Literary Analysis
Middle School
Creating Effective Thesis Statements
and Topic Sentences for Literary
Analysis
from Laying the Foundation
January 2011
What is a thesis statement?
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“A thesis statement is a sentence that expresses
the writer’s position on a certain topic. It is
reasonable for the reader of a thesis statement
to assume that it will be supported by
evidence”
How do I write a literary analysis
thesis statement?
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Begin with quotations and details from the text
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As you are reading, highlight or underline important words,
phrases, images , and passages, looking for patterns among
these elements.
Write questions, observations, or inferences you can later
use for discussion or writing.
Use dialectical journals to help select and analyze
important parts of the text.
After you have completed the text, browse through your
annotations and/or dialectical journals. Write
generalizations about the text (thesis statement).
“Literary analysis thesis statement will address both
the means the author uses and the meaning that the
author creates.”
In (title of work) ________________, (the
author) _____________ uses (imagery, details,
dialogue, foreshadowing, personification,
metaphor, etc.) ______________________ to
(reveal, show, explore, portray, convey,
emphasize, suggest) _________________ the
(mood, tone, theme, purpose) ____________.
Examples of literary analysis thesis
statements
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In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses
foreshadowing to suggest that danger or a
perilous situation is near.
In the poem, “Jabberwacky” by Lewis Carroll,
the author uses scary-sounding nonsense
words to create an ominous yet humorous tone.
In Number the Stars, Ellen’s Star of David
necklace symbolizes Annemarie’s devotion to
her friend and her stance against the Germans.
Read the following poem by John Masefield
Sea-Fever
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely
sea and sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her
by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and
the white sail’s shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray
dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of
the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that cannot be
denied,
And all I ask is a windy day with the white
clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blow spume and the
sea gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant
gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the
wind’s like a whetted* knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn* from a laughing
fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the
long trick’s over.
Whetted: sharpened
Yarn: story
Fill in the blanks in the literary analysis thesis statements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses
images connected with _______ to create a
_________ tone.
In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses
sound devices such as ______ to convey the
exhilaration and energy of a windy day at sea.
In the poem “Sea-Fever,” the author’s choice of
adjectives conveys feelings of _____ and ___.
In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield creates a
sense of adventurous freedom by using
_____________________.
Topic Sentences
What is a topic sentence, and how
does it relate to a thesis statement?
A topic sentence explains or introduces one of
the major points that support the writer’s thesis
statement. Each body paragraph in a essay
must contain a topic sentence that connects all
of the information and analysis in that
paragraph to one unified idea, and each topic
sentence must be related directly to the thesis
statement.
Selecting Topic Sentences
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Here is a possible literary analysis thesis
statement for “Sea-Fever” followed by
possible topic sentences for the essay.
Read the thesis statement and then select the
two topic sentences that best relate to the
thesis statement. Find evidence from the poem
that supports your choice.
In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield reveals his complex
attitude toward sailing by using diction, imagery, and
figurative language to convey the lonely but exciting life of a
sailor.
Topic Sentences (choose two):
 The speaker personifies the seas as a powerful
being that demands that the sailor return.
 The poem is divided into three four-line
stanzas.
 The speaker’s description of the solitude of the
sea makes the seaman’s life seem romantic.
 Masefield’s use of alliteration reflects his
desire to return to the sea.
Write an additional topic sentence
that relates to the thesis statement.
Pick one of the following literary analysis thesis statements
for an essay for “Sea-Fever.” Write two possible topic
sentences for the essay.
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In the poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses
figurative language to convey his close
relationship with the sea and his attraction to
the sailing life.
In his poem “Sea-Fever,” John Masefield uses
emotional diction to depict his strong feelings
about the sea.
Read the following writing prompts. Choose one of the
prompts. Now write one thesis statement and at least two
topic sentences that would response appropriately to the
prompt.
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Heroes have special qualities that people
admire. Heroes give us examples of the
courage and strength it takes to face difficult
situations and challenges in life.
Think of someone who is your personal hero.
In a well-developed composition, describe
this person and explain two qualities you
most admire about him or her.
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Write a persuasive essay stating whether the
school day should be lengthened by two hours
so that all students can get help with
homework. Give at least two reasons to
support your position. Remember you must
argue in such a convincing manner that others
will agree with you.
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Thesis Statement:
__________________________________________
__________________________
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Topic Sentence:
______________________________________________
____________________________
Topic Sentence:
______________________________________________
____________________________
Topic Sentence:
______________________________________________
____________________________
Review an essay that you have written. Identify your thesis
statement and the topic sentences in each of your paragraphs
that relate to your position. Use the following outline on a
separate sheet of paper.
Thesis Statement:
___________________________________________
_________________________
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Topic Sentence:
_______________________________________________
___________________________
Topic Sentence:
_______________________________________________
___________________________
Topic Sentence:
_______________________________________________
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