Literary Analysis

Research for information Read/review various texts and/or articles pertaining to the topic. Begin to narrow your focus through patterns of information that appear in your research.

Thesis Statement A thesis statement is the sentence that identifies the topic of your writing. A thesis statement is the sentence that identifies the topic of your writing. The thesis should be scholarly-well written, focused, strong vocabulary choices, concise. The thesis should be scholarly-well written, focused, strong vocabulary choices, concise. It does not have to have 3 elements! It does not have to have 3 elements! Example: Odysseus, an archetypal hero, often follows a difficult journey that initiates him into the real world by forcing him into quests and tests, which challenge his strength and ethics, but eventually lead to his glory and fame as an epic warrior. Example: Odysseus, an archetypal hero, often follows a difficult journey that initiates him into the real world by forcing him into quests and tests, which challenge his strength and ethics, but eventually lead to his glory and fame as an epic warrior.

INTRODUCTION  Engage the reader by providing them with: interesting detail definition interesting detail definition quotefact or data quotefact or data  Doesn’t need to have a build up of the writer. For instance, “HG Wells is a famous writer who has written many wonderful science fiction short stories.”  Must mention how the story, novel, or poem relates to thesis.  THESIS must be clear to the reader. Provides direction.

EXAMPLE Definition/detail THESIS Transition

Organization Body paragraphs must begin with a strong topic sentence connected to thesis. Body paragraphs must begin with a strong topic sentence connected to thesis. Throughout the paragraph contextual evidence should be examined and tied to the thesis. Throughout the paragraph contextual evidence should be examined and tied to the thesis. Must end with a strong concluding sentence that ties entire paragraph with thesis. Must end with a strong concluding sentence that ties entire paragraph with thesis.

Supporting Evidence Literary analysis must always contain evidence from the text. Some evidence can be relayed in writer’s own words. Direct evidence (quotes) are always needed! Always use lead in to quote and follow with an explanation of how it supports the thesis.

Strong Body Paragraphs Each paragraph should have the following topic sentence tied directly to thesis topic sentence tied directly to thesis contextual support contextual support student commentary tied to thesis student commentary tied to thesis critical (expert) support or additional critical (expert) support or additional contextual support contextual support commentary/conclusion tied to thesis commentary/conclusion tied to thesis  Everything you write should reiterate the thesis!

From his first interactions with the watchman of the Danes and then King Hrothgar, Beowulf displays his desire for honor and glory. The mighty Geat warrior declares, “The monster’s scorn of men / Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. / Nor will I. My lord Higlac / might think less of me if I let my sword / Go where my feet were afraid to” ( ). Beowulf’s willingness to fight the heinous monster without the use of weapons proves he holds his honor and reputation higher than the eminent threat of death. According to literary critic Anniina Jokinen, “the epic hero lives in a ‘shame culture’, or an honor/shame society, where a man’s good name is his most prized possession”. Beowulf isn’t merely showing off, flexing his muscles and boasting; he is searching for the glory of beating an formidable opponent while maintaining his honor and reputation. Moreover, Beowulf’s oath to fight evil on an equal playing field depicts his unequalled valor and prowess. From his first interactions with the watchman of the Danes and then King Hrothgar, Beowulf displays his desire for honor and glory. The mighty Geat warrior declares, “The monster’s scorn of men / Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. / Nor will I. My lord Higlac / might think less of me if I let my sword / Go where my feet were afraid to” ( ). Beowulf’s willingness to fight the heinous monster without the use of weapons proves he holds his honor and reputation higher than the eminent threat of death. According to literary critic Anniina Jokinen, “the epic hero lives in a ‘shame culture’, or an honor/shame society, where a man’s good name is his most prized possession”. Beowulf isn’t merely showing off, flexing his muscles and boasting; he is searching for the glory of beating an formidable opponent while maintaining his honor and reputation. Moreover, Beowulf’s oath to fight evil on an equal playing field depicts his unequalled valor and prowess. Topic sentence Evidence Lead in Student commentary Conclusion-transition

Evidence All evidence must be in a complete sentence. No quote can stand ALONE! Evidence should be commented on by the analyst. Beowulf proudly boasts, “ I drove / Five great giants into chains, chased / All of that race from the earth”( ). Beowulf provides proof of his heroic feats to prove his ability to be able to defeat evil. Beowulf proudly boasts, “ I drove / Five great giants into chains, chased / All of that race from the earth”( ). Beowulf provides proof of his heroic feats to prove his ability to be able to defeat evil. According to literary critic Anniina Jokinen, Beowulf lives in a “honor/shame society, where a man’s good name is his most prized possession”, and one in which boasting is perfectly acceptable. According to literary critic Anniina Jokinen, Beowulf lives in a “honor/shame society, where a man’s good name is his most prized possession”, and one in which boasting is perfectly acceptable.

Lead in: Making the quotation a part of the complete thought/sentence Beowulf implies “ Beowulf demands,” Hrothgar pleads, “ Unferth argues, “ Beowulf states that “ King Hrothgar believes that “ Literary critic Harold Bloom writes, Mr. Bloom supports this idea that “