The World of Literary Analysis English 11 & English 11H English 11H

Analysis To “analyze” something is to break it down into its parts to better understand it. To “analyze” something is to break it down into its parts to better understand it. In “literary analysis” you break a work of literature down into its parts and explain your observations of that analysis. In “literary analysis” you break a work of literature down into its parts and explain your observations of that analysis. List what you might choose to analyze in a piece of literature... List what you might choose to analyze in a piece of literature...

Basic Guidelines 1. Write in literary present. 2. Use concrete details from the literary works – directly quoted passages, specific examples to verify your point. 3. Always explain HOW that concrete detail verifies your thesis.

Basic Essay Format (For My Visual Learners!) Introduction: Start with general ideas, narrow down to your focus Thesis: Include Topic, Observation Body Paragraphs: Explain reasons that support your thesis, including TS, CD, CM and CS Conclusion: Review thesis, major points, end with relevance to the world today. Relevance: Why should your readers even care about this?

Introduction ONE SENTENCE is NOT enough to serve as an introduction. ONE SENTENCE is NOT enough to serve as an introduction. Items to consider for the introduction: Items to consider for the introduction: Brief plot summary Brief plot summary Description of your definition of a term – for example, if you are writing a paper about redemption, explain, using examples what you mean by that term. Description of your definition of a term – for example, if you are writing a paper about redemption, explain, using examples what you mean by that term.

Introduction You’ll also need to include your thesis. You’ll also need to include your thesis. Thesis statements can go either at the beginning of the introduction paragraph or the end – just make sure that its placement seems coherent with the rest of the paragraph Thesis statements can go either at the beginning of the introduction paragraph or the end – just make sure that its placement seems coherent with the rest of the paragraph

Thesis Your thesis statement will either: Your thesis statement will either: Answer or respond to a prompted topic. Answer or respond to a prompted topic. OR... OR... Make a statement about what your analysis and observations have yielded. Make a statement about what your analysis and observations have yielded.

Thesis Items to include in your thesis statement: Items to include in your thesis statement: Title of literary work Title of literary work Author of literary work Author of literary work Topic (theme, prompt subject, etc) Topic (theme, prompt subject, etc) Your observation of that topic Your observation of that topic A preview of reasons (optional – can serve as a roadmap for the rest of your essay, though!) A preview of reasons (optional – can serve as a roadmap for the rest of your essay, though!)

Supporting the Thesis Each body paragraph must begin and end with sentences that show its connection to the thesis Each body paragraph must begin and end with sentences that show its connection to the thesis Beginning = topic sentence Beginning = topic sentence Ending = clincher sentence Ending = clincher sentence

Supporting the Thesis Concrete details are vital to supporting your thesis – you have to show what gave you the idea you’re writing about Concrete details are vital to supporting your thesis – you have to show what gave you the idea you’re writing about Use the following: Use the following: Directly quoted passages Directly quoted passages Descriptions of events from the work Descriptions of events from the work Commentary that demonstrates why the evidence you’re providing helps you make your point. Commentary that demonstrates why the evidence you’re providing helps you make your point. Writers INC Reference – p. 247 Writers INC Reference – p. 247

REMEMBER, QUOTES... Should never stand alone – don’t just plunk them into your essay – lead into them – use transitions! Should never stand alone – don’t just plunk them into your essay – lead into them – use transitions! Should never be left hanging – comment on them and their relation to the thesis! Should never be left hanging – comment on them and their relation to the thesis! Help you make a point – they do not make your point for you! Help you make a point – they do not make your point for you! MUST be cited properly. MUST be cited properly.

Conclusion Remind readers of what you had planned to educate them about. Remind readers of what you had planned to educate them about. Explain why what you have written is important. Explain why what you have written is important. Show how the work of literature is still relevant. Show how the work of literature is still relevant.