Writing Review
Writing a Literary Analysis
What is a Literary Analysis?
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Makes an argument
Is not a summary
Deals with interpretation
Supported by evidence
Writing Process
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Brainstorm
Rough Draft
Editing and Revising
Final Manuscript
Helpful Hints
• Assume your readers have read the
literature
• Do not summarize the plot, reference it
Helpful Hints
• It is proper to use the present tense when
writing about literature
Incorrect:
Holden wore his red hunting hat as a means of
protection.
Correct:
Holden wears his red hunting hat as a means of
protection.
Helpful Hints
• The first time you mention an author, use
his or her full name
• J.D. Salinger
– Then just Salinger
Helpful Hints
• Avoid writing in the first person
• The use of the first person shifts the
reader’s focus towards you and away
from your argument/ statement
Helpful Hints
• Avoid ambiguous pronoun references
This explains the logic behind
Holden’s actions.
Make sure the reader knows what this
references—A word? A sentence? A
fact? An idea?
Helpful Hints
• Give your paper a title
• A title gives your reader a clue as to what
the paper will be about
• Avoid restating the name of the
assignment (i.e. Literary Analysis)
• Avoid restating the name of the particular
piece of literature (i.e. The Catcher in the
Rye)
Helpful Hints
• Avoid the use of contractions in formal
writing
– Don’t
• Do not
• Do not use slang
• Use formal verb/word choices
– No: get, got, really
Creating a thesis statement:
• Expresses the main idea of the paper in a
complete sentence
• Written in one-two sentences
• Does not state I will… this essay is… In
the following you will read…
• Should have a confident tone
• Does not express and opinion; it states a
fact
Thesis Statement
• Holden’s decline into depression is caused by
his isolation from family, friends, and his
teachers.
– Thesis statement indicates this paper will explain how
Holden’s isolation from his family, friends, and teachers
contributed to his mental breakdown.
• Holden’s isolation and eventual decline into
depression is attributed to many factors.
– States that the paper will also be about Holden’s
isolation but it does not directly state directly what will be
discussed- this is OK! You do not have to state the three
main ideas for your body paragraphs if the thesis is clear,
strong and developed.
Topic Sentence
• States the focus of the paragraph
• Formula: A limited topic + a specific impression= topic
sentence
– Holden’s isolation from his family directly affects his
descent into depression.
– Furthermore, Holden isolates himself from his friends, which
contributes to his mental instability.
– In addition to his self-isolation from his family and friends,
there are many other loved ones Holden isolates himself
from, resulting in his mental decline.
• Transitions for body paragraph 2 and all subsequent paragraphs
Introduction
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Background information
Question
Quote
Definition
Story
End with a clear and focused thesis
statement
Body Paragraph
• Topic sentence
• 3 supports for each body paragraph
– 1 major, 2 minor
– Each support is discussed and related to topic
of paragraph as well as the thesis statement
– The major and first minor support should
include quotes to support.
Body Paragraph Formula
• Topic Sentence
– Introduce support #1
• Quotes with citation
– Explain and relate to topic sentence and thesis
– Introduce support #2
• Quotes with citation
– Explain and relate to topic sentence and thesis
– Introduce support #3
– Explain and relate to topic sentence and thesis
Furthermore, Holden’s desperate need for
companionship results in alienation and selfisolation. Holden is constantly isolating himself from
others his own age. Promptly before exiting Pency
Prep, Holden stands alone on top of the hill
overlooking the rest of the student body at the
football game, “Anyway, I kept standing next to that
crazy cannon, looking down at the game and
freezing my ass off. Only, I wasn’t watching the
game too much. What I was really hanging around
for, I was trying to feel some kind of good-by“
(Salinger 4). Despite Holden having relationships
at school, he still isolates himself from activities that
would put him in close proximity with others his own
age. This indicates that he purposely isolates
himself from social situations and interactions
contributing to his feelings of alienation and
isolation.
Moreover, after leaving Pency Prep, Holden continues
to alienate himself when he refuses the company of
Faith Cavendish. Holden has the confidence to call a
random stranger in hopes of a companion for
communication and interaction; however, when faced
with actually meeting her, he is quick to decline and
make excuses, “ ‘I can’t make it tomorrow,’ I said.
‘Tonight’s the only time I can make it.’ What a dope I
was. I shouldn’t have said that…Boy, I really fouled
that up. I should’ve at least made it for cocktails or
something“ (Salinger 78-79). Holden’s inability to
make a date with Faith continues to shows his lack of
self- confidence and despair when trying to connect
with others. Even though Holden does not choose the
appropriate people to make connections with, these
random people indicate his overwhelming desire for
companionship.
Holden seeks companionship once again with
Sally Hayes. Not only is Holden unable to
focus on his feelings for Sally, he also lacks
the ability to form a conversation and
appropriate interaction with her, thus driving
her away. Holden desperately wants to be
with Sally, but his erratic, frantic ramblings
coupled with his ignorant and sarcastic
remarks force Holden to be alone once again.
The more Holden desperately searches for
interaction, the more he pushes himself into
isolation, creating additional depression and
despair.
Conclusion
• Restate the thesis
• Reiterate main ideas
• No new information
Using Quotes for Support
• Quotes should be incorporated in body
paragraphs as support- NOT to re-tell the
story.
• Quotes should directly support the topic of
the paragraph
• The quote should directly relate to the main
idea of the paragraph as well as the thesis.
• Use correct parenthetical citations for all
quotes
Quotes
• “I just didn’t want to hand around any more. It
made me too sad and lonesome,” (Salinger 51).
NO p.51
- NO pg. 51
- NO (Holden 51).
• Quote within a quote:“ ‘you’re going to have to
find out where you want to go,’ ” (Salinger 188).
Romito 5
Works Cited
Last name of author, first name. Title.
Place of publication: publisher, copyright.
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alphabetical order
double space
same margins and header
Second and all subsequent lines indent