How to do a Literary Analysis 1

1. Read the text closely. No more FAKE READING! Focus on the ideas that are being presented. Think about the characters’ development and the author’s writing technique. What might be considered interesting, unusual, or important? 2

2. Brainstorm a list of potential topics. *Highlight important passages in the text and take notes on these passages. *The topic chosen should always be based on a writer’s interpretation of the author’s message.. You need literary devices. 3

Devices to think about… Quick List Allegory Alliteration Allusion Anagram Analogy Anastrophe Anthropomorphism Antithesis Aphorism Archetype Characterization Conflict Connotation Hubris Hyperbole Imagery Irony Juxtaposition Metaphor Metonymy Mood Motif Negative Capability Nemesis Paradox Periphrasis Personification Plot Point of View 4 Satire Setting Simile Suspense Symbolism Syntax Theme Tone Tragedy Understatement Diction Doppelganger Epilogue Euphemism Euphony Flashback Foil Foreshadowing

#3 Think about what the author is trying to say When viewing this work as a piece of art, what might a writer’s response be? What might a writer’s reactions be to the ideas presented in the work? Are these ideas truthful or relevant to today and how? If a writer were asked what they thought of this work how might they respond? What points might a writer make? 5

#4 Select a theme that has sufficient supporting evidence A writer should make sure to include specific details to support the topic. Use highlighted sections of the book as evidence to support the topic that has been chosen. You have to give credit to your source, which means you have to put the page number where examples are found The good thing about lit analysis is that everyone will be different. No more cookie cutter style writing like the ACT. 6

Possible Themes Death Faith Hatred Survival Perseverance Loss of innocence Family Identity Religion Lies/Deceit Freedom Silence Father and Son bonds Cultural Identity Morality Memories Evil 7

#5 Create a Working Thesis The analysis will need a strong thesis that states a writer’s perspective but also allows it to be debated. The thesis should state a writer’s opinion, but it should also allow readers to arrive at their own conclusions. Look at your directions for the working thesis example I have you for this paper. You can use it if you like. 8

Other Important Steps Find your evidence to support your paper Refine your thesis when needed Get organized-5 paragraph essays are NOT allowed! Interpret the evidence-express your own personal interpretation of the work but don’t write a summary. Rough drafts-That’s right, more than one. You should outline, free-write, bubble map, write certain paragraphs. Revise! Revise! Revise! Take control of your own proofreading. It’s your job now to check every mistake. 9

Lit Analysis To start class today, read over the literary analysis for The Great Gatsby Take notes on how this style paper is different from ACT writing Also take notes on how it follows the rules of writing an effective lit analysis Feel free to write on the sample Discuss your findings with a classmate near you Let’s discuss as a class 10

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Do… Make a wonderful title Check for errors Be creative Use examples from the entire book Write multiple paragraphs Use direct quotes and paraphrase in the paper Don’t… Make it sound like a book report Cite by doing (p. 56). The correct way is (50) since there is just one source for this paper Have an intro that doesn’t completely match the rest of the paper Use contractions: can’t, don’t, won’t, etc… 11