1. The Literary/Rhetorical Analysis Paragraph
Beefing up literary analysis

5. Objectives
1. We will refine our definitions the components of a quality literary analysis paragraph (topic, context, quote, explanation, analysis)
2. We will revise our literary analysis paragraphs to include at LEAST TWO quotes and TWO explanations to provide in-depth evidence within our analysis.

6. Write the following on your paper:
Topic sentence:
Context:
Quote:
Explanation w/citation:
Analysis:

7. A good paragraph is a like a good hamburger…
Topic
sentence
Topic
sentence
Topic
sentence
Evidence/Support
Evidence/Support
Evidence/Support
Evidence/Support
Evidence/Support
Evidence/Support
Concluding Sentence
Concluding Sentence
Concluding Sentence
okay
good
best

8. From Burger to Analysis Paragraph
Topic sentence
From Burger to Analysis Paragraph
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

9. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Topic Sentence
Gives the main idea of the paragraph
In literary/rhetorical analysis, includes the element or device (i.e. character, imagery, etc.)
In a complete essay, ties back to the thesis statement.
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

10. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Context
Sets up background for your quotation: who? to whom? when? where? what is happening?
Tells reader what they need to know to understand the quotation.
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

11. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Quotation
The actual words from the text
Make it as brief as you can by cutting out the fluff!
Limit yourself to a few words or short phrases, if possible
Incorporate/blend into your own sentence
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

12. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Citation
Cite according to MLA format: “quote quote” (4). novel: page (#) poem: line (#) essay: paragraph (para. #)
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

13. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Explanation
Interpret what the quotation means or what the author is saying
Try using “Here” to start your sentence:
“Here the author indicates/shows/ demonstrates…”
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

14. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Analysis
Connect the quotation to the literary/ rhetorical device from your topic sentence (and your thesis statement)
What is the writer’s effect/purpose?
Use words like “because,” “evidently,” “this proves,” and “this shows”
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

15. Context-Quotation-Citation Context-Quotation-Citation
Topic sentence
Concluding Sentence
Refers back to the topic sentence (and/or thesis statement)
Include the name of the rhetorical device or literary element
Wrap it up!
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

16. Analysis Paragraph TOTALS
Topic sentence
Analysis Paragraph TOTALS
ONE literary/rhetorical device TWO pieces of evidence from the text EIGHT sentences minimum
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Context-Quotation-Citation
Explanation
Analysis
Concluding sentence

17. It’s time to practice
First, we will read Ms. Pelotte’s essay and make improvements by adding quotes (evidence) and explanations.
Second, you will improve your own writing by adding quotes (evidence) and explanations.
*Each body paragraph must contain AT LEAST TWO quotes and explanations

18. SOAPS Paragraph
In the 1966 essay, “Paradox and Dream,” John Steinbeck highlights the contradictions inherent in the American Dream through the use of syntax. Early in his essay, Steinbeck characterizes this “strong and imperishable dream” as paradoxical (para. 4). Here the words “strong” and “imperishable” imply lasting, while dreams, themselves, are ephemeral. This contradiction in words emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the American Dream. Steinbeck’s use of conjunctions—”and”, “but”, “yet”—throughout the piece also signal contradictions to the reader. Steinbeck uses these words to make his sentences feel connected and opposing such as when Steinbeck writes, “we fight our way in, but try to buy our way out” (para. 2). This mirrors the inherent discord found in how Americans strive to obtain the Dream. Steinbeck’s style, heavy in conjunctions and contradictory word choice helps signal to the reader that it is the quest for the dream, itself, the “vague yearnings” that truly embody what it means to pursue an elusive dream.

19. SOAPS Paragraph
In the classic feminist essay, “I Want a Wife,” Judy Brady highlights the unfair expectations that our society places on wives and mothers. Published in Ms. magazine in 1972, Brady, who is herself a wife and mother, lists “reasons” why she would want a wife of her own in order to make apparent to her educated male and female audience the outrageous double standards that women are held to in modern society.

20. Judy Brady uses a sardonic tone in her essay to achieve her purpose
Judy Brady uses a sardonic tone in her essay to achieve her purpose. Although Brady’s half-joking list of duties for her imagined wife seems relatively benign at first (if a bit selfish), a clear shift in tone occurs at the beginning of the fifth paragraph. Brady proclaims, “I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a wife’s duties” (par. 5). Here Brady demonstrates a clear and almost painful sense of irony, as she herself is both “complaining” about a wife’s many duties and pretending to forbid it. The bitter sarcasm of this detail demonstrates Brady’s awareness of the unfairness of this “husband’s” requests. Later in the essay, Brady’s imagined husband’s demands turn to the bedroom, as she states, “I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me … And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy” (par. 7). Brady lists two incongruous demands next to each other: the perfect wife must remain faithful to the husband, but she also must be willing to overlook when the husband is unfaithful to her. Brady’s juxtaposition of these two sentences emphasizes how unfair and ridiculous these double standards are. Brady’s use of a sardonic tone in her essay gives emotional weight to her argument; we feel her bitterness and anger about the injustice of her situation and the plight of wives everywhere.
Topic
Sentence
C-Q-C E A
C-Q-C E A
Concluding
Sentence

21. In the 1966 essay, “Paradox and Dream,” John Steinbeck highlights the contradictions inherent in the American Dream through the use of syntax. Early in his esay, Steinbeck characterizes this “strong and imperishable dream” as paradoxical (para. 4). Here the words “strong” and “imperishable” imply lasting while dreams, themselves, are ephemeral. This contradiction in words emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the American Dream. Steinbeck’s use of conjunctions—”and”, “but”, “yet”—throughout the piece also signal contradictions to the reader. Steinbeck uses these words to make his sentences feel connected and opposiing such as when Steinbeck writes, “we fight our way in, but try to buy our way out” (para. 2). This mirrors the inherent discord found in how Americans strive to obtain the Dream. Steinbeck’s style, heavy in conjunctions and contradictory word choice help signal that it is the quest for the dream, itself, the “vague yearnings” that truly embody what it means to pursue an elusive dream. .
Topic
Sentence
C-Q-C E A
C-Q-C E A
Concluding
Sentence

22. In the 1966 essay, “Paradox and Dream,” John Steinbeck highlights the contradictions inherent in the American Dream through the use of syntax. Early in his esay, Steinbeck characterizes this “strong and imperishable dream” as paradoxical (para. 4). Here, the words “strong” and “imperishable” imply lasting while dreams, themselves, are ephemeral. This contradiction in words emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the American Dream. Steinbeck’s use of conjunctions—”and”, “but”, “yet”—throughout the piece also signal contradictions to the reader. Here, Steinbeck uses these words to make his sentences feel connected and opposiing such as when Steinbeck writes, “we fight our way in, but try to buy our way out” (para. 2). This mirrors the inherent discord found in how Americans strive to obtain the Dream. Steinbeck’s style, heavy in conjunctions and contradictory word choice help signal that it is the quest for the dream, itself, the “vague yearnings” that truly embody what it means to pursue an elusive dream.
Topic
Sentence
C-Q-C E A
C-Q-C E A
Concluding
Sentence

23. Judy Brady uses a sardonic tone in her essay to achieve her purpose
Judy Brady uses a sardonic tone in her essay to achieve her purpose. Although Brady’s half-joking list of duties for her imagined wife seems relatively benign at first (if a bit selfish), a clear shift in tone occurs at the beginning of the fifth paragraph. Brady proclaims, “I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a wife’s duties” (par. 5). Here Brady demonstrates a clear and almost painful sense of irony, as she herself is both “complaining” about a wife’s many duties and pretending to forbid it. The bitter sarcasm of this detail demonstrates Brady’s awareness of the unfairness of this “husband’s” requests. Later in the essay, Brady’s imagined husband’s demands turn to the bedroom, as she states, “I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me … And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy” (par. 7). Brady lists two incongruous demands next to each other: the perfect wife must remain faithful to the husband, but she also must be willing to overlook when the husband is unfaithful to her. Brady’s juxtaposition of these two sentences emphasizes how unfair and ridiculous these double standards are. Brady’s use of a sardonic tone in her essay gives emotional weight to her argument; we feel her bitterness and anger about the injustice of her situation and the plight of wives everywhere.
Topic
Sentence
C-Q-C E A
C-Q-C E A
Concluding
Sentence

24. Timed Writing Re-write
Topic: In “The Great Gatsby” F. Scott Fitzgerald makes the reader relate to the character of nick by/through________________________________.
C-Q-C: In the passage Fitzgerald writes “__________________________” (1).
E: Here, Fitzgerald shows/implies__________________________________.
A: This shows/proves__________________________________________.
C-Q-C: In addition, Fitzergerald writes “____________________________”
E: Here Fitzgerald implies, __________________________________________.
A: This reveals_____________________________________________
C: As a result___________________________________________________.