1. What do YOU have to say about it?
Analysis
What do YOU have to say about it?

2. What is literary analysis
Delving into-reading closely and criticizing-a work of literature in order to react to it, evaluate it, interpret it, draw conclusions, find meaning, and connect it to other works of literature, real-life situations, and thematic ideas.
Notice, the word identify is not used in the definition.
It is not simply pointing out devices and elements and identifying certain aspects of a work of literature.

3. First, I look at… The devices and… Diction Characterization Syntax
Metaphors
Similes
Hyperbole
Symbolism
Imagery
Repetition
and…
Characterization
Understatement
Imagery
Sarcasm
Alliteration
Assonance
Dialogue
Irony

4. Then, I decide… How do these devices shape the elements: Character
Mood
Tone
Narrator/Point of view
Setting
Plot/Conflict

5. Now, I find the theme
What do I learn about the character through dialogue?
What do I learn about human nature by looking at the dialogue between two characters?
What can I infer about the author’s message through the characterization tools he uses to create his nefarious antagonist?
What can be said about the nature of life through the author’s use of dark, negative diction in this story?

6. And what is a theme?
A theme is not one word: love, human nature, tension of opposites.
It is, instead, a universal phrase that everyone can understand.
It may be centered around one word, but something must be said of that word.
Let’s illustrate:
In Dostoevsky’s novel, The Brothers Karamazov, the overarching theme, which is centered around revenge, is: No matter how badly someone has hurt another, revenge is never an act that should come to fruition; revenge will tear at one’s heart, causing him or her to live with guilt the rest of his or her life.
A message with meaning

7. Universal themes What is to be said about… Love Revenge
Pain and suffering of the innocent
Dark/Evil vs. Light/Goodness: Tension of Opposites
Guilt
Death
War
One’s place in the universe/afterlife
Life
Growing old

8. The process
Equation:
The device/s creates the element
The element is then analyzed, which leads us to the message
The theme is discovered

9. characterization: point of view-first person declarative statement
Purpose: Theme
Plot
Setting
Point of View
Mood
Characters
Tone
imagery
understatement
characterization: point of view-first person
declarative statement
diction
characterization
syntax
symbolism
sarcasm
rhetoric
repetition

10. Owning it! The trick to solid literary analysis is:
Find five-seven devices that you understand well
Find two to three elements that you understand well
Write down three to five themes
Start really building your literary analysis by answering the question “So What?”

11. My process My top five to seven devices: My top two to three elements:
Diction
Syntax
Symbolism
Imagery
Irony
Characterization
Figurative Language
My top two to three elements:
Tone
Characters
Point of View

12. Breaking it apart Diction What do you notice?
Alyosha sat “broken” and “dejected” in his study.
The “dark”, “lonely” space surrounded him.
His “gaunt” face and “empty” eyes taunted him as he gazed into the “sardonic” mirror.

13. All negative diction
This scene comes into play after Alyosha avenged his father’s wrath.
Now that we have established the diction as being negative, what can be said about the overall tone?
It is?
Angry?
Bitter?
Anxious?
Broken?

14. Putting it all together
Revenge
Clearly, Dostoevsky purposely chooses his diction to create a theme: a message to reveal to his readers.
But what is it? I’m looking at the angry tone, which is displayed through negative diction, and I find…
Dostoevsky uses negative diction in this scene to reveal his truth that revenge is never an act that humans should partake in, as it riddles one with guilt and a bleak, lonely existence.

15. The language of analysis
So how do I, a student, say something new or in a new way to my audience?
Ask yourself:
SO WHAT? What does this mean? What does it reveal about:
Human nature
The human condition
Life in general
The characters
Major themes and how they are communicated
Historical context (what does this text reveal about a certain time period)

16. Phrases to utilize
Most important things to remember: What is the impact on the reader? WHY and HOW a work was written?
The struggles that Romeo and Juliet face demonstrate the reality that…
Without Poe’s bold tone, the overarching thematic idea that ______ would not be so recognizable to the reader.
Through the use of imagery, the reader is able to…
The impression the use of characterization makes on the reader is…

17. Now, it’s your turn
Please read Poe’s short story, Tell Tale Heart, one time through without annotating.
Look for conflicts, characters, and other elements of the work.
Then, highlight and annotate the short story, specifically pointing out the devices you would like to “own”.
Make sure to annotate in the margins, briefly discussing the impact of these devices on the creation of the elements.
Start thinking about the thematic ideas being developed here.