Literary Analysis A How-to Guide

Introduction O Opens with a hook O Catch the reader’s attention O Universal idea (like the motif chart items…) O A description of the novel in connection to your idea, NOT A SUMMARY O MUST INCLUDE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR OF THE WORK O Titles are in italics with proper capitalization O Till We Have Faces or The Stranger O Information should logically lead to the thesis

Thesis O There are two goals of a literary analysis thesis: 1. Relate the theme of the work 2. Indicate how the author creates the theme O Thesis should be the LAST sentence of the INTRODUCTION O There is NO PERSONAL OPINION in the thesis O I, me, my WILL NOT be part of this essay

Examples 1. Through Paul’s experience behind the lines at a Russian prisoner of war camp, and especially under bombardment in the trenches, Erich Maria Remarque realistically shows how war dehumanizes a man. 2. The boys’ evolving relationship with the conch illustrates Golding’s theme that humans, when removed from the pressures of civilized authority, will become evil.

Examples 3. The fate of the main characters in Antigone illustrates the danger of excessive pride. 4. The imagery in Dylan Thomas's poem “Fern Hill” reveals the ambiguity of humans’ relationship with nature.

Body Paragraphs 1. Has a TOPIC SENTENCE O Identifies focus of the paragraph and how that relates back to the thesis 2. Uses TEXTUAL EVIDENCE to support thesis O This is a specific example, either paraphrased or directly taken from the text O Cited with PROPER MLA (Author’s Last Name Pg. #)

Body Paragraph Cont. O Evidence needs: O Introduction: Set up or context for the quote O Analysis: Explanation or interpretation of how this evidence proves the thesis O Rule of Thumb: For every sentence of evidence, two is needed for analysis O Transitions between evidence O Connect evidence/ideas within the paragraph O Conclusion Sentence: O Wraps up the paragraph by showing how it all links together

Conclusion O Returns to your main points O Does NOT summarize each point but generally references them. O Returns to your thesis statement O Shows how all the points are linked together. O Provides analysis how the theme was ultimately achieved O The overall significance of the theme and/or novel as a whole

Lasting Thoughts O Write in the PRESENT TENSE O NO personal pronouns or opinions O You are NOT part of this essay O DO NOT SUMMARIZE the novel O You are providing minimal context for the novel when you provide evidence O You are an interpreter or explainer of the work in relation to your specific thesis O Title should be creative representation of your approach