Specific Elements Needed for Any Literary Analysis Writing (including Book Critiques)

Topic sentence must state analytical focus of paragraph Something that helps establish your thesis IT IS NOT A SUMMARY OF PLOT!!!!

Examples of how to frame analytical TS Initial character portrayal In the beginning of the book, Alice strikes the reader as a typical adolescent whose insecurities are common among all youth. Ricky Starks, the main protagonist of the book, starts off as a very routine guy; he goes the same places and does the same things day after day.

Examples of how to frame analytical TS Key type of shift in character Example: Holden develops from a grieving teenager resisting growing up, to a resigned young adult learning to accept the inevitable change into adulthood.

Examples of how to frame analytical TS Theme of the book                                                            Example: The theme of The Fountainhead is to never give up on dreams or to give up on your beliefs.

Examples of how to frame analytical TS Thematic purpose of using the literary element X Example: In order to illustrate how Emma learns to be careful about what she says, Austin uses a lot of dialogue.

Transition into each new quote and concept with the following context: When it happens in the novel How it connects to earlier point

Transition into each new quote and concept with context When it happens in the novel How it connects to earlier point Example: The biggest shift in Holden occurs when he watches his sister Phoebe riding on the carrousel at the end of the novel and states, “The thing with kids is you have to let them grab for the ring” (Salinger 230). Emphasis is mine, not in the text.

Theme is universal statement Doesn’t mention character’s names or events Not just a topic like racism or change or revenge Rather, it states an opinion the author is making about the topic

Theme is universal statement Example: Miller’s purpose in writing this play is to illustrate how the paranoia created by McCarthyism corrupts a society and makes it self-destructive and irrational.

Stay in present tense As if the action is happening right before your eyes Example: Proctor and Elizabeth learn NOT: Proctor and Elizabeth learned

Refer to author by last name throughout the paper, not just first name (assuming you’ve already given first and last names in introduction) Not your personal friend Example: Miller’s purpose….

Develop more analysis of the details than the number of details 2 times as much analysis as detail (2:1 ratio of commentary: evidence) So, if 3 details required per paragraph, then you have at least 6 sentences of analysis/explanation

Develop more analysis of the details than the number of details Always END paragraph with analysis that connects to theme or part of thesis Do NOT end paragraph with quotes, except for conclusion!!!