Writing Literary Analysis

Introduction Paragraph Attention Grabber Compelling story Fascinating quotation Interesting question Stirring example Thesis Statement Primary focus/theory Three supporting details you plan to discuss

A Strong Thesis Statement: “Hassan’s loyalty brought guilt to Amir, but twenty years later Amir is released of his guilt when Rahm Khan sets out a challenge to Amir: ‘There is a way to be good again’.” “The theme of redemption is set at the onset of Khalen Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, and weaves its way through Amir’s two betrayals of Hassan, and his efforts to redeem himself in the rescue of Hassan’s son.”

Body Paragraphs Topic sentence Focus reflecting thesis Supporting detail(s) At least one quotation Properly introduced Properly cited With explanation of significance

Body Paragraph One “The theme of redemption is revealed in Amir’s first betrayal of Hassan in chapter 7, when Amir stands idly by as his loyal friend gets raped by Assef.

Body Paragraph Two “The theme of redemption is again displayed, upon Amir’s second betrayal to Hassan, when he frames Hassan for stealing his watch and money”

Body Paragraph Three “Rahim Khan tells Amir, ‘There is a way to be good again’, setting Amir off on a journey to redeem himself of his past progressions toward Hassan.”

Well-Used Quotations Amir’s first betrayal of Hassan comes when he literally turns his back on Hassan when Hassan needed him most. Amir says, “I ran because I was a coward. I was afraid of Assef and what he would do to me. I was afraid of getting hurt. That’s what I told myself as I turned my back to the allay, to Hassan” (68). Twenty years after Amir’s sins, he is given a chance to achieve redemption. Rahim Khan beckons Amir to Peshawar, “Come. There is a way to be good again” (168).

Conclusions Provide a summary or recap of details previously mentioned DO NOT repeat your thesis, but restate your thesis to make connections between ideas already presented. Conclude with a statement that encourages reader to read more about topic. For example…

The theme of redemption is woven throughout Hosseini’s The Kite Runner The theme of redemption is woven throughout Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Rahim Khan challenges Amir to achieve redemption by telling him, “There is a way to be good again” (168). Amir must reflect on his two betrayals of Hassan: when he turned his back on Hassan’s rape and then framed Hassan of stealing his watch and money. Twenty years later Amir reenters Kabul to return Hassan’s son to safety, thus redeeming himself of his past transgressions…… I would end this summing up the theme of redemption as a whole, not just with the Kite Runner, but in al of life.

Due Dates -Outline and thesis due NEXT CLASS -First draft for peer edit (TYPED, MLA FORMAT) due 4/26 (B) and 4/25 (A) -Final Draft (including rubric, outline, 1st draft, and peer edit sheet) due 4/29 (A) and 4/30 (B)