1. Writing an Analytical Essay

2. Writing an Analytical Essay about a Literary Work
Makes an argument:
You are arguing that your perspective—an interpretation, judgment, evaluation of the literature—is a valid one.
Proves a thesis:
You must have a specific, detailed thesis statement that reveals your perspective, and like any good argument, must be one which is debatable.
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3. The Format of an Analytical Essay
Introduction
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion

4. The Function of an Introduction
captures your audience's attention.
gives background on your topic.
develops interest in your topic.
guides your reader to your thesis statement.
(Taken from

5. Developing a Thesis Statement…
A thesis statement must be:
An opinion—not a fact
Significant—worth spending the time developing into an essay
Provable—able to be supported with quotes from the text
Focused on one idea—must be a single idea

6. …Developing a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement must be:
Valid/logical—be sure you have interpreted the piece of literature correctly
Clear—your readers should have no doubt what you are proving
Specific—focus on a particular aspect of your topic
A declarative sentence written in the active voice
Usually the last sentence of the introduction.

7. Writing a Thesis Statement
Sample thesis statements:
1) Shakespeare uses character foils to emphasize important qualities in his hero.
2) Fairy tales send young girls the wrong message because in these stories the woman always needs rescuing by the man.
3) The characters of The Great Gatsby distort the American Dream through the means they use to obtain it. Myrtle Wilson, Jay Gatsby, and the Buchanans corrupt the American Dream through the extreme and immoral measures they employ to achieve their goals.

8. Writing a Thesis Statement
What’s wrong with these thesis statements?
1) To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, Alabama.
2) Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a play about a young man who seeks revenge.
Scout changes from a child to a young girl and Jem begins to grow up, too.
4) Harry Potter has the qualities to conquer his enemies and he does and then he goes on to find something else to do.

9. Deciding How to Prove the Thesis Statement
The thesis statement may include your proofs. OR
The thesis statement may be followed by a sentence which contains your proofs.

10. Deciding How to Prove the Thesis Statement
Thesis statement + proofs in the final sentence of introduction:
Shakespeare uses character foils to emphasize important qualities in his hero. To provide a clear picture of the hero, Romeo, Shakespeare effectively uses three different foils, Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, and Tybalt.
Thesis statement + proofs in the same sentence:
Although John Smith’s and William Bradford’s firsthand accounts of early colonization are similar, they differ significantly in purpose, content, and tone.

11. The Format of the Introduction
The introduction begins with a broad statement about the main idea. This statement might suggest background or the general category to which the thesis idea belongs.
The next sentences are more specific, moving closer to the actual thesis of the essay.
The final sentence of an introduction often contains a fairly specific version of the main idea; it is the thesis statement.
(Adapted from

12. The introductory paragraph must include:
A general statement brief summary of the story
The title and author of the story
A brief summary of the story
A clear thesis statement

13. The Introduction
(Adapted from

14. Writing the Introduction
Sentence 1: The general statement
Is a general topic sentence
Introduces the topic of the essay
Captures the reader’s attention through a quote, observation, definition, or anecdote
Sentences 2-4: The summary sentences
Includes the title and author
Brief summary and relevant background information of novel or short story
Sentences 5(-6)
Contains the thesis statement and proofs

15. Sample Introduction
Is hunting really a civilized pastime? This is the question that the author Richard Connell asks as he keeps his readers on the edge of their seats in his famous short story “The Most Dangerous Game.” Connell creates a situation in which a famous hunter becomes another’s man’s prey. When the hunter, Rainsford finds himself marooned on Ship-Trap-Island, he discovers that, as a hobby, the owner of the island hunts men instead of animals. Rainsford must outsmart his opponent in order to stay alive, and so he experiences all the fears that an animal feels when it is hunted. By putting a hunter in the role of prey, Richard Connell demonstrates his belief that hunting is a cruel sport. To illustrate this theme, Connell uses irony and suspense.

16. Writing the Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph:
Contains a clear topic sentence which identifies the connection between your examples/explanation and your thesis .
Demonstrates that the topic sentence is true by giving evidence.
Includes quotes from the short story or novel to show that you didn’t make up the evidence.
Reminds the reader of the connection between your evidence and the thesis.

17. Sample Outline of a Four-Paragraph Essay
I. Introduction
A. Opening sentence(s):
B. Brief summary:
C. Thesis statement:
D. Proofs:
Body Paragraph #1
A. Topic sentence:
B. Supporting details: 1. 2. 3. 4.
III. Commentary

18. Sample Outline for a Four-Paragraph Essay
III. Body Paragraph #2
A. Topic sentence:
B. Supporting details 1. 2. 3. 4.
IV. Conclusion
B. Restatement or summary of thesis
C. Evaluation of topic
D. Closing statement

19. Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages?
I. Introduction
A. Topic sentence: Fairy tales are some of the oldest
and time-honored pieces of literature in the world.
B. Brief summary:
1. Found in almost every culture.
2. Read by or to young children.
3. Simple stories—easy to remember
4. Children impressed by moral or lesson.
C. Thesis statement: Fairy tales send young girls the
wrong message because in these stories the woman
always needs rescuing by the man.
D. Proofs: Popular fairy tales that demonstrate this
theme are Cinderella and Snow White

20. Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages?
Body Paragraph #1
A. Topic sentence: Poor Cinderella is a helpless victim of her cruel stepmother
and stepsisters until the prince arrives to
take her away.
B. Supporting details: 1. 2. 3. 4.

21. Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages?
Body Paragraph #2
A. Topic sentence: Snow White, hated for
her beauty by her own mother, is poisoned
and made comatose until a handsome prince
falls in love with her and breaks the spell.
B. Supporting details: 1. 2. 3. 4.

22. Fairy Tales: Enduring Lessons or Wrong Messages?
IV. Conclusion
A. Topic sentence:
B. Restatement or summary of thesis
C. Evaluation of topic
D. Closing statement

23. Resources Maplewood Writing Center
Concepts of Critical Analysis
Writing a Thesis Statement
Writing Effective Introductions
Writing Effective Conclusions
Evaluating a Paragraph