ! or a ?, the punctuation goes inside the quotation marks Indicate the page number inside the parenthesis. No pg or p needed!

Mmm..Quote Sandwich When analyzing a quote, make a quote sandwich!! Introduce it with speaker, receiver, context(top bun), quote (turkey, ham, pb&j), analyze it (bottom bun). In Act 2, Elizabeth and John have an argument about John’s adultery. When tells Elizabeth, “your justice would freeze beer” (55) he is referencing how cold and distant their marriage has become. She continues to judge him and has not forgiven him for his affair with Abigail which lead to continued marital problems and John blaming Elizabeth for being unforgiving and judgmental.

STILL more quotes! If a quote is 4 lines or longer, you need to “block quote” Indent the quote in its own paragraph. After the long quote, go back to the default setting and analyze. You DO NOT have to use an entire quote. If only a few words can sum up what you’re trying to prove, then JUST use those few words. No need for extra words!!

Conclusion Restate your thesis (DO NOT COPY AND PASTE) Sum up any important information/points made in your essay. NO NEW INFORMATION End your paper with a larger world feel – leave your reader thinking…give them something to ponder. Specific to broad

Tips and Tricks! No 1st Person (no I, me, you, we) Write in present tense (Abby loves John) and stay consistent! Make sure your thesis order and body paragraphs follow the same order! Include the author’s full name in the intro only! After that, refer to him by his last name only (Miller). Remember: Analysis and Plot summary are NOT the same thing. Focus on the HOW and WHY and the overall importance/significance! 