Literary Analysis Essays: Utilizing Multiple Voices The American Dream English 10

Definition: A paper with multiple voices includes two or more literary sources that add to the discussion and make a particular argument more complex

Your paper is like an episode of “Law and Order” The Simile Your paper is like an episode of “Law and Order” As literary detectives, gather clues and evidence to support your theories As you sift through the evidence, make sense of what you see and formulate clear connections between ideas

Part 1 Introducing the Texts Consider what your chosen texts have to say about your focus question Introduce the texts as “experts” on your topic Include only the summary details that are relevant to your argument

Crafting Body Paragraphs Part 2 Crafting Body Paragraphs Organize your body paragraphs based on topic or theme - not by text! Include two texts per body paragraph, three-four texts throughout the essay Utilize transition words and phrases as you move between the two texts Develop clear comparisons between the texts before moving on to the next paragraph

Analysis Context: How does it relate to your argument as a whole? September 19, 2018 Setting Up Quotes Literary Context: Who is speaking? What circumstances are occurring in the story or poem? Historical Context: How does this quote relate to a particular time period? Analysis Context: How does it relate to your argument as a whole?

Integrating Quotes Integrate quotes as part of a larger sentence - avoid “plopping” quotes in your paragraphs unsupported Correct Punctuation: Use a comma when integrating with speaker + verb; use a colon when integrating with an independent clause (complete thought) before the quote

Thesis: It is impossible to destroy the American Dream Paragraph 1 Example Outline: Thesis: It is impossible to destroy the American Dream Paragraph 1: Envisioning the American Dream Of Mice and Men: “Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and—” (Steinbeck 14). “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz”: “If the car was any indication of what John would see, he was prepared to be astonished indeed” (Fitzgerald 4).

Example Outline Paragraph 2: Working for the Dream Of Mice and Men: (Introducing Lennie) “He’s sure a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull” (Steinbeck 22). “I Hear America Singing”: “Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else…Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs” (Whitman 9, 11).

Example Outline Paragraph 3: Adapting the American Dream Of Mice and Men: Lennie achieves the AD because he dies imagining a better life: “Le’s do it now. Le’s get that place now” (Steinbeck 106). “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz”: “His expression changed as he held one of them up to the declining sun. ‘Why these aren’t diamonds!’” (Fitzgerald 25).

Paragraph 4/Conclusion In Conclusion… Conclusion Paragraph: Assess your Argument - Reconsider your Thesis (Making Sense of the Clues) How has your argument developed and added complexity as you gathered evidence? How is your argument relevant to today’s audience? How can it shape perspective when considering the American Dream in the future?