American Lit Literary analysis

CONTROLLING PURPOSE The controlling purpose is similar to a thesis statement.The controlling purpose is similar to a thesis statement. It serves as somewhat of a blueprint for the entire paper by telling the reader what position the writer is taking; or what will be discussed in the paper; or what will be revealed; what will be argued, etc.It serves as somewhat of a blueprint for the entire paper by telling the reader what position the writer is taking; or what will be discussed in the paper; or what will be revealed; what will be argued, etc. A well-written essay has a clearly defined controlling purpose, with evidence to support it.A well-written essay has a clearly defined controlling purpose, with evidence to support it. An effective conclusion reasserts the controlling purpose, but it also leaves the reader with a unique thought to take away from the paper.An effective conclusion reasserts the controlling purpose, but it also leaves the reader with a unique thought to take away from the paper.

CONTROLLING PURPOSE Be sure to give your controlling purpose context: Let the reader know right away who or what you are writing about.Be sure to give your controlling purpose context: Let the reader know right away who or what you are writing about. It’s almost always more effective in your introduction to use a statement as an attention- getter, rather than a question.It’s almost always more effective in your introduction to use a statement as an attention- getter, rather than a question. Please avoid the direct “According to Webster.com, the definition of feminism is….”Please avoid the direct “According to Webster.com, the definition of feminism is….”

Literary analysis The basics: Identify the author with his/her work (usually in the introduction): Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind; “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner.Identify the author with his/her work (usually in the introduction): Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind; “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner. Use author’s first and last name on first reference; only the last name after that, although it’s OK to use both again in the conclusion.Use author’s first and last name on first reference; only the last name after that, although it’s OK to use both again in the conclusion. Set off book titles by either underlining or italicizing; short stories, songs, movie titles: Place in quotation marks.Set off book titles by either underlining or italicizing; short stories, songs, movie titles: Place in quotation marks. Cite your sources. If the words aren’t yours, you need to tell the reader where they come from and/or who you’re quoting or paraphrasing. Otherwise, you’re plagiarizing.Cite your sources. If the words aren’t yours, you need to tell the reader where they come from and/or who you’re quoting or paraphrasing. Otherwise, you’re plagiarizing.

Literary analysis: tense and person Stay in third person: no “I,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “my,” “mine” (first person); also avoid second- person “you” if possible. This usually can be done through simple re-phrasing:Stay in third person: no “I,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “my,” “mine” (first person); also avoid second- person “you” if possible. This usually can be done through simple re-phrasing: –Instead of, “You can imagine Scarlett’s anger,” write, “Scarlett’s anger is evident.”

THIRD PERSON It’s not easy to simply state that we are victims of circumstance or that we have control over everything in our lives.It’s not easy to simply state that we are victims of circumstance or that we have control over everything in our lives. It’s not easy to simply state that humans are victims of circumstance or have control over everything in their lives.It’s not easy to simply state that humans are victims of circumstance or have control over everything in their lives. We can find characters with these qualities in Gone With The Wind.We can find characters with these qualities in Gone With The Wind. Characters with these qualities can be found in Gone With The Wind.Characters with these qualities can be found in Gone With The Wind.

Tense Because literature is timeless, it is written about in present tense. For example, Emily Grierson is a fallen monument. Scarlett uses men for her personal gain.Because literature is timeless, it is written about in present tense. For example, Emily Grierson is a fallen monument. Scarlett uses men for her personal gain. Past tense: Ashley Wilkes was stuck in the past. (Past tense: “was” should read “is”)Past tense: Ashley Wilkes was stuck in the past. (Past tense: “was” should read “is”) Past tense: Emily refused to let another man dictate her life. (Past tense “refused” should read “refuses”)Past tense: Emily refused to let another man dictate her life. (Past tense “refused” should read “refuses”)

MAKING ASSUMPTIONS Be sure you can support your statements. How do we know that:Be sure you can support your statements. How do we know that: “Jackie Brown is a harder worker than most people.”“Jackie Brown is a harder worker than most people.” “Naturalism is definitely a wide-shared philosophy.”“Naturalism is definitely a wide-shared philosophy.” “Jackie Brown could have worked very hard to become educated, but he didn’t do it.”“Jackie Brown could have worked very hard to become educated, but he didn’t do it.” “Anyone can get a scholarship or even a job.”“Anyone can get a scholarship or even a job.”

PROOFREADING HALL OF SHAME Even the best points can be lost in misspellings, typos, etc.Even the best points can be lost in misspellings, typos, etc. Instead, the Joads try to make ends meat.Instead, the Joads try to make ends meat. Harry Beamus is a man who loves books.Harry Beamus is a man who loves books. The Jones are forced off there land.The Jones are forced off there land. “Billy Austin,” a novel by Steve Earle,…“Billy Austin,” a novel by Steve Earle,… Billy SustineBilly Sustine Tom JoanTom Joan Jackie feels like life owes her for everything he has done.Jackie feels like life owes her for everything he has done.

PROOFREADING HALL OF SHAME In The Grapes of Wrath, when John gets out of jail on parole…In The Grapes of Wrath, when John gets out of jail on parole… That is one sad son.That is one sad son. Billy Austin just needs to clam himself before he acts.Billy Austin just needs to clam himself before he acts.

Mechanics Circled words are misspelled.Circled words are misspelled. Comments in all capital letters indicate I have a question or am just making an observation.Comments in all capital letters indicate I have a question or am just making an observation. Comments in upper and lower case letters indicate a suggestion for clarifying, rewording, or restructuring.Comments in upper and lower case letters indicate a suggestion for clarifying, rewording, or restructuring. Three small lines under a letter indicate that word should be capitalized; a slash through a letter indicates it should be lowercased.Three small lines under a letter indicate that word should be capitalized; a slash through a letter indicates it should be lowercased.

Essay #1: The particulars Addresses these works: The Grapes of Wrath; “Rain on the Scarecrow” or “Roger and Me.”Addresses these works: The Grapes of Wrath; “Rain on the Scarecrow” or “Roger and Me.” “Scarecrow” addresses contemporary conditions: It is written about farmers of today, rather than the Dust Bowl era.“Scarecrow” addresses contemporary conditions: It is written about farmers of today, rather than the Dust Bowl era. Schepman, in “Scarecrow” is called by the bank to auction the land; he’s not doing the narrator any favors.Schepman, in “Scarecrow” is called by the bank to auction the land; he’s not doing the narrator any favors. Most of what we hear in the works is a Great Plains dialect, as opposed to a Southern accent.Most of what we hear in the works is a Great Plains dialect, as opposed to a Southern accent. Not all of the farmers across the works go to California or are fleeing the Dust Bowl; only applies to The Grapes of Wrath.Not all of the farmers across the works go to California or are fleeing the Dust Bowl; only applies to The Grapes of Wrath.

Literary analysis: Grammar PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT A pronoun and its antecedent (the noun or pronoun it is replacing or referring to) must agree in gender and number.PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT A pronoun and its antecedent (the noun or pronoun it is replacing or referring to) must agree in gender and number. Naturalism is defined as an event that is beyond one’s control, but it is up to that person to have power over their response.Naturalism is defined as an event that is beyond one’s control, but it is up to that person to have power over their response. one = singularone = singular that person = singularthat person = singular their = plural.their = plural.

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT There are also some examples in which a person may leave home in their car at a certain time and is involved in an accident that mortally wounds them.There are also some examples in which a person may leave home in their car at a certain time and is involved in an accident that mortally wounds them. a person = singulara person = singular their = pluraltheir = plural them = pluralthem = plural When born, a person has no control over where they will be born.When born, a person has no control over where they will be born. person = singularperson = singular they = pluralthey = plural

PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT The free will of an individual will allow or disallow them to go beyond their initial circumstances.The free will of an individual will allow or disallow them to go beyond their initial circumstances. individual = singularindividual = singular them = pluralthem = plural their = pluraltheir = plural

COMMA SPLICES Two independent thoughts (or two complete sentences) within one sentence cannot be separated by a comma alone.Two independent thoughts (or two complete sentences) within one sentence cannot be separated by a comma alone.

COMMA SPLICES Example: Henry probably still would end up like he does, no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.Example: Henry probably still would end up like he does, no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life. We have two independent clauses:We have two independent clauses: Because of his absent-mindedness, Henry probably still would end up like he does, it’s just his nature.Because of his absent-mindedness, Henry probably still would end up like he does, it’s just his nature. No one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.No one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.

COMMA SPLICES Fix the comma “splice” in three ways:Fix the comma “splice” in three ways: Simply replace the comma with a semi-colon.Simply replace the comma with a semi-colon. Henry probably still would end up like does; no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.Henry probably still would end up like does; no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life. Keep the comma, but add a subordinating or coordinating conjunction.Keep the comma, but add a subordinating or coordinating conjunction. Henry probably still would end up like does, because no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.Henry probably still would end up like does, because no one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life. Replace the comma with a period, and form two sentences.Replace the comma with a period, and form two sentences. Henry probably still would end up like does. No one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.Henry probably still would end up like does. No one can ever tell what is happening to him or her next in life.

COMMA SPLICES Example: It was more than that, the crops were not rotated.Example: It was more than that, the crops were not rotated. Fix: It was more than that; the crops were not rotated.Fix: It was more than that; the crops were not rotated. It was more than that. The crops were not rotated. It was more than that. The crops were not rotated.

COMMA SPLICES Identify and correct the comma splices in these sentences.Identify and correct the comma splices in these sentences. The world was cruel to them, they had no chance for a prosperous life. They chose to go west, nature simply gives them a push. It could be argued that Jackie Brown should have pursued an education, it’s not that simple.

Essay #2: Observations Formatting: a couple of exceptions but much better with third-person, present tense.Formatting: a couple of exceptions but much better with third-person, present tense. Most were passionately argued, with opinions on naturalism ranging from “get up and do something with your life” to “it’s not that simple.”Most were passionately argued, with opinions on naturalism ranging from “get up and do something with your life” to “it’s not that simple.” Point deductions:Point deductions: Controlling purpose: establish right away what naturalism is and how it’s defined.Controlling purpose: establish right away what naturalism is and how it’s defined. Accuracy: The big one this time: Jackie Brown is a man, not a woman, and an adult, not a child.Accuracy: The big one this time: Jackie Brown is a man, not a woman, and an adult, not a child. Not citing the works to support points: not quoting the characters/narrativeNot citing the works to support points: not quoting the characters/narrative

SPELLING Don’t write “defiantly” when you mean “definitely.”Don’t write “defiantly” when you mean “definitely.” Don’t write “loose” when you mean “lose.”Don’t write “loose” when you mean “lose.” It’s John Steinbeck; not John Steinback, John Steinbach, or John Stinebeck.It’s John Steinbeck; not John Steinback, John Steinbach, or John Stinebeck. The singular is “woman”; plural is “women.”The singular is “woman”; plural is “women.”

PUNCTUATION/GRAMMAR Put quotation marks around, italicize, or underline book titles, song titles, movies, television shows, etc.Put quotation marks around, italicize, or underline book titles, song titles, movies, television shows, etc. Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks. Semi-colons and colons go outside of quotation marks.Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks. Semi-colons and colons go outside of quotation marks. Always capitalize proper nouns: “The Twilight Zone”; The Grapes of Wrath; The Dust Bowl; The Great Depression.Always capitalize proper nouns: “The Twilight Zone”; The Grapes of Wrath; The Dust Bowl; The Great Depression.

PUNCTUATION/GRAMMAR Possessive versus pluralPossessive versus plural CorrectIncorrect The Joads headedThe Joad’s headed west.west. its versus it’sits versus it’s CorrectIncorrect It’s a choice he makes.The dog bit it’s own tail.

TRANSITIONS Use the beginning of each paragraph as a bridge to the previous one:Use the beginning of each paragraph as a bridge to the previous one: ORIGINAL:ORIGINAL: Because of this, Mellencamp’s “Jackie Brown” is a good example of naturalism. Henry Bemis, a bookish little man with owl-eye glasses, an awful wife, and a boring job is another victim of naturalism. The transition becomes stronger by simply adding the word “Similarly” before “Henry Bemis.”The transition becomes stronger by simply adding the word “Similarly” before “Henry Bemis.” REVISED:REVISED: Similarly, Henry Bemis, a bookish little man…” “Similarly” provides the link between Jackie Brown and Henry Bemis, as well as the paragraphs in which they are discussed.

General observations Group projectsGroup projects Number of groups that followed proper format for lesson plan: 1Number of groups that followed proper format for lesson plan: 1 Number of groups that didn’t turn in a lesson plan at all (which accounts for nearly a third of the 170 points): 1Number of groups that didn’t turn in a lesson plan at all (which accounts for nearly a third of the 170 points): 1 Number of groups that showed frustration during presentations because audience wasn’t listening: 4Number of groups that showed frustration during presentations because audience wasn’t listening: 4 Number of people who expressed this frustration as presenters but contributed to the frustration as audience members:Number of people who expressed this frustration as presenters but contributed to the frustration as audience members: That’s for you to ask yourselfThat’s for you to ask yourself

Structure revisited: Southern belles Always identify the works AND the authors. Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind”; William Faulkner’s “A Rose For Emily.”Always identify the works AND the authors. Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind”; William Faulkner’s “A Rose For Emily.” In this type of analysis: WRITE IN THIRD PERSON AND PRESENT TENSE. To see first person and past tense is just really discouraging at this point.In this type of analysis: WRITE IN THIRD PERSON AND PRESENT TENSE. To see first person and past tense is just really discouraging at this point.

Punctuation revisited: Southern belles Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “Gone With The Wind,” by Margaret Mitchell;Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks: “Gone With The Wind,” by Margaret Mitchell; …in Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.” The possessive indication for a proper noun that ends with “s” is simply an apostrophe after the “s”: Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie.”The possessive indication for a proper noun that ends with “s” is simply an apostrophe after the “s”: Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie.” When referring to the region of the country, capitalize “South.”When referring to the region of the country, capitalize “South.”

Proofreading revisited: Southern belles Rushing through a paper and ignoring careful proofreading produces glaring errors like these, which just kill a paper’s effectiveness: Emily is stuck in her past just as Emily is, although for entirely different reasons.Emily is stuck in her past just as Emily is, although for entirely different reasons. This also leads to how Emily and Scarlett and Emily react to what people expect of them.This also leads to how Emily and Scarlett and Emily react to what people expect of them. Ashley Wingfield also has some men troubles she faces.Ashley Wingfield also has some men troubles she faces. Amanda Wingfield is connected to her past. She has one leg that is shorter than the other, and she lets this control her whole life.Amanda Wingfield is connected to her past. She has one leg that is shorter than the other, and she lets this control her whole life. Amanda viewed men as stupid and yearning for lust. She thought she could seduce her man in the barn, when really he seduced her and took her most prized possession.Amanda viewed men as stupid and yearning for lust. She thought she could seduce her man in the barn, when really he seduced her and took her most prized possession.