1. How to avoid the headaches!
Literary Essays
How to avoid the headaches!

2. What IS a Literary Essay?
It is a discussion or analysis of a certain piece of literature.
It evaluates some specific details of the piece of literature.
It is NOT a summary of the plot!

3. Important rules to remember
The literary essay is written in response to a given statement or question.
Your response should be structured as a logical and persuasive argument.
Marks are given for content and style.
You must draw conclusions, make evaluations and offer opinions.
The style is formal and is written in the present tense and in the third person.
Make use of references and quotes to give credibility to your essay.

4. Writing the Literary Essay
Always make use of planning for this!
A table format works well as it already structures your essay.
Intro
Title and author
Thesis Statement
BP 1
Point 1 / Argument 1:
Topic + support + textual evidence + analysis/commentary + transition
BP 2
Point 2 / Argument 2:
BP 3
Point 3 / Argument 3:
Conclusion
Restate TS + reference to 3 points + link

5. Explain what the quote shows
Thesis statement: is the main idea of the essay.
Topic sentence: states the claim or argument of the paragraph.
Supporting sentence: will refer to the specific part of the text being discussed in the paragraph.
Textual evidence: makes use of a quote or paraphrasing.
Analysis and commentary: elaborate on the quote/paraphrasing to validate why you chose it. Show how the evidence supports the claim.
Transitional sentence: carries the reader’s thoughts from one scene to another, or from one topic to another.
Make a point
Use a quote
Explain what the quote shows

6. A step-by-step approach
Read the topic carefully and underline key features.
Jot down all ideas in response to this topic.
Organise these points – group similar ideas together to form body paragraphs. Order paragraphs in a logical sequence. Cross out whatever is not used.
Link points to the topic by examining how each point is relevant to the topic. Make use of evidence from the literary work.
Write an introductory paragraph.
Write a conclusion.
Write your essay and remember to check for grammar and logical order of paragraphs.
These two steps may be switched!