How to Write a Literary Analysis

What is a Literary Analysis? Analysis – is the practice of looking closely at small parts and see how they affect the whole. Literary Analysis – focuses on how the plot/structure, character, setting, and many other techniques are used by the author to create meaning.

In other words… Literary analysis is NOT a summary!!! Literary analysis is finding a deeper meaning and making connections to the text. Literary analysis is thinking outside the box

How to Analyze a Text Style (Alliteration, Assonance, Epiphora, Anaphora, etc.) Meaning (Symbol, Metaphor, Allusion, Oxymoron, etc.) Answer the question: Why is it significant? What does that tell us about the author? What does that tell us about society during that time?

Basic Outline I. Introduction I. Thesis II. Main Point 1 I. Topic Sentence II. Evidence III. Your analysis III. Main Point 2 I. Topic Sentence II. Evidence III. Your analysis I. Main Point 3 I. Topic Sentence II. Evidence III. Your analysis II. Conclusion

Reminders about Quoting You should not dump a quote in your paragraph and not explain it. Explain what it means and how it relates to your main point