I need to write a WHAT? Help! A Guide to Writing a Literary Analysis

Definition of Analysis: “A method by which a thing is separated into parts, and those parts are given rigorous, logical, detailed scrutiny, resulting in a consistent and relatively complete account of the elements of the thing and the principles of their organization.” (from A Handbook to Literature, 5th edition. By C. Hugh Holman & William Harmon. New York, Macmillan Publishing Co, 1986, p. 20)

So, what does it look like? Click on the link below to see one sample… One Sample of a Literary Analysis Essay

And now, Marigolds… Through conflict and symbolism, the transition from childhood to adulthood is revealed as a loss of innocence and gain of compassion.

So, now what? Thesis statement model: Through LIT. ELEMENT 1 and LIT ELEMENT 2, the author reveals THEME.

Introductory Paragraph… ____________ by ___________,is a funny/sad story. Brief summary Thesis statement.

Let’s Look at the sample, again. Find the topic sentence of body paragraph A. Highlight the concrete details of paragraph A. (What’s a concrete detail?....) Repeat for paragraph B

What do I write next? Body Paragraph A Look at your thesis statement. What is your first literary element? You need at least two concrete details to support this literary element. You need to tie it in to the theme

Another Sample Paragraph… The image of running that McBride uses here and elsewhere supports his understanding of his mother as someone who does not stop and consider what is happening in her life yet is able to move ahead. Movement provides the solution, although a temporary one, and preserves her sanity. Discrete moments of action preserve her sense of her own strength and offer her new alternatives for the future. Even McBride's sentence structure in the paragraph about his mother's running supports the effectiveness of her spurts of action without reflection. Although varying in length, each of the last seven sentences of the paragraph begins with the subject "She" and an active verb such as "rode," "walked," "took," "grasp" and "ran." The section is choppy, repetitive and yet clear, as if to reinforce Ruth's unconscious insistence on movement as a means of coping with the difficulties of her life.

And then… Body Paragraph Two Repeat process from first body paragraph w/ literary element 2 Provide two or three concrete details & tie into theme.

A Key Point to Remember… In your discussion of passages, spell out each step in your thinking process that caused your interpretation. Many students make a common mistake of jumping too quickly to conclusions without demonstrating what caused them to make such conclusions. The reader cannot and will not guess what you are thinking or assume you meant to say something unless you spell it all out. What might seem evident and obvious to you might not seem obvious to your reader. Don’t neglect to write down exactly why specific words and phrases from the text led you to think about it as you do. Make all the connections in your own thinking clear. Be clear and complete. This might involve some self-reflection.

Hooray! If you have completed each step, at this point you have completed 75% of your rough draft! So, look over what you have written, ask a neighbor to pair-share with you. –Check for thesis statement –Topic Sentences –Concrete Details

Wrapping it up… Look at another sample essay: Sample Essay Keep in mind that this essay follows a different pattern than you have followed; however, this student analyzes the story without too much plot summary. Check your essay for ANALYSIS vs. plot summary!

Conclusion… Remember your conclusion should bring your paper to a close. It should not be just one more paragraph tacked on to the end. You should include your thesis statement in different words, or summarize your main points. You should also do one of the following: –Connect back to your opening; may use a quote –Evaluate how successful the author is in presenting the theme –Connect your essay topic to the universal message of the story

Sample Conclusion Irony begins and ends the short story “The Necklace”. The use of irony reveals repeatedly the perilous danger of envy and greed. Even more, the situational use of irony leads the reader to self reflection and acknowledgement of similarities with the character, similarities which are as dangerous in real life as they were in the short story.

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