Literary Analysis
Analysis is the practice of looking closely at small parts to see how they affect the
whole. Literary analysis focuses on how plot/structure, character, setting, and
many other techniques are used by the author to create meaning. Always be sure
to discuss the significance of your observations to the main idea about life (the
theme). Literary analysis is
For example...
• If my response had to do with making choices
in The Giver the following quote could be
used:
“We really have to protect people from wrong
choices” (Lowry 99).
Do
• Integrate evidence (the quote you have
selected) into your own sentence. The
evidence must be incorporated!
• There are three ways to do this:
1) He says/she says
2) The colon method
3) Using a little piece of the quote
Do Not…….
•
Do not simply use a quote as one sentence in your response. A quote cannot
stand alone.
Sdfksjdlfkjsldkfjlsdkfjlsfjsldfjlsfjdl. “We really have to protect people from wrong
choices” (Lowry 99). Sflskdjlskdfls kdfjlskdfjlskfjs ldfkjsldfksldf.
•
Do not begin or end your paragraph with a quote. Following a quote, there must
ALWAYS be an explanation/analysis.
Sdfjlsdkfjlsdfkjsldfkjsldfjsldfkjslfkjslfjsldfjsldfkjsldkfjsldkfj
Sdkfjhsdkfjhsdkfhskdfjhskdfhskdfjhskdfjhskdjfhskdfjhsk]
Skdfjhskdfjhskdfhskfhskskdjfhksdjf. “We really have to protect
people from wrong choices” (Lowry 99).
When you integrate a quote use this
acronym: ICE
• I = Introduce the quote. Do not just write the
quote without explaining to the reader why it is
being included. Provide a brief context and how
it relates to the thesis/topic.
• C = After the quote include the CITATION.
Indicate the author/page # of the quote.
• E = EXPLAIN the quote. This is the analysis part.
This section is YOUR VOICE and THOUGHTS!!!
Write about why you selected this evidence.
Integrating Quote Support
• Because you are explaining certain aspects of
the text, it is essential to identify EVIDENCE
that caused you to think a certain way.
• Evidence, in literary analysis can come from
QUOTE SUPPORT. This means you must find
certain sections of the text and include them
in your response to support your ideas.
He says/She says.
• When realizing the concept of choice, after
speaking to the Giver about his ability to see
beyond, and see color, he also considers the
danger of choice when he says, “Or what if
…they were allowed to choose their own
jobs?” (Lowry 98). After this scene, Jonas
laughs at the “absurdity” of the thought,
which shows that he has not fully decided
whether making choices is worth the risk of
making wrong choices.
The Colon Method
When Jonas realizes his ability to see beyond, he
thinks about how nice it would be to make
choices regarding the color of things: “I want to
wake up in the morning and decide things! A
blue tunic, or a red one?” (Lowry 97). In this
example Jonas begins to consider the possibility
of choice and how life might become more
interesting in Sameness.
Just a little piece…
After the Giver and Jonas speak about the
possiblity of making wrong choices, Jonas
concludes that it is “much safer” (Lowry 99) for
the people of Sameness to not have the ability
to choose for themselves. Jonas realizes, as
Receiver, it is his job to “protect people from the
wrong choices” (Lowry 99). As Jonas learns more
about the reality of Sameness, however, his
perceptions begin to change.
Finally……TRANSITIONS
• You must fully transition between your ideas.
There is nothing more confusing to a reader
than seeing a bunch of random quotes placed
into a response with explanation as to why.
• CONNECT your ideas so that the readers
understands your thinking!@!!!!