9th English: To Kill a Mockingbird
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LITERARY ANALYSIS ESSAY OUTLINE
Your essay will be four or five paragraphs – an introduction, two or three body
paragraphs, and a conclusion. This template takes you through the different parts of the
essay step by step.
THE INTRODUCTION
Your introduction will be at least three sentences long. Remember, it follows this pattern:
Sentence #1 This is a theme statement commenting on an aspect of life or human
behavior that is seen in the novel. It is an attempt to “hook” the reader.
Sentence #2 This is a second statement explaining more about your theme, leading
into the story, but not naming it yet. This may take more than one sentence.
Sentence #3 This is the thesis statement, naming the title and author and stating a
specific opinion about your theme. This may take more than one sentence.
DIRECTIONS: After deciding on your theme, write your introduction below. Make sure
it follows the pattern described above. Important reminders: keep the ideas clear and
focused; read your writing out loud to catch awkward, unnatural, or confusing sentences;
keep your introduction free of any specific examples or scenes in the story; avoid “you”
constructions or a lecturing tone; avoid repeating the same words and phrases more than
once; and write about events in literature using present tense!
YOUR INTRODUCTION:
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THE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH
Here is the typical format for a body paragraph. The topic sentence states an opinion you’ll
analyze in the paragraph. It should match your thesis statement. One of your facts must be a
direct quote from the story (embedded in a sentence – showing the context – and
cited/punctuated correctly. Use the guide you got in class). The other may be a direct quote or a
fact you’ve paraphrased. Each fact needs to be followed by analysis of it, an interpretation of
how that fact supports the opinion in the topic sentence. Keep your thesis in mind!
Topic Sentence ________________________________________________________________
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First Fact (Either a direct quote or a paraphrased fact)__________________________________
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Analysis (These sentences should explain how the fact above proves the opinion in the topic sentence.)
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Analysis (More comments or interpretations about the first fact – stay focused on your thesis!)
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Second Fact (If your first was a quote, you may write a paraphrased fact)
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Analysis (These sentences should explain how the 2nd fact proves the opinion in the topic sentence.)
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Analysis (More comments or interpretations about the second fact – remember your thesis, too!)
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Concluding Sentence (Sums up points in a general way, restates topic in new words, may hint at next topic)
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THE SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH
Again, here is the typical format for a body paragraph. The topic sentence states an opinion that
matches your thesis statement, and ideally, it is tied in with the previous topic to create a natural
flow of ideas. This is what using transitional phrases is all about. One of your facts must be a
direct quote from the story (embedded in a sentence – showing the context – and cited and
punctuated correctly. Use the guide you got in class). Each fact needs to be followed by
analysis or interpretation of how that fact supports the opinion in the topic sentence.
Topic Sentence ________________________________________________________________
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First Fact (Either a direct quote or a paraphrased fact)__________________________________
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Analysis (These sentences should explain how the fact above proves the opinion in the topic sentence.)
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Analysis (More comments or interpretations about the first fact – stay focused on your thesis!)
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Second Fact (If your first was a quote, you may write a paraphrased fact)
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Analysis (These sentences should explain how the 2nd fact proves the opinion in the topic sentence.)
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Analysis (More comments or interpretations about the second fact – remember your thesis, too!)
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Concluding Sentence (Sums up points in a general way, restates topic in new words, may hint at next topic)
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THE THIRD BODY PARAGRAPH
Again, here is the typical format for a body paragraph. The topic sentence should state an
opinion matching the idea in your thesis statement, and ideally, tie it in with the previous topics
to create a natural flow of ideas. One of your facts must be a direct quote from the book
(embedded in a sentence – showing the context – and cited and punctuated correctly. Use the
guide you got in class). Each fact needs to be followed by analysis or interpretation of how
that fact supports the opinion in the topic sentence.
Topic Sentence ________________________________________________________________
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First Fact (Either a direct quote or a paraphrased fact)__________________________________
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Analysis (These sentences should explain how the fact above proves the opinion in the topic sentence.)
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Analysis (More comments or interpretations about the first fact – stay focused on your thesis!)
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Second Fact (If your first was a quote, you may write a paraphrased fact)
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Analysis (These sentences should explain how the 2nd fact proves the opinion in the topic sentence.)
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Analysis (More comments or interpretations about the second fact – remember your thesis, too!)
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Concluding Sentence (Sums up points in a general way and restates topic in new words)
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CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
This paragraph is a little bit like a backward introduction. It follows a pattern, like this:
Sentence #1 The thesis statement, without the author, is repeated using new words. You want
to remind the reader of your main point without sounding repetitive.
Sentence #2 This is one or two statements summarizing the events discussed in your paper in
a general way. (This may take more sentences to sound natural, but avoid going
into too much detail or you’ll sound repetitive.)
Sentence #3 Your overall theme statement is emphasized in a new way. Again, you need to do
your best to reword the theme so that it doesn’t sound repetitive.
Sentence #4 Write a final sentence (or two) taking your ideas to a higher level. Make
statements or raise questions about how your issue relates to us as people. What
does it say about society’s values or our future fate? Where are we headed? Make
an educated assumption about what it all really means.
DIRECTIONS: Now, write your four+ sentence conclusion to your essay. Look back at your
introduction. Remember, the format above is a basic guide to follow, but you can add more
sentences to your own conclusion if needed.
YOUR CONCLUSION:
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