1. What is Literary Abstract? It’s an abstract (two paragraphs) It’s about literature You make an argument about the significance of one of the literary elements.

2. How is a literary analysis an argument? When writing a literary analysis, you will focus on specific attribute(s) of the text(s). When discussing these attributes, you will want to make sure that you are making a specific, arguable point (thesis) about these attributes. You will defend this point with reasons and evidence drawn from the text.

3. Important literary concepts The Basics –Setting –Narration/point of view –Characterization –Symbol –Metaphor –Humor –Irony/ambiguity –Exaggeration Other key concepts –Historical context –Social, political, economic contexts –Multiple voices

4. What do I do? First Paragraph: –Use an attention-getter –1 st paragraph summarizes the story, and explains the story’s theme. –Thesis: relate one literary element to the theme Ex: Though her use of exaggeration, Angelou proves that she idolizes her grandmother Annie.

5. Which is the best thesis statement? I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is about the problem of evil. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is boring and pointless. The use of humor in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings illustrates the lasting impact racial prejudice has on young children. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is about a girl with a toothache.

6. What do I do? 2 nd Paragraph: –PROVE IT! –Deal with one literary element –Explain how that element proves the theme –Provide examples from text –Explain how that example proves your argument (thesis)

7. How do I support a thesis statement? Examples from the text: –Direct quotations –Summaries of scenes –Paraphrase Always remember to read carefully and highlight useful passages and quotes!

8. Integrating Quotations

9. Quotation Integration Quotations from research can NOT simply be ‘plopped’ into your body paragraphs. –They must be seamlessly worked in. Avoid full-length sentences –Fragments are easier to integrate into your own words Mediocre example: For example, So-and-so says, “Quote” (Citation 56) Better example: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Citation 263).

10. Handling Quotes in Your Text Author’s last name and page number(s) of quote must appear in the text Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).

11. Quoting in MLA style 1.Use a quote to support every claim, idea, or supporting detail. 2.Show your reader, don’t tell. 3.Format all quotes in the following manner: “Quoted material” (Author #). Do not use “page” or “p.” 4.Immediately follow every quote with the page number. 5.Use parts of quotes and insert them into your sentences Example: Atticus encourages Scout to “step into someone else’s shoes” (Lee 112) and view the world in order to better understand that person.

12. Contextualizing a Quote 1.Explain the quote without referencing it directly. 2.Do not set up a quote in any of the following ways: 1.This quote shows … 2.The following example shows … 3.This is shown when … 3.Instead, set up a quote by contextualizing it: 1.Identify the speaker 2.Identify the context of the quote (when it happened and under what circumstances) Example: When Jim refuses to leave Tom without getting a doctor’s help, Huck realizes Jim is “white inside” (Twain 261), an epiphany for Huck, and he views Jim as a real person who is the same on the inside as himself.

13. So what? 1.Always answer the question “So what?” when writing about literature. 2.Take your explanation a step further and be sure to explain yourself fully and completely. 3.Avoid meaningless statements such as “This is an important novel” or “So-and-so is a great author.” So what? Who cares? Make a real point! 4.Follow every example or quote with an explanation of its meaning of importance. How does that relate to your thesis?

14. Misc. Tips Use ellipses (…) to indicate missing words from original quote Use brackets [ ] to indicate that you’ve changed something from original quote –Tense, capitalization, whole words, etc. –See handout for examples