1. (AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE)
Literary Analysis
(AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE)

2. OBJECTIVES Define literary analysis
Understand purpose of literary analysis
Tips for effective analysis
Analysis of Literary Elements: diction, conflict, images, symbols, figurative language, theme and form/style

3. LITERARY ANALYSIS
A literary analysis explains a literary work in a formal essay. The work (novel, short story, or poem) is described by the use of the literary elements and the intention of the author.

4. LITERARY ANALYSIS
Literary analysis assumes knowledge of the work and therefore does not provide a summary.
Each analysis paper supports a clearly defined thesis to be proved about the work; it can be PERSUASIVE or INFORMATIVE.
You are analyzing WHY!

5. PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS
The ultimate end of analysis is a deeper understanding and a fuller appreciation of the literature – you learn to see more, to uncover or create richer, denser, more interesting meanings.

6. STRATEGIES TO FOLLOW FOR EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS
Read the text
Consider related viewpoints
Consider literary elements

7. “How” to Read Read s l o w l y, p a y a t t e n t i o n to every word
Use your gut (initial) reactions
Take notes on your impressions and observations
Try to discover the author’s purpose--research what the authors have said about their work or historical events that relate to the work
Use all the skills you’ve used with non-fiction reading. In the back of your mind, think about how the texts can be used with one another. Are they Compared? Contrasted? Etc.

8. Possible viewpoints
Political viewpoint: consider how political systems and politics are portrayed in the work
Ethnic viewpoint: consider how ethnic groups are portrayed within the work
Societal viewpoint: consider how societies are portrayed within the work
Feminist viewpoint: consider how the work portrays women and approaches gender roles

9. Consider other perspectives where appropriate
religious
psychological
belief systems
The caution here is to accurately represent the text and support all interpretations by evidence in the text.

10. First….
and read the work. Take notes along the way, considering all the stuff you know while you read

11. Literary Elements DICTION
THE WORDS
Focus on of the work.
Ask:
Is the language clear or does the author use metaphors and similes?
Is this the language of emotion or reason?
What images are created?
How has dialogue been used? Does it add meaning to the text?
How is it used with the other text?

12. Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work.
CONNOTATION
Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the work.
alliteration
metaphor
personification
diction
simile
onomatopoeia
descriptions
HYPERBOLE
The author didn’t put this stuff in there because they were bored. Figure out why. These elements add to the meaning.

13. Consider the conflict
List all of the conflicts or tensions in the work and
fill them out with evidence from the work.
Draw conclusions about the conflicts in both texts, and how they relate to one another.
Consider the universal ideas of conflict:
Man vs. Man
Man vs. Nature
Man vs. Society
Man vs. Self
Man vs. Religion
Man vs. Machine
Man vs. Supernatural

14. THEME
As you already know, theme is the central idea or message the author is sharing with the reader.
It does not make a judgment.
For example: “Drugs are bad” is not a theme.
It merely states something that is true about life and the human condition.
Your theme is the opinion component of your thesis statement.

15. Literary Elements THEME
REVENGE
Look for the meaning in the text, but don’t settle for the first thing you see.
Make a list of all possible themes stated in complete sentences and in universal terms
Example:
One theme of “The Pearl” is that greed can be a destructive force.
INTEGRITY
GOOD VS. EVIL
POWER
INJUSTICE
LOVE

16. How do I find the THEME? Read the entire work.
Consider the literary elements.
What message are the literary elements trying to convey to the reader?
What is the author trying to say about life?
Remember, this will be used for FICTIONAL or poetical pieces.

17. Poetry is examined through rhyme, rhythm, sound devices, and format
Each genre or type of literature has its own principles of style and form.
Poetry is
examined
through
rhyme, rhythm,
sound devices,
and format
Fiction is examined by considering narrative point of view, setting, word choice or characterization.
Drama’s unique element is staging, the props, actors’ gestures, lighting, the set, and visual effects.

18. ATTITUDE
Tone is the attitude of the
speaker toward the novel.

19. Literary Elements IMAGES
Most literature can be analyzed through images and symbols.
Scan the work, listing images, symbols, searching for patterns and repetitions.
Write down page references and your first interpretations.