Miss Brummett
English 9 Honors
Literary Analysis Paper
What is literary analysis?
Literary analysis is examining and evaluating a work of literature. As with any close examination, you must
break down the text into smaller parts in order to examine different elements of the text. When you look at the
smaller parts of the text, it will help you understand the text better as a whole. The ultimate goal of analysis is
to break down the text into small parts, examine each part, and then make a bigger conclusion about the
text as a whole.
When analyzing a short story, it might include identifying a major theme in the story. Then, you will show
how the author is able to suggest the theme through the mood of the story, the symbols used through the story,
the attitude and dialogue of the characters, etc.
What will my literary analysis paper look like?
You will be picking between two short stories, “The Sniper” or “Harrison Bergeron,” and will be writing a
literary analysis paper on one of them.
OBJECTIVE:
You will pick one interesting idea that stands out to you from your chosen story and write about it. You
will be writing about ONE focused, central idea or topic. Everything you write will help contribute to your reader’s
understanding of the central idea or interesting novelty you write in your essay.
Example: The battle between good and evil in “Old Man Gone” shows the danger of excessiveness
selfishness.
Your paper will include:



An introductory paragraph
In your introductory paragraph you will introduce your ONE focused, central idea. You will also
introduce your THESIS statement.
Body paragraphs (2-4)
Each body paragraph is used to build support for your thesis. You will do this by using 2-4 literary
elements we covered as supporting evidence. *each literary element should be separated into its
own paragraph (mood, tone, setting, irony, diction, imagery, organization, syntax, POV, theme,
motif, allusion)
A concluding statement
Give your readers a sense of finality to your paper. You will restate your thesis in different words
and likely go over your main points. Do not introduce a new idea or topic. You want to leave your
readers with a sense of conclusion at the end.
Requirements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introductory paragraph (with thesis statement)
Body paragraphs (using 2-4 literary elements to build support for your thesis statement)
Concluding paragraph
MLA citation, with a works cited page
typed, double spaced
Times New Roman font (do not add any other fancy designs please)
Due Date: Roughly two weeks
English 9 Honors
Literary Analysis Paper Component Sheet
What is literary analysis?
The ultimate goal of analysis is to break down the text into small parts, examine each part, and
then make a bigger conclusion about the text as a whole.
Introduction
In your introductory paragraph you will introduce your ONE focused, central idea. You will also introduce
your THESIS statement.
The introduction should try and get the attention of your reader. Open your introduction with a hook: a
quote, a startling statement, a provocative question, an anecdote, or a combination of these. You may also want to
include some background information that is important to your thesis so your reader won’t be confused. Lastly, it
is important to give the title of your short story and state the author’s name.
Thesis Statement
Included in the introduction is the thesis statement. All roads lead to the thesis statement! It is a
declarative statement that gives the purpose of your essay. It is the point you are trying to prove throughout your
entire essay! If you do not write a good thesis statement, your essay stands no real chance 
Your thesis statement is best given at the END of your introductory paragraph.
Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs are used to build support for your thesis statement. First…

Topic sentences: One professor told me, “Every topic sentence you ever write should be able to point back
to your thesis statement!”
-A topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence gives one of your topics
(in this case a literary element) and describes how it is related to your thesis. The topic sentence does two
things:
1) Ties details of the paragraph to the thesis. 2) Ties details of the paragraph together.
Within your body paragraphs you will have summaries, paraphrases, explanations, quotations, and specific
details to support and develop your topic sentence. Each topic sentence will likely be about a literary element (ie:
how mood in “The Yellow Wallpaper” works to support your thesis statement). Then throughout the body
paragraph, you will prove how mood in “The Yellow Wallpaper” works to support your thesis statement.
Conclusion
Your conclusion will want to give your readers a sense of finality. You will want to go over your main
points. Also, it is wise to restate your thesis but in different words. Lastly, help your readers see a “bigger picture.”
This means give them a final farewell and thoughts to think about. Do not introduce a new idea or topic. However,
now that you have broken the text down piece the text back together for your readers and help them see it through
a new, clear lens. Tell them what that lens should now look like after their new, clear understanding of the text you
have given to them!
The Title
The title is an important part of a literary analysis paper. It is important to get your reader’s attention with
your title. Be descriptive, yet allusive in your title. Give hints as to what your thesis may be!
Examples: Fluid Concepts of Loyalty in Shakespeare’s Othello
“The Secret Lion”: It’s Hard to Grow Up
Miss Brummett
English 9 Honors
Checklist for Literary Analysis
____ The paper is more than a summary of the plot
____The writing makes a point relating to the work’s theme, language, character development, style or
significance to the context or broader social issues.
____Each major point is supported by direct reference to the work itself and/or quotations from that work.
____ In addition, the writer may quote other sources that offer commentary on the work or its author
____ The writer’s voice is strong and confident, reflecting familiarity with and understanding of the work at hand
____ The writer may also enrich the analysis by commenting on the author’s craft; e.g./ providing examples of
voice, detail, word choice, fluency, or organizational approach
Example Writing
#1: A Great Book (Literary Analysis, Grade________)
There are many themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Three of the themes that stand out are fairness, justice,
and courage. These themes are widely spread throughout the book. Harper Lee helps explain these themes
through her characters and the way she writes about them.
Fairness is one of the many interesting themes in this great book. The main character Atticus shows the
importance of fairness by the way he tries to treat others. Other characters demonstrate fairness as well.
Attituc shows respect for his community and for Tom Robinson and they respect him as well. This is one of
the main themes throughout the book.
Courage is a very important theme in this book. Jem shows courage in several parts of the book. Atticus
shows courage by defending Tom in the trail.
These three themes of courage, fairness, and justice are important parts of this book just as they are
important to our society.
#2: Writing is Important (Literary Analysis, Grade_______)
Writing is important. It allows you to express your thoughts but also your feelings though writing you
provide entertainment and information which is useful to others. Writing is both useful and enjoyable. It
helps you explore ideas and issues you might not think of otherwise. If you are going to write, you will need
plenty of information.
Writing well means knowing what you are talking about. This takes research and information. If you do
not know enough about your topic, your reader will not be convinced. It also means putting pfeelings into
your paper. No one wants to read something where the writer sounds bored and like they wish they were
doing something else. It can take courage to say what you really think and feel , but it is worth it. You will
get your audiences attention.
Third, keep your writing simple if you want it to be affective. Trying to impress people with big, long
complicated sentences and five dollar words does not work. They might just decide reading your writing is
not worth the time and trouble it takes. So keep it simple if you want to have an audience. The most
important advice of all is to write about what you know about the best. If you are a good auto mechainic for
instance maybe you should write about cars, or if you have a summer job at the veterinarians office, you could
write stories about the animals you treat. If you try to write what you do not know it will be obvious you
could write stories about the animals you treat. If you try to write what you do not know it will be obvious to
your audience and they will not believe in you. Use what you know and use your experiences from everyday
life.
Writing is important in all occupations. Today, it is more true than ever. If you do not believe it just ask
around. Everyone from doctors and dentists to garage mechanics and salesmen have to write as part of their
job. But the most important reason is because writing is a way of sharing the ideas that belong to you. If you
work on your writing skills, it just might help you in way you have not even thought of.
Miss Brummett
English 9 Honors
Literary Analysis Paper Outline
Title_________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction: (#1: Hook:)_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(#2/#3: Background information to your thesis. Title of your short story and author’s name) ________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
(#4: Thesis: declarative statement giving the purpose of your essay) _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph 1 (1st piece of evidence – Literary Element #1____________________)
Topic Sentence (describes how literary element supports your thesis) ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting Details(Including one direct quote):______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________
Body Paragraph 2 (2nd piece of evidence – Literary Element #2____________________)
Topic Sentence (describes how literary element supports your thesis) ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting Details(Including one direct quote):______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________
(optional) Body Paragraph 3 (3rd piece of evidence – Literary Element #4____________________)
Topic Sentence (describes how literary element supports your thesis)____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting Details(Including one direct quote):______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________
(optional) Body Paragraph 4 (4th piece of evidence – Literary Element #4____________________)
Topic Sentence (describes how literary element supports your thesis)____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting Details(Including one direct quote):______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________
Conclusion
#1. Restate Thesis (in other words)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
#2. Restate Main Points (from body paragraphs: aka: topic sentence claims)
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
#3. Bigger Picture / Bigger Idea essay points to
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Miss Brummett
English 9
(Your) Name______________________________
Peer Critique Partner_______________________
Checklist for Literary Analysis
____The paper has an introductory paragraph with a hook
____The paper gives background information to the films, including the director and name of the films
____The paper gives a clear thesis statement located toward the end of the introductory paragraph
____Each body paragraph has a topic sentence about a specific cinematic technique; this topic sentence points back
to the thesis
____Each body paragraph gives specific examples from the film
____The conclusion restates the thesis and main points in different language
____The conclusion gives an insightful statement about why the intended effect is important for audiences to see
____ The paper is more than a summary of the plot
____ The writer’s voice is strong and confident, reflecting familiarity with and understanding of the work at hand
____The paper is in correct MLA format and meets the length requirement
____The paper is free of grammatical errors
Comments
____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Miss Brummett
English 9 Honors
Peer Critique
1. Read your essay quietly to yourself.
2. Look at your graphic organizer. Did you follow the graphic organizer? Do you have an intro (with thesis
statement?) Do you follow the body paragraphs (and include the literary elements)? Do you have a
conclusion? Is your writing long enough? Is your writing developed? Do you have grammar or spelling
errors?
3. Get out the analytical writing checklist. How many checks would you get?
1. Get in groups of 2-3. One group member will read his or her essay aloud.
2. You will answer the same questions as before. Did the group member follow the graphic organizer? Did
the group member have an intro (with thesis statement?) Did the group member follow the body
paragraphs (and include the literary elements)? Did the group member have a conclusion? Is your writing
long enough? Is the group member’s writing developed? Did the group member have grammar or spelling
errors?
3. Get out the analytical writing checklist. How many checks does the group member get?
4. Switch who reads.
Miss Brummett
English 9 Honors
MLA Citation Review
MLA formatting guidelines:
Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose,
MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are recognizable one from
another. The font size should be 12 pt.
Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise instructed by your instructor).
Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the Tab key
as opposed to pushing the Space Bar five times.
Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top
and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page.
Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)
Use italics throughout your essay for the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, providing
emphasis.
If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section
Notes (centered, unformatted).
(Purdue OWL)
MLA citations
In Text Citiatio: Always put the author’s last name then the page number: (Smith 245)
Your Works Cited page though should look like this:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of
Publication.
Smith, Susy. How I become Awesome. Indianapolis: Penguin, 2010. Print.
Good source for citation help* citationmachine.net