Writing a Literary Analysis
What Is Literary Analysis?
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It’s literary.
It’s an analysis.
It’s-An Argument!
It may also involve research on and
analysis of secondary sources.
How Is It “Literary”?
• Usually, a literary analysis will involve a
discussion of a text as writing, thus the
term literary, which means “having to do
with letters.”
• This will involve the use of certain
concepts that are very specifically
associated with literature.
Important Literary Concepts
• The Basics
– Plot
– Setting
– Narration/point of
view
– Characterization
– Symbol
– Metaphor
– Genre
– Irony/ambiguity
• Other key concepts
– Historical context
– Social, political,
economic contexts
– Ideology
– Multiple voices
– Various critical
orientations
– Literary theory
What Is an Analysis?
• An analysis of a literary work may
discuss:
– How the various components of an individual
work relate to each other.
– How two separate literary works deal with
similar concepts or forms.
– How concepts and forms in literary works
relate to larger aesthetic, political, social,
economic, or religious contexts.
How is Literary Analysis an
Argument?
• When writing a literary analysis, you will
focus on specific attribute(s) of the text(s).
• When discussing these attributes, you will
want to make sure that you are making a
specific, arguable point (thesis) about
these attributes.
• You will defend this point with reasons
and evidence drawn from the text.
Which is the Best Thesis
Statement?
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Moby-Dick is about the problem of evil.
Moby-Dick is boring and pointless.
Moby-Dick is about a big, white whale.
The use of “whiteness” in Moby-Dick
illustrates the uncertainty about the
meaning of life that Ishmael expresses
throughout the novel.
How Do I Support a Thesis
Statement?
• Examples from the text:
– Direct quotations
– Summaries of scenes
– Paraphrase
• Other critics’ opinions
• Historical and social context
• Always remember to read carefully and
highlight useful passages and quotes.
What is a Secondary Source?
• A book or article that discusses the text
you are discussing
• A book or article that discusses a theory
related to the argument you are making
• A book or article that discusses the social
and historical context of the text you are
discussing
How Do I Find Secondary
Sources?
• MLA International Bibliography
• Dictionary of Literary Biography
• Discipline-specific sources
– Example: America: History and Life for
American literature
• Other search engines
• A bibliography that is part of your text
• Ask your instructor
Integrating Secondary
Sources
• When you use secondary sources, be sure to
show how they relate to your thesis.
• Don’t overuse any one secondary source, or
for that matter, secondary sources in general
• Remember that this is your paper, your
argument—the secondary sources are just
helping you out.
• Never, never, never plagiarize. See the OWL
handout on plagiarism for more information.
Overview of Literary Analysis
• When writing a literary analysis:
– Be familiar with literary terms.
– Analyze specific items.
– Make an a argument.
– Make appropriate use of secondary sources
– Consult instructors and tutors for help when
needed.
The thesis statement
• Without a carefully conceived thesis, an essay has no
chance of success. The following are thesis statements
which would work for a 500-750 word literary analysis
essay:
• Gwendolyn Brooks’s 1960 poem "The Ballad of Rudolph
Reed" demonstrates how the poet uses the conventional
poetic form of the ballad to treat the unconventional poetic
subject of racial intolerance.
• The fate of the main characters in Antigone illustrates the
danger of excessive pride.
• The imagery in Dylan Thomas’s poem "Fern Hill" reveals
the ambiguity of our relationship with nature.
• PLEASE NOTE: THE BEST PLACE TO PUT YOUR
THESIS STATEMENT IS AT THE END OF YOUR
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Is or was? Went or goes?
Use the present tense when you are
discussing and writing about literature -literary works are considered to exist in the
present. At times, you will need the past or
future tense to establish a sequence of
events within a text, but present should be
your point of departure.
On verbs
• The stronger and clearer you can make
your verbs, the more directly you will
communicate information to your
audience.
• Keep these basic guidelines in mind as
you check your verbs:
– Rely on Active Voice
– Convert Weak Nouns to Strong Verbs
– Be Concise
Audience
• Consider the reader for whom you are writing
your essay. Imagine you are writing for other
students in your class who have about as much
education as you do. They have read the
assigned work just as you have, but perhaps
they have not thought about it in exactly the
same way as you. In other words, it is not
necessary to "retell" the work of literature in
any way. Rather it is your role to be the
explainer or interpreter of the work.
Personal pronouns (opinion)
• You are inviting your reader to follow
along with your thesis and the
arguments/support with which you back
up the thesis. Using phrases such as “in
my opinion” or “I think” merely detracts
from your thesis and shifts the focus to
YOU, not the topic at hand. Remain
objective, with a few exceptions.
Exceptions
• Oftentimes, you will want to agree or
disagree with a point made in a novel.
How, without saying “I,” etc.
• Neutral phrases which identify a general
audience and appeal and include the
writer are those such as:
• “seems to indicate…,” “It is evident that,”
“clearly denotes…,” “will prove to be…”
etc.
Writing A Literary Essay
A guide focused on William
Shakespeare’s Macbeth
EXAMPLE OF A LITERARY
ESSAY TOPIC:
“Lady Macbeth is directly responsible for
Duncan’s death. If not for her, Macbeth
would have never committed the murder. ”
Discuss the truth of this statement and what it
reveals about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s
characters in a 2-3 page essay.
STEP ONE:
Think about the topic
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• The topic usually has 2 or more components:
1. THE STATEMENT/QUESTION:
Lady Macbeth is directly responsible for Duncan’s death. If
not for her, Macbeth would have never committed the
murder.
2. INSTRUCTION:
The ‘instruction’ tells you how to approach your essay
“Discuss the truth of this statement and what it reveals about
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters.”
HOW TO QUOTE:
• When quoting, always remember that the quote
should “fit” into the sentence in a flowing
manner.
• Although Macbeth accepts that killing
Duncan is the only way to get the crown, he
is constantly doubtful. After the murder he
says, “I am afraid to think what I have done;
Look on't again I dare not” (II.2). This
demonstrates quite clearly that Macbeth is
overwhelmed by guilt and that Lady
Macbeth is the most important factor in his
decision.
STEP TWO:
STRUCTURE OF A LITERARY
• The basic formatESSAY
of all essays is the same:
1. Introduction – Usually 4-5 lines allowing the
reader a
glimpse of the focus of and direction your
essay has taken.
(The beginning of your literary journey.)
2. Body – Divided into paragraphs, the body allows
you to present relevant information in a logical and
organized manner.
(The different stops you make while on your trip.)
3. Conclusion – Usually 4-7 lines rounding off your
discussion and explaining what the evidence has
revealed in relation to the topic.
(The final destination.)
HOW TO WRITE AN
INTRODUCTION:
• A broad thesis statement introducing the topic and
adding your opinion:
• e.g. There is no question that Macbeth holds the
weapons that killed King Duncan; however, it can be
argued that Lady Macbeth provides the foundation and
is the persistent force that leads to the murder.
• A quote that links to the statement: (If possible)
• e.g. Lady Macbeth hints at her influence over her
husband immediately after she hears of the prophecy:
“Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear”
(I.5), clearly indicating Macbeth will not be able to
continue without her.
FULL TEXT:
INTRODUCTION
There is no question that Macbeth holds the
weapons that kill King Duncan; however, it can
be argued that Lady Macbeth provides the
foundation and is the force that leads to the
murder. Lady Macbeth hints at her influence
over her husband immediately after she hears
of the prophecy: “Hie thee hither, that I may
pour my spirits in thine ear” (I.5), clearly
indicating Macbeth will not continue without
her. The role Lady Macbeth plays in the murder
reveals much about Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth’s characters.
HOW TO STRUCTURE THE
BODY:
• Remember to use transition that link each
paragraph to the next in a smooth
manner.
• Each paragraph must contain ONE idea
ONLY.
• Try as far as possible to write each
paragraph in the order the events
occurred in the play.
• Determine how many paragraphs you
need to devote to defending your thesis
statement (3-4).
PARAGRAPHS:
“THE STATE, QUOTE, COMMENT
TECHNIQUE”
– State: Make a statement relating to topic
• After the darkness created during Act 1, Scene 1 by the three
witches, the praise delivered by the wounded Captain, King
Duncan and Ross throughout Scene 2 creates an image of
Macbeth as an honourable, fearless and loyal leader who is
willing to die defending Scotland. In contrast to the witches,
Macbeth seems perfect.
– Quote: Find a quote to support your statement.
• However, one must also consider the words spoken by the First
Witch during Act 1,Scene 1: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,”
indicating the moral confusion in the world.
– Comment: In your own words, write down your
observation.
• Thus, Macbeth may appear good, but one must realize that he
could well be evil. It would not require much from a skilled
manipulator to set this evil free and push Macbeth to satisfy his
lust for power by killing the King.
FULL TEXT: PARAGRAPH
After the darkness created during Act 1, Scene 1 by
the three witches, the praise delivered by the wounded
Captain, King Duncan and Ross throughout Scene 2
creates an image of Macbeth as an honorable, fearless
and loyal leader who is willing to die defending
Scotland. In contrast to the witches, Macbeth seems
perfect. However, one must also consider the words
spoken by the First Witch during Act 1,Scene 1: “Fair is
foul, and foul is fair,” indicating the moral confusion in
the world. Thus, Macbeth may appear good, but one
must realize that he could well be evil. It would not
require much from a skilled manipulator to set this evil
free and push Macbeth to satisfy his lust for power by
killing the King.
CONCLUSION:
• It answers the "so what?" question.
You have introduced the essay, presented
the evidence…so what?
• The conclusion ends your argument with a
final decision – the meaning of all that you
have written in relation to the topic.
FULL TEXT: CONCLUSION
It is clear that Lady Macbeth feels that her
husband is far too weak to do what is necessary
and take the throne. Her involvement is essential
to get the power they desire. We see this when
she tells Macbeth: “What thou wouldst highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win” (I.5), implying that
Macbeth’s inner goodness would stop him from
getting what he wants. As a result, it is believable
that Macbeth would never have killed Duncan if
Lady Macbeth had not influenced him otherwise.
She may not have physically held the daggers, but
her manipulation of Macbeth makes her just as
guilty as he is.