1. Essay Structure – 5 paragraphs
Introduction (3 sentences) including a thesis (your argument)
Three body paragraphs, each set up with a:
Topic sentence
Detail / evidence (quote) / explanation
Conclusion paragraph (restates argument. Comes to final idea or provides a further insight

2. Introduction
A literary analysis is a paper that gives a deep and illuminating explanation of a literary work--it is a Critical Interpretation.
We will learn how to formulate a deep thesis, organize a paper coherently, and use a number of different critical methods

3. Creating a Thesis
The thesis should state the ARGUMENT of your essay. It is the beating heart of your essay.
It should be clear and understandable
It should be deep, something that not everyone would think of
IT IS THE LAST SENTENCE OF YOUR INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
It should be new and original

4. Creating a Thesis
Modify (change) your working thesis as you continue to interact with your research and the text
Make sure your whole essay connects to your thesis

5. Creating a Thesis
Don’t be afraid to modify your thesis even after you’ve begun writing the body of your paper—it’s better to change it than to have a bad one
Spend the body of your paper arguing that your thesis provides an interpretation which is clearly supported by the text.
Do not deviate from discussion related to your thesis

6. How do I support a thesis statement?
Examples from the text
Direct quotations
Summaries of scenes/action
Paraphrases
Other critics’ opinions
Historical and social context

7. Good examples of a thesis
Through the characters of Melinda, Ivy and Heather, Anderson’s Speak depicts the difficulties of the high school experience.
S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders relies upon the use of colour symbolism to illustrate innocence, danger and hope in the lives of adolescents.

8. Tips for Writing the Body
TOPIC SENTENCES are first sentence in each body paragraph
Begin by finding common threads among the items supporting your thesis—oftentimes, writing an outline helps this process along
Begin writing with the body, making sure that each paragraph centers on one specific idea
Make sure that the topic sentence of each paragraph demonstrates a link between the content of the paragraph and your thesis statement

9. Go hit a home run! Conclusion 3-4 sentences
Repeat your thesis, but in different words.
End with a big idea or statement about your topic.
Go hit a home run!