Literary Analysis Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements - Do Craft a clear, declarative statement that shows what you intend to prove about the reading Example: Henry Lee’s fierce sense of loyalty develops through relationships with those in his collected family, rather than from the influence of his biological family.

Thesis Statements – Don’t Don’t use phrases like “I think”, “I feel”, “I believe” etc. In fact, don’t use those kinds of phrases anywhere in the paper. Don’t cram too much info into the thesis Don’t make the reader guess what the thesis might be (see slide “Thesis Statements – Do”)

Literary Analysis Introductions

Introductions - Do State the name of the author(s) and piece(s) of literature that will be discussed in the paper Prepare your reader for the way you have interpreted the literature Include your thesis statement Keep it simple

Introductions – Don’t Don’t give too much away Don’t use quotes

Introduction Example Jamie Ford’s debut novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet explores complex relationships in young Henry Lee’s life during the difficult and impassioned years of World War II. As the son of Chinese immigrants, Henry is forbidden to associate with anyone with Japanese ancestry. When he befriends and falls in love with Keiko Okabe, Henry finds the persecution and internment of Japanese-Americans, including Keiko and her family, to be a pivotal time for his own moral development. Casting off his father’s teachings of hate and aggression toward the Japanese, Henry dares to follow his heart, and learns to trust those he has bonded with outside of his family. Henry Lee’s fierce sense of loyalty develops through relationships with those in his collected family, rather than from the influence of his biological family.

Literary Analysis Other Writing Tips

Paper Writing Tip - #1 Do NOT use “I” statements or “you” statements Mistake: When you read about Henry’s relationship with Keiko, you might think that they are too young to be in love. Correction: Henry and Keiko’s relationship may seem unrealistic since they are very young to be in love.

Paper Writing Tips - #2-3 Italicize a novel’s title When referring to an author, use his or her last name Ford’s novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, follows young Henry Lee’s devotion to Keiko Okabe, a Japanese-American girl interned during World War II.

Paper Writing Tip - #4 Literature is considered a living thing, no matter how old it really is Use present tense when writing about literature and the characters within it. Mistake: Henry loved Keiko because she taught him that life could be different than the intensely stressful and angry way that Henry’s father lived. Correction: Henry loves Keiko because she teaches him that life can be different than the intensely stressful and angry way that Henry’s father lives.

Title – should reflect the subject of your analysis Identity Conflicts Across Generations Loyalty in a Disloyal Time NOT: Literary Analysis Literary Analysis of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Literary Analysis

Lit Analysis Work Day What should I do? 1. Draft thesis and turn in thesis card 2. Respond to the questions in your notetaking packet 3. Find 2 quotes to fit each response Quotes should be 1-2 sentences in length Quotes need to fit the context of the question – must provide support (proof) of your answer 4. Check in with Mrs. Green or Mrs. Conn about your progress