1. Bellwork Assignment Answer the following prompt in one paragraph (5 to 8 sentences). Remember this is MY time, so there is NO TALKING!! What do you know about writing essays? What would you like to learn about writing essays? What is the easiest part of writing for you? What is the hardest part of writing for you?

2. Bellwork Assignment
Answer the following prompt. Remember, NO TALKING! What do you know about writing a literary analysis essay? If you don’t know anything about them, then what do you think they include? How are they different from other essays?

3. How to Write A Literary Analysis Essay Effectively
AP Literature and Composition

4. Begin with the basics Read the book or books assigned
While reading, ask relevant questions like the following:
- Why did the author write this?
- What is the theme?
- What are some symbols?
- How are the characters developed?
- How is the writing style relevant to the content?
- What do the characters learn?
- What literary terms are addressed and why?

5. Look for Connections and Patterns
Ask some more questions like the following:
- How are the characters connected to the theme(s)?
- How are the themes, characters, and symbols connected?
- What does the format and style suggest about the story?
- What are my connections to the story?

6. Develop a Thesis Statement
Thesis statements are NOT questions!
Thesis statements are NOT mere observations!
Thesis statements function in two ways:
- They introduce the main idea that will be developed in the text of the essay.
- They analyze or illuminate the text, often in terms of literary elements.

7. Example of an Observation
Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, uses a non- linear structure with frequent flashbacks.
What’s wrong with this “thesis”?

8. This statement is merely an observation on the part of the essay writer. It is a good observation; however, it is one most readers could recognize without your help.
Think of your essay as a teaching tool that will help to analyze or illuminate the text.

9. Helpful Hints for Developing Thesis Statements
USE ACTION VERBS
Good Example: Toni Morrison mirrors the fragmentation of her characters’ lives in the structure of the novel itself.
Bad Example: Beloved, written by Toni Morrison, has a fragmented format that mirrors her characters.

10. Helpful Hints Continued…
WHEN APPLICABLE, USE THREE EXAMPLES TO SUPPORT YOUR MAIN IDEA
Example: Toni Morrison mirrors the fragmentation of her characters’ lives through the novel’s non-linear structure, specifically through her use of flashback, stream of consciousness, and shifts in point of view.

11. Locate Quotations that Support Your Thesis Statement
As a rule of thumb, try to find at least three direct quotations to support each element contained in the thesis statement.
- 3 examples of flashback
- 3 examples of stream of consciousness
- 3 examples of shifts in point of view

12. Determine the Order in Which You Will Use The Information
Note cards
Traditional outline
Notes that you can decipher

13. Writing An Introduction
You probably have been taught to write at least a five sentence introduction in past essays; however, when it comes to writing for AP, they suggest that you only do about 2-4 sentences for your introduction.
Your introduction should do the following things:
- NO HOOK!
- A brief summary of the text
- Your thesis

14. Writing An Introduction Cont…
All sentences should have weight and meaning! Here are some things effective sentences do:
- Introduce background
- Introduce new concepts/definitions
- Provide transitions
- Introduce quotations
- Provide facts and support

15. Writing An Introduction Cont…
Empty sentences have no other purpose than to take up space!
Here are some examples of empty sentences:
- Toni Morrison is a good author.
- She writes about former slaves and women of color.
- Slavery was shameful.
- Beloved is a good book that deals with many issues relevant to literature.

16. Using our thesis statement from earlier, let’s write an introduction.
Let’s start with a general statement about writing, one that begins to deal with our topic directly yet hasn’t addressed the specific novel or the thesis statement:
Experimental writers often subvert the traditional form of the novel by refusing to use a chronological plot line in favor of one less linear.

17. Now let’s get more specific
Now let’s get more specific. Let’s mention our novel/poem/drama and the author and a small summary of the novel.
Experimental writers often subvert the traditional form of the novel by refusing to use a chronological plot line in favor of one less linear. Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved is not narrated chronologically from Sethe’s birth to Beloved’s disappearance. Instead it is told in a series of seemingly unrelated pieces.

18. Writing An Introduction Cont…
Now, let’s add our thesis statement.
Experimental writers often subvert the traditional form of the novel by refusing to use a chronological plot line in favor of one less linear. Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved is not narrated chronologically from Sethe’s birth to Beloved’s disappearance. Instead it is told in a series of seemingly unrelated pieces. Morrison mirrors the fragmentation of her characters’ lives through the novel’s non-linear structure, specifically through her use of flashback, stream of consciousness, and shifts in point of view.

19. Writing An Introduction Cont…
It is important to remember that an effectively- written and well-organized introductory paragraph should act as a signpost for the rest of the paper!!

20. Look at the outline of the rest of this essay that I passed out to you.

21. Conclusion
It is sometimes helpful to think of the conclusion as a reversal of your introduction.
You may want to begin by rephrasing your thesis statement.

22. Original thesis statement:
Morrison mirrors the fragmentation of her characters’ lives through the novel’s non-linear structure, specifically through her use of flashback, stream of consciousness, and shifts in point of view.
Rephrased thesis statement:
Because of Morrison’s innovative use of basic literary elements like flashback, stream of consciousness, and point of view, she is able to produce a powerful effect that reflects the sometimes chaotic and often broken lives of her characters.

23. Now we work backwards to something a little more general.
Original:
Toni Morrison’s Beloved is not narrated chronologically from Sethe’s birth to Beloved’s disappearance. Instead it is told in a series of seemingly unrelated pieces.
Conclusion:
By constructing the novel in what at first appears to be unrelated pieces unanchored in chronology or point of view, Morrison actually achieves a kind of unity that supports the development of the story and her characters.

24. We finally add the “clincher”, which is a sentence that offers a summary and conclusion that is logically indisputable and is delivered in powerful language. Essentially, it is your knock out sentence. In doing so, Morrison creates a new kind of American novel, one not tied to a form rooted in tradition. Similarly, her characters forge ahead to create new lives, confidently rejecting the history of oppression from which it had once seemed impossible to escape.

25. The Final Conclusion
Because of Morrison’s innovative use of basic literary elements like flashback, stream of consciousness, and point of view, she is able to produce a powerful effect that reflects the sometimes chaotic and often broken lives of her characters. By constructing the novel in what at first appears to be unrelated pieces unanchored in chronology or point of view, Morrison actually achieves a kind of unity that supports the development of the story and her characters. In doing so, Morrison creates a new kind of American novel, one not tied to a form rooted in tradition. Similarly, her characters forge ahead to create new lives, confidently rejecting the history of oppression from which it had once seemed impossible to escape.

26. Tada! Your essay is complete!

27. Are there any questions??