American Lit Literary analysis Revisited

CONTROLLING PURPOSE Revisited The controlling purpose is similar to a thesis statement.The controlling purpose is similar to a thesis statement. It serves as somewhat of a blueprint for the entire paper by telling the reader what position the writer is taking; or what will be discussed in the paper; or what will be revealed; what will be argued, etc.It serves as somewhat of a blueprint for the entire paper by telling the reader what position the writer is taking; or what will be discussed in the paper; or what will be revealed; what will be argued, etc. A well-written essay has a clearly defined controlling purpose, with evidence to support it.A well-written essay has a clearly defined controlling purpose, with evidence to support it. An effective conclusion reasserts the controlling purpose, but it also leaves the reader with a unique thought to take away from the paper.An effective conclusion reasserts the controlling purpose, but it also leaves the reader with a unique thought to take away from the paper.

CONTROLLING PURPOSE Be sure to give your controlling purpose context: Let the reader know right away who or what you are writing about.Be sure to give your controlling purpose context: Let the reader know right away who or what you are writing about. It’s almost always more effective in your introduction to use a statement as an attention- getter, rather than a question.It’s almost always more effective in your introduction to use a statement as an attention- getter, rather than a question.

Literary analysis The basics: Identify the author with his/her work (usually in the introduction): Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind; “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner.Identify the author with his/her work (usually in the introduction): Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind; “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner. Use author’s first and last name on first reference; only the last name after that, although it’s OK to use both again in the conclusion.Use author’s first and last name on first reference; only the last name after that, although it’s OK to use both again in the conclusion. Set off book titles and films by italicizing; short stories, place in quotation marks.Set off book titles and films by italicizing; short stories, place in quotation marks. Cite your sources. If the words aren’t yours, you need to tell the reader where they come from and/or who you’re quoting or paraphrasing. Otherwise, you’re plagiarizing.Cite your sources. If the words aren’t yours, you need to tell the reader where they come from and/or who you’re quoting or paraphrasing. Otherwise, you’re plagiarizing.

Literary analysis: tense and person Stay in third person: no “I,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “my,” “mine” (first person); also avoid second-person “you” if possible. This usually can be done through simple re-phrasing:Stay in third person: no “I,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “my,” “mine” (first person); also avoid second-person “you” if possible. This usually can be done through simple re-phrasing: –Instead of, You can imagine Scarlett’s anger, write, “Scarlett’s anger is evident.”

THIRD PERSON It’s not easy to simply state that we are victims of circumstance or that we have control over everything in our lives.It’s not easy to simply state that we are victims of circumstance or that we have control over everything in our lives. It’s not easy to simply state that humans are victims of circumstance or have control over everything in their lives.It’s not easy to simply state that humans are victims of circumstance or have control over everything in their lives. We can find characters with these qualities in Gone With The Wind.We can find characters with these qualities in Gone With The Wind. Characters with these qualities are found in Gone With The Wind.Characters with these qualities are found in Gone With The Wind.

TENSE Because literature is timeless, it is written about in present tense. For example, Emily Grierson is a fallen monument. Scarlett uses men for her personal gain.Because literature is timeless, it is written about in present tense. For example, Emily Grierson is a fallen monument. Scarlett uses men for her personal gain. Past tense: Ashley Wilkes was stuck in the past. (Past tense: “was” should read “is”)Past tense: Ashley Wilkes was stuck in the past. (Past tense: “was” should read “is”) Past tense: Emily refused to let another man dictate her life. (Past tense “refused” should read “refuses”)Past tense: Emily refused to let another man dictate her life. (Past tense “refused” should read “refuses”)

Miscellaneous Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “A Rose For Emily,” by William Faulkner.Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “A Rose For Emily,” by William Faulkner. Colons and semi-colons go outside of quotations marks.Colons and semi-colons go outside of quotations marks. When referring to the region of the country, capitalize “South.”When referring to the region of the country, capitalize “South.”