How to Write a
Literary Analysis
-The Miracle Worker
By Lily Chen
What a Literary Analysis
is…and is not
• A Literary Analysis is not a simple story
summary; it goes beyond a summary.
• A good literary analysis essay will include
retelling of the essential parts of a story.
• It explains piece by piece the big events and
smaller details using the literary terminology.
Thesis Statement Included
• Tells the reader how you will interpret the
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•
•
•
significance of the subject matter under
discussion.
Is a road map (what to expect).
Directly answers the question asked of you.
Makes a claim that others might dispute.
Is usually a single sentence somewhere in your
first paragraph that presents your argument to
the reader.
Source: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
The Miracle Worker Theme Analysis
Chose from:
• Theme A: Pity can interfere with the
discipline that learning requires.
or
• Theme B: Communication is
extremely important in human
relationships.
Sample Thesis Statement:
• Pity can be detrimental in the process of
disciplinary learning because discipline is
an essential part of learning right from
wrong.
-- Kevin from period 6
• Communication is crucial in every
relationship; without it, the partnership
will slowly fall apart.
-- Samer from period 4
Essay Tips
Never write the following statements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
“In this essay I will…”
“I will first describe…and then I will…”
“When I think about …”
“You will read about…”
No personal opinions
In a literary analysis avoiding “I” and “you” is
most effective
Paragraph 1 Sample Structure
a. Opener/Grabber-- Grab the reader’s attention with
the first line. You can do this with an action, a
deep thought or question, a vivid description, or a
dialogue.
b. Orient Reader—in 1-3 sentences, identify the title,
author, and subject of the movie/book. Don’t
summarize the whole movie/book in detail. Write
just enough as if to assume the reader knows
nothing yet about the movie/book.
c. Thesis—Your interpretation of the theme/subject.
Sources cited: www.drake.marin.k12.ca.us/litanalysis
Paragraph 1 Sample
• “A once in a lifetime vacation” may describe an exotic far
away destination, traveling extensively, and exploring
the unfamiliar. The short story “Zoo”, written by Edward
Hoch, gives the reader a surprising twist on a vacation
through character points of view. The irony at the end
makes the reader think twice about the elusive Professor
Hugo’s actions and motives. In “Zoo”, Hoch is making a
point about accepting and exploring the unknown in a
light-hearted, humorous tone.
Can You Identify?
• Which sentence was the thesis?
• Which sentences described the story?
• Which sentence was the opener?
• (1)“A once in a lifetime vacation” may describe an exotic far
away destination, traveling extensively, and exploring the
unfamiliar. (2)The short story “Zoo”, written by Edward
Hoch, gives the reader a surprising twist on a vacation
through character points of view. (3)The irony at the end
makes the reader think twice about the elusive Professor
Hugo’s actions and motives. (4) In “Zoo”, Hoch is making a
point about accepting and exploring the unknown in a lighthearted, humorous tone.
Question 4
•
(4) In “Zoo”, Hoch is making a point about accepting
and exploring the unknown in a light-hearted,
humorous tone.
This sentence is the:
A. Opener/Grabber
B. Story description
C. Thesis
Question 5
• (2)The short story “Zoo”, written by Edward Hoch, gives
the reader a surprising twist on a vacation through
character points of view. (3)The irony at the end makes
the reader think twice about the elusive Professor Hugo’s
actions and motives.
These sentences are the:
A. Opener/Grabber
B. Story description
C. Thesis
Question 6
•
(1)“A once in a lifetime vacation” may describe an
exotic far away destination, traveling extensively, and
exploring the unfamiliar.
This sentence is the:
A. Opener/Grabber
B. Story description
C. Thesis
Supporting Paragraphs (Part II)
Must include:
A. Evidence/events- 1 event per paragraph*
B. What happened
C. Quotes
D. Additional relevant information
E. Connection back to the thesis
*Introducing a new event means introducing a
new paragraph
Supporting paragraph sample
Each
summer,
Professor
Hugo
brings
his
Interplanetary Zoo to cities all around Earth. For a mere
dollar, humans can catch a glimpse of “three-legged
creatures from Venus, or tall, thin men from Mars, or
even snake-like horrors from somewhere distant.”
Earthlings seem both horrified and overjoyed at the sight
of the barred cages, which contain the “little known
horse-spider people of Kaan.” Hoch’s writing in the third
person point of view allows the reader to know how the
human characters are thinking and feeling. It is obvious
that the people of Earth are more than thrilled to accept
the unknown species.
Supporting Paragraph Break Down
Each
summer,
Professor
Hugo
brings
his
Interplanetary Zoo to cities all around Earth.
(Evidence/Event) For a mere dollar, humans can catch a
glimpse of “three-legged creatures from Venus, or tall,
thin men from Mars, or even snake-like horrors from
somewhere distant.” Earthlings seem both horrified and
overjoyed at the sight of the barred cages, which contain
the “little known horse-spider people of Kaan.” (What
happened with story quotes). Hoch’s writing in the third
person point of view allows the reader to know how the
human characters are thinking and feeling. (Adds
additional info) It is obvious that the people of Earth are
more than thrilled to accept the unknown species.
(Connects back to thesis)
Supporting Paragraph 2 Sample
“Zoo’s” setting changes two months later to the jagged
rocks of Kaan where the horse-spider inhabitants
anxiously return home. The point of view has also
changed to reflect the thoughts and feelings of these
creatures, who admitted they enjoyed the trip. A
moment of suspense arises when the “she-creature”
asks the “he-creature” if they felt any danger on the
journey, especially “on a place called Earth.” The ironic
reply shocked the reader when the “he-creature” stated,
“There are bars to protect us from them.” Like the
Earthlings, the horse-spider people of Kaan were eager
to explore the unknown world.
Supporting Paragraph Break Down
Your Turn
“Zoo’s” setting changes two months later to the
jagged rocks of Kaan where the horse-spider inhabitants
anxiously return home. (
) The point of view has
also changed to reflect the thoughts and feelings of
these creatures, who admitted they enjoyed the trip.
(
) A moment of suspense arises when the “shecreature” asks the “he-creature” if they felt any danger
on the journey, especially “on a place called Earth.” The
ironic reply shocked the reader when the “he-creature”
stated, “There are bars to protect us from them.” (
)
Like the Earthlings, the horse-spider people of Kaan
were eager to explore the unknown world. (
)
Were You Correct?
“Zoo’s” setting changes two months later to the jagged
rocks of Kaan where the horse-spider inhabitants
anxiously return home. (Evidence/Event) The point
of view has also changed to reflect the thoughts and
feelings of these creatures, who admitted they enjoyed
the trip. (Additional relevant info) A moment of
suspense arises when the “she-creature” asks the “hecreature” if they felt any danger on the journey,
especially “on a place called Earth.” The ironic reply
shocked the reader when the “he-creature” stated,
“There are bars to protect us from them.” (What
happened w/quotes) Like the Earthlings, the horsespider people of Kaan were eager to explore the
unknown world. (Connect to thesis)
3rd Sample Supporting Paragraph
While Professor Hugo is portrayed as a cheerful, friendly
character, the reader learns that he might also be
viewed as a sneaky businessman. ( ) The reader may
come to this conclusion upon the horse-spider’s
statement, “It is well worth the nineteen commocs it
costs.” It is apparent that Professor Hugo charges
humans to view the horse-spider creatures, and the
professor charges the horse-spider creatures to go on an
interplanetary vacation.( ) The additional irony to the
story enhances the resolution to the plot.( ) Professor
Hugo not only explores and accepts the unknown, he
also exploits each species. ( )
Time to Write Your Supporting
Paragraphs
Must include:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Evidence/events- 1 event per paragraph*
What happened
Quotes
Additional relevant information
Connection back to the thesis
*Introducing a new event means introducing a
new paragraph
Sources cited: www.drake.marin.k12.ca.us/litanalysis
Concluding Paragraph (Part III)
A. Restate title of story and mention of
author’s name
B. Description of what the reader gains
from story
C. How thesis and theme transcends the
entire essay
D. Any additional, relevant statement to
enhance and conclude the essay
Concluding Paragraph Sample
Reading a short story like “Zoo” may
seem like a quick way to pass a few
minutes. By breaking down the story and
analyzing piece by piece, the reader gains
a greater appreciation for Hoch’s simple
two-page piece. Perhaps the author
himself was seeking a way to reach the
unknown.
Concluding Paragraph Breakdown
Reading a short story like “Zoo” may seem like
a quick way to pass a few minutes. (Story
name) By breaking down the story and
analyzing piece by piece, the reader gains a
greater appreciation for Hoch’s simple two-page
piece. (Author’s name, what reader gains)
Perhaps the author himself was seeking a way
to reach the unknown. (final connection to
thesis)
Ready to Write Your Literary
Analysis?
A checklist and grading rubric will be posted
under RESOURCE tab in echalk!
In-class writing Monday through Wednesday
Wednesday will be a proficiency test on
Organization
Final Literary Analysis typed and
submitted Wed. 8/25