HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS PARAGRAPH WITH HARRY POTTER!

Literary ANALYSIS means “explaining HOW something (like diction, syntax, or imagery) helps or hurts the story”

Terms to Know THESIS or TOPIC SENTENCE (T) The thesis, or topic sentence, explains what you are going to say about the story. Sometimes it is your answer to a question. Try to say something insightful and original. It is a good idea to begin the paragraph with your topic sentence because the concrete details and commentary will follow and “prove” your point.

If the question was: What kind of a boy is Harry Potter in the story Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? what would you answer? This answer would be your thesis, or topic sentence. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry is a champion to many of the more insecure students at Hogwarts.

Terms to Know Concrete Detail (CD) These are specific details from the story that you will use to support your thesis, or topic sentence. These could be examples or quotes taken right from the pages of the story.

If I had to “prove” my thesis, In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry is a champion to many of the more insecure students at Hogwarts. with a concrete detail, I could write For example, when Malfoy takes Neville’s Rememberall, Harry takes a broom and gets it back.

Terms to Know Commentary (CM) This refers to your opinion, or what you believe is true. Your commentary reveals your insight about the concrete detail you’ve written. Even though it is your opinion, however, it must be accurate. What do you think that means?

For every concrete detail in your paragraph, you should have two commentary remarks.

How can I show my thinking about my thesis and my concrete detail? In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry is a champion to many of the more insecure students at Hogwarts. For example, when Malfoy takes Neville’s Rememberall, Harry takes a broom and gets it back. I can add two opinions, or commentary: He cannot stand someone who picks on others. Harry is now a hero to those less fortunate.

Terms to Know CONCLUSION The conclusion sentence sums up your commentary by “circling back” to your topic sentence.

I want to “circle back” to my thesis, which is about Harry being a champion. How about: He has found a place where he belongs and wants to protect the vulnerable.

The “One-Chunk” Paragraph Sentence 1 Topic Sentence Sentence 2 Concrete Sentence 3 Commentary Sentence 4Commentary Sentence 5Conclusion

SAMPLE “One Chunk” Paragraph In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry is a champion to many of the more insecure students at Hogwarts. For example, when Malfoy takes Neville ’ s Rememberall, Harry takes a broom and gets it back. He cannot stand someone who picks on others. Harry is now a hero to those less fortunate. He has found a place where he belongs and wants to protect the vulnerable.