Literary analysis format

MLA heading Jack Johnson Mr. DeLisle British Lit. -3rd block 4 August 2016

Intro: include reference author / work, lead-in (hook), and a clear and concise thesis (open) – last sentence. If a thematic focus, be sure to use the thematic template: “Is about” (abstract idea) and “reveals” (something about the human condition). Be concise with your intro, as well Claim: point using to support your thesis (literary elements, etc.) Evidence: support from text (blended)-Lead into support with a phrase/clause Ex: At the point in the novel when his son dies, Henry says, “_______________”(2-4). Do not include evidence in your claim. Watch out for comma splices!

Interpretation(3-4 sentences / 2-3 supporting details): explain how material from text proves claim/thesis – do not summarize! Transition to next supporting detail: “To further illustrate /develop…”. Also, avoid writing “This shows,” this proves,” this means” after your supporting detail Transition to next body paragraph: lead into next claim – clue / foreshadow next main point Conclusion – try to beyond recap of main points of text. Consider: contemporary connection to world at large / reader, universal human experience/condition, idea. Do not write “In conclusion”

Other things to remember 3rd person – no I, me, you, we, us, our, etc. present tense: was=is, were=are, ed, en, d, t=s Passive voice: “The apple was eaten by Tommy,” should read Tommy ate the apple” Avoid contractions / informal language Poems in quotation marks, as well as short stories and articles. Underline / italicize titles of novels and plays.

To help develop style (syntax), be sure to use a variety of sentence structures, particularly the use of introductory phrases and clauses Be sure to use literary terminology

The_____________,by_____________, is about_____________ genre/title author (abstract concept) And reveals_______________________________________. assertion about the human condition

Thesis The poem “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, and Where, and Why,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, is about insubstantial relationships and ultimately reveals the fleeting nature of life and human experience.

Claim At the onset of the poem, emotive language is used to create a heavy, somber, and elegiac mood. In the 1st stanza of the poem, the word “ghosts” (1) suggests that the speaker’s past relationships are insubstantial. The word also suggests that the speaker may be frightened by the remembrance of loves because they may bring back frightening and haunting memories of lost loves from which she is not able escape. To further illustrate …..