1. E.A. 3.3 – Things Fall Apart Literary Analysis
January, 2013

2. Prompt
Write a literary analysis of Things Fall Apart in which you examine a character’s response to the cultural collision caused by the introduction of Western ideas into Ibo culture.
In your essay, analyze
how the collision challenges the character’s sense of identity.
how the character’s response to the collision helps move along the plot.

3. Introduction
Clear topic - deconstruct the prompt
Understanding what you are writing about is vital to writing a good introduction and essay.

4. Introduction - Organization
Sentence #1: Hook plus TAG (title, author, genre)
Sentences #2,3,4,etc.: Background information of ideas, characters, etc., depending on the prompt.
Last sentence: Thesis statement
DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE PLOT!!

5. Working thesis – first step in pre-write.
Thesis Statement
Working thesis – first step in pre-write.
What you will prove in answer to the prompt.
More than one point to prove
But can be generalized.

6. Introduction – first sentence
In Things Fall Apart, a novel by Chinua Achebe, an African village loses its cultural identity as first missionaries, then government representatives invade their land.

7. Sample Thesis Thesis: Sentence before thesis:
Hardy utilizes literary devices to intensify his portrayal of the main characters as destined to fail.
Thesis:
Through foreshadowing, he creates a sense of futility, loneliness, and gloom surrounding both Tess and....

8. Hook
Something interesting about the work
(fact, quote, startling information)
Relevant to the topic / prompt

9. Introduction continued
Working thesis
Your response to the prompt
Last sentence of introduction paragraph

10. Background - Bridge to Thesis
Make clear what it is you are analyzing in the essay.
Explain a bit about this aspect so that the reader is clear about what is being analyzed.
If your topic is about character(s), introduce the character and his or her role in the work.
DO NOT START ANALYZING IN THE INTRODUCTION!!!!

11. Transitions in your Introduction
Use transitions throughout the introduction.
(use your handout)
Because there are so many things that have to be included, the introduction can end up a clump of sentences stuck together.
Make sure that it makes sense on its own as a paragraph.

12. Body Paragraphs Start the paragraph with a topic sentence.
Next, what is your major point?
Use a quote that shows the major point.
(The quote should be embedded in the sentence with your own words.”
Explain in 2 sentences how that quote displays your major point.
What is your next major point?
Conclusive statement.