It starts with a concept: Growing up stinks
In Billy Collin’s poem “On Turning 10”, the poet
uses the juxtaposition of childhood and
preadoloscenence [WHAT] to illustrate that
childhood is an idyllic time in life compared to
the bleak reality of becoming an adolescent. [so
what].
1.
What – What claim are you making about
the text?
2.
Why should we care? Why is the claim
important?
This is the “so what” part.
CLAIM + WHY = Literary Thesis
1.
Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” is a
great American novel.
Is this a good thesis?
Where is the WHAT and the WHY?
It can discuss how
individual components
of a novel relate to
each other (such as
symbols)
It may analyze how
concepts relate to
larger political, social,
economic or religious
concepts.
1.
2.
3.
What is the theme?
What is the claim you are
making about the
theme?
Why does it matter?
Examples from text
Direct quotations
Summaries of scenes
Paraphrasing
Other critics’ opinions
Historical or social
context
You are like a lawyer
presenting your case as to why
this claim is important.
Use evidence to support your
reasons.
Make sure your points relate
back to your thesis statement.
This is your guiding light.
In “Huckleberry Finn”, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life
on the river and life on the shore.
In “Huckleberry Finn”, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
What is the concept?
The power of the written
word
1. Glove essay
2. Letter to Phoebe 3. “The Catcher in
demonstrates love
the Rye” poem
for Allie
-
-
The fact that
Holden writes the
descriptive essay
about Allie’s mitt
expresses his
fondness for his
brother.
The description of
green ink and
hand-written
poems are happy
memories.
-
-
The letter asking
Phoebe to come
to the Museum
during lunch is a
turning point.
This is where he
shows true
maturity and sets
out to protect
Phoebe from hurt
as he says
goodbye.
-
-
The poem that is
misinterpreted by
Holden brings out
his need to protect
children from
cruelty in the world.
When asked by
Phoebe what he
wants to do, he
says to save
children.