Do Now: 3 minute journal What is the difference between a book report essay and a literary analysis essay? “I don’t know” isn’t an answer. Explore what you know about each.

Be a Critic In other words, how to write the critical analysis essay

What is it? A critical analysis paper asks the writer to make an argument about a particular book, essay, play, etc. The goal is two fold: ◦1. Identify and explain the argument that the author is making ◦2. Provide your own argument about that argument.

Important! Avoid/minimize summary – You are not writing a book report, but evaluating the author’s argument.

Journal: 5 minutes Answer the following question with one of the three criticisms in mind (Historicism, Feminism, Postcolonialism): What argument is Rudolfo Anaya trying to make with La Llorona?

Critical Analysis Three ways to approach this essay. Anaya is making three arguments. Choose one to evaluate throughout your paper. 1. Evaluate La Llorona as a historical text, which cannot be read without the historical knowledge of the Spanish Conquest of Mexico 2. Evaluate La Llorona as a call to feminism, with Malinche as its prime symbol. 3. Evaluate La Llorona as a postcolonial text, where you must carefully consider the issues of power, religion, and culture of the two clashing nations.

EXAMPLE THESIS: Where is the claim? Where are the reasons? Rudolfo Anaya’s La Llorona is an anti-feminist novel because Malinche lost all her power, she let another woman destroy her relationship, and she killed her sons because she couldn’t deal with the changing times.

Claim

Claim Reason # 1 Rudolfo Anaya’s La Llorona is an anti-feminist novel because Malinche lost all her power, she let another woman destroy her relationship, and she killed her sons because she couldn’t deal with the changing times.

Claim Reason # 1 Reason # 2 Rudolfo Anaya’s La Llorona is an anti-feminist novel because Malinche lost all her power, she let another woman destroy her relationship, and she killed her sons because she couldn’t deal with the changing times.

Claim Reason # 1 Reason # 2 Reason # 3 Rudolfo Anaya’s La Llorona is an anti-feminist novel because Malinche lost all her power, she let another woman destroy her relationship, and she killed her sons because she couldn’t deal with the changing times.

Front: Back: Thesis:___________________ _______________+because… Reason 1:_________________ _________________________ Reason 2:_________________ _________________________ Reason 3:_________________ _________________________ Your thesis and reasons should be combined and written out into one cohesive sentence. When you’re finished, see a teacher to get approved. Your thesis must be approved to move on.

Your essay Essay Outline: Intro ◦What is the work being criticized? ◦Background knowledge of the book ◦Thesis + three reasons Body – Your argument ◦Reason 1 supporting the argument (a MEAL paragraph) ◦Reason 2 supporting the argument (another MEAL paragraph) ◦Reason 3 supporting the argument (you guessed it…MEAL paragraph!) ◦Extra reasons (if you’re a superstar ) Conclusion ◦Reflect on how you’ve proven your argument ◦Point out the importance of your argument