Literary Analysis Writing Today Johnson-Sheehan, Paine Chapter 8 English 1301 G. Zermeño

What is a Literary Analysis? Usually examines fictional or poetic texts, often using them as ways to understand humanity and culture (131). Poses an interpretive question about a literary text then uses that question to explain the text, author, or historical context. Your purpose is to provide your readers with new and interesting insights into a work. It is a close examination.

Across Disciplines History Sociology Studying the progressive era in America. Literary Text: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Sociology of poverty. Literary Text: A short story by Edwidge Danticat.

A Literary Analysis Explains the meaning of a text. Analyzes its structure and features Examines through historical, cultural, social, biographical, and other contexts. It helps readers understand what makes a literary work thought-provoking, revealing, or enjoyable. Contributes to the larger scholarly conversation about the meaning and purpose of literature.

Remember you are not correcting or criticizing interpretations of a text, rather, you are leading your audience toward fresh insights and new angles.

Basic Organization Introduction Conclusion Introduction Conclusion Targeted summary or description of the text. Analysis: First Point Analysis: Second Point Analysis: Third Point Conclusion Introduction Summary and analysis of first part of text. Summary and analysis of second part of text. Summary and analysis of third part of text. Conclusion

Introduction Identify the literary work you are analyzing. Provide its background Introduce an interpretive question that will drive the analysis provide an angle you will follow as you interpret the story for your readers.

Targeted summaries or descriptions of the text Summarize or describe only on elements that play a key role in your interpretation Events Features These are usually breif

Quoted Material Use textual evidence to develop your interpretation and illustrate your point.

Support your interpretation Support should be used as solid reasoning for your interpretation. Offer insight into the interpretive question. Can use outside sources to further support

Conclusion Should be designed to help readers understand the big picture. Describe the significance of the interpretation.

One Student’s Work Read story on page 123

Inventing Your Literary Analysis’s Content Find an interesting interpretive question about the work you are studying. Read and research the text. Look for signs and evidence that might offer insights that go beyond the obvious.

Read, Reread, Explore Short story or novel- read at least twice Poetry – read many, many times (silently and aloud) Annotate the text highlighting anything that intrigues you or puzzles you. Take note of the language and how the work makes you feel.

What’s Interesting? Develop interesting questions focusing on the genre, plot, characters, or use of language. This will lead you to your angle.

Explore the Genre Fiction Poetry Drama Literary nonfiction Short stories, novellas, novels, detective novels, science fiction, romance, mysteries, horror, fantasy, historical fiction. Limericks, sonnets, ballads, epic poems, haikus, ballads, villanelle, odes, sestinas, open verse. Plays, closet dramas, comedies, tragedies, romances, musicals, operas. Memoirs, profiles, biographies, histories, essays, nature writing, religion, politics.

Questions to ponder… Why did the author choose this genre of literature and not another one? Why a poem as opposed to a story, or a short story rather than an novel? Does the author stray from the genre? Where? How? Why?

Explore the Plot Identify the events as well as the significance of each event. Introduction Including the setting What is the time and place of the story? What is the broader setting? Culture Social sphere Historic period How does the setting become a symbol? Rising action (or complication) Climax (or turning point) Falling action Resolution

Characters Who are they? What kinds of people are they? Why do they act as they do? What are their values, beliefs, and desires? How do they interact with each other, or their environment and setting? What is the meaning behind their decisions and actions?

Research The author The historical setting The science Human behavior Social interactions Natural phenomena Psychology Sociology Biology

Using quotes You must explain how the quotation supports your point. Never leave your readers hanging with a quotation and no commentary. Make sure to cite your sources in MLA format.

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