1. Writing the Literary Analysis

2. An analysis explains what a work of literature means, and how it means it.

3. How is a literary analysis like an argument?
When writing a literary analysis, you will focus on specific attribute(s) (a piece of information) of the text.
When discussing these attributes, you will want to make sure that you are making a specific, arguable point (thesis) about these attributes.
You will defend this point with reasons and evidence drawn from the text. (Much like a lawyer!)

4. Meaning of the Story Essential Elements Rhetorical Devices Symbolism
What do I look for?
Meaning of the Story
Essential Elements
Rhetorical Devices
Symbolism

5. How to Analyze a Story Meaning of the Story (Interpretation)
Identify the theme(s) and how the author announces it.
Explain how the story elements contribute to the theme.
Identify contextual elements (allusions, symbols, other devices) that point beyond the story to the author’s life/experience, history or to other writings.

6. How to Analyze a Story Essential Elements of the Story
Theme: main idea—what the work adds up to
Plot: Relationship and patterns of events
Characters: people the author creates
Including the narrator of a story or the speaker of a poem
Setting: when and where the action happens
Point of View: perspective or attitude of the narrator or speaker

7. Identify the author’s use and explain their importance
How to Analyze a Story
Rhetorical Devices:
Identify the author’s use and explain their importance

8. Common Rhetorical Devices
repetition: the use of the same word, phrase, or sound more than once for emphasis
parallelism: the use of similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are related or of equal importance
rhetorical questions: questions that need no answer because their answers seem obvious

9. ALLITERATION
RHYME
The repetition of the same sounds at the beginning of two or more adjacent words or stressed syllables.
The formalized consonance of syllables. It has two types: Internal rhyme and External rhyme or end rhyme

10. Repetition and Parallelism
Repetition and parallelism are rhetorical devices in which repeated words and patterns provide rhythm, enhance ideas, and organize complex passages.
In the following example, notice the parallel grammatical form (noun+ action verb) plus the repetition of the one word, change, create strong rhythms when the text is spoken, cementing the message in listeners' minds.
EXAMPLE
Times change. People change. Companies change. Have you changed?

11. Rhetorical Questions
Most rhetorical questions prompt thought or focus discussion and are not meant to be answered literally.
Rhetorical questions in persuasive texts often are meant to sway audiences to agree with the writers' arguments or opinions.

12. Rhetorical Questions EXAMPLE And what is so rare as a day in June?
Is this question meant to persuade or to summon an image or feeling?

13. I came, I saw, I conquered. Example 1
Try it out— For each example, decide which rhetorical device is being used by identifying characteristics of the device, and then explain the effect it creates for each piece of text.
Example 1
According to the ancient historian Plutarch, the Roman emperor Julius Caesar spoke these words, one of history’s most recognized utterances.
I came, I saw, I conquered.

14. Parallelism I came, I saw, I conquered.
The parallel grammatical forms (pronoun I + past-tense action verb) have a potent rhythm, giving weight and authority to the saying

15. Example 2
President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on January 20, 1969 moved many Americans with its call to action.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

16. Rhetorical Questions
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
Kennedy’s rhetorical questions are addressed directly to the audience.
The implied “yes” answer to each question, prompts listeners to accept the challenges named in the speech.

17. Metaphor A comparison that doesn’t use “like” or “as”—such as “He’s a rock” or “I am an island.”

18. PERSONIFICATION
SIMILE
Nonhuman things or abstractions are represented as having human qualities.
EXAMPLE 
“A tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair”
(from “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer)
A comparison of two things that is essentially different, usually using the words like or as.
 EXAMPLE
“Oh my love is like a red, red rose.”
(from “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns)

19. Foreshadowing A technique in which an author gives clues about something that will happen later in the story.

20. Tone Author’s attitude—stated or implied—toward the subject Revealed through word choice and details

21. Irony: contrast between what is expected or what appears to be and what actually is
Verbal Irony—contrast between what is said and what is actually meant
Irony of Situation—an event that is the opposite of what is expected or intended
Dramatic Irony—Audience or reader knows more than the characters know

22. Figurative Language: language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words
Simile
Metaphor
Alliteration
Personification
Onomatopoeia
Hyperbole

23. Person, place, object which stand for larger and more abstract ideas
Symbolism
Person, place, object which stand for larger and more abstract ideas

24. See if you can explain what the following symbols mean:

25. Concept Development: Symbols
A symbol is often an event, object, person or animal to which an extraordinary meaning or significance has been attached.
Pair/share: What ideas do these pictures symbolize?

26. Concept Development: Where do Symbols come from?
Symbols can be inherited or invented.
Ex. The Statue of Liberty came to symbolize freedom for people immigrating to the United States by way of Ellis Island.

27. Importance: Why Create Symbols in literature?
Symbols allow writers to suggest layers of meanings and possibilities that a simple literal statement could not convey as well.
Symbols allow writers to convey an idea with layers of meaning without having to explain those layers in the text.
A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening ripples.
Pair/Share: Tell your partner a symbol from one of our readings this year or last year.

28. Symbols in past stories we have read…
The Lottery:
Character Names: Symbol for ____________
Texas vs Johnson:
American flag: Symbol for _______________
Macbeth:
Blood : Symbol for _______________

29. Independent Practice
Think of a movie or book that utilizes a symbol (you cannot use an example from this powerpoint!)
Name the movie/book
Identify the symbol
Identify the literal meaning of the symbol
Identify the figurative (symbolic) meaning of the symbol
Explain why the symbol was used