1. Literary Analysis

2. General Information MLA Format Times New Roman, 12 pt. Font
Double Spaced
3-5 Pages (approx. 1,050 – 1,600 words)
To be passed in with the annotated poem which it is about
Due date: Tuesday, March 3rd

3. General Information
A literary analysis is about taking the poem apart to see how individual parts and pieces contribute to the theme
You are looking closely at the structure, organization, and meaning behind the poem
Your paper should be focused on the theme of the poem and what contributes to an understanding
How is meaning created by the use of structure, character, setting, and/or other techniques?

4. Thesis
Thesis statement: a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence

5. Thesis
Look back to your annotations if you’re stuck. Are there any patterns? Does anything stand out?
Your essay should be organized so that every part contributes something to the reader’s understanding of the central idea.
Refer to the literary elements you will use in your argument

6. Sample Thesis
In the poem “ “, written by ______________, the speaker presents two conflicting views of war; he presents how society is saddened by the war, yet the speaker’s tone suggest that he is grateful for the war. The speaker’s use of symbolism, juxtaposition, and oxymoron portray his happiness of war.

7. Sample Thesis
In the poem “ “, written by ______________, the speaker presents a poem that represents the individual’s conflicting psychological thoughts in a postmodern world regarding love. The speaker’s free verse, broken rhyme scheme, and hyphen use reflect her own inner conflicts in a postmodern world regarding love.

8. Sample Thesis
In the poem “ “, written by ______________,Although the speaker has a great wife, he conveys a bitter message about marriage. The speaker’s use of dark metaphor, anaphora, and antithesis allow him to reveal his deepest and darkest thoughts about the social institution of marriage.

9. Thesis
In the previous examples, each thesis statement states the overall argument and lists about three devices that will prove or support the argument
These devices will be discussed in the body of the essay in order to support the argument
In our case, it will show how the theme of the poem is constructed

10. Introduction Catch your readers attention!
Your introduction should state the name of the poem and poet
It should also give a brief description of the poem
Your thesis statement will be included in the introduction
After reading your introduction, readers should know what direction your paper is going to take

11. Development of Argument
Linear: in order
In this approach you would be going through the poem as it is presented
Example: if there is a reoccurring symbol and you want to trace how it changes and develops from the beginning to the end
Non-Linear: out of order
The poem is examined out of order. You may use support from the beginning of the poem, link it to the end, then go back to discuss the middle
Either is fine, but make sure it is organized, your argument is clear, and you can relate it back to your thesis

12. Paragraphs
Each paragraph should consist of a point which is credible, relates to and supports your thesis, and is analytical
Focus your ideas
Remember to always use evidence!
Topic sentences are a great idea because they tell the reader the focus of your argument
Example: Repetition is the conscious and decisive replication of words or phrases.

13. Evidence
You need to you evidence from the poem to back up what you are saying
Quotes
However, this is an analysis so it is not enough to just quote
You also need to analyse the quote and describe, in your own words, how the quote supports the claim you are making
Consider the context of the quote (where it is located in the poem)
Is the quote part of a pattern?

14. Citation Short Quote: “Roses are red / Violets are blue” (1-2)
The slash mark / indicates where a line ends
You do not need to write the poet’s name because your essay is focused on that 1 poem.
Longer than 3 Lines:
In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:
The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. (1-4)

15. Conclusion
Sum up the main points you want the reader to take away from your paper
Offer your interpretation of the poem, which by now should be convincing to the reader since you have presented your evidence in the body of the paper
Your conclusion should flow naturally and fit with the development of your essay, not be a separate piece