CRITICAL LITERARY ANALYSIS TIPS
Read story once for enjoyment
Read it a second time – look for outstanding aspects: setting, irony,
characters, conflict, etc.
Choose one aspect
Scan the story marking parts related to your choice
Write a thesis statement
Use your thesis to create an outline with your major points (arguments)
Intro should have at least title and author and thesis statement
At least three more paragraphs arguing or proving your thesis
Use quotes, references, details to support (even secondary sources)
Concluding paragraph should restate thesis in different words & recap main
points
Put the paper aside and relax for a while – at least a few minutes
Revise: Look to make sure your arguments & details support your thesis – are
the details relevant – do you have enough – are arguments in a logical order –
do you have a strong conclusion - look at organization, structure, word usage,
punctuation, spelling
Reminders:
Your audience already knows the story – do NOT retell the plot. You should be
arguing your points – not chatting with the reader. Don’t be afraid to go out on a
limb with your interpretations, but make sure they are realistic.
Write in the present tense. Consider the author and characters alive.