Getting the most points on
your Literary Analysis Paper
Read the Directions Carefully
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You must chose two works by different authors
that have significant similarities as well as
differences.
As part of the assignment, you will quote from
the primary text as well as include research
from outside sources
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a minimum of 3 outside sources is required.
Analysis
• Choose how you are going to analyze the two
works you have chosen
• #1 - choose a specific literary concept we
learned in class [such as romanticism, realism,
or the fantastic]
• #2 – then choose three of the following points:
character, audience, theme, symbolism, and
overall message (are both works saying the
same thing about life or something different?).
Summary versus Analysis
• A summary re-tells a story.
• An analysis examines the cause or effect of an
incident in the story, compares or contrasts 2
characters, explains how an event occurred
etc…
Ex: Mary had a little lamb
• Summary: Mary had a little lamb. It followed her
to school. No lambs were allowed in school. The
children laughed.
• Analysis: one reason Mary may have brought
the lamb to school was to get attention. All the
children “laughed and played”, making Mary
feel at the center and popular.
Summary Page
• 1 page, single space, brief summary of both
works.
* This will be the last page of your Literary Analysis
Paper.
Writing Your Essay
Basic essay parts
• Introduction [lead in, transition sentences, thesis]
• Body Paragraphs [ topic sentences, good
examples, and quotes]
• Conclusion [restates thesis in different words,
summarizes main points, gives your opinion]
Introduction + Title
• Clever Title
• Interesting attention getter
• Transition sentences that announce the two
works
• Thesis Statement + plan of development
Body Paragraphs
• Topic sentence with transition
• Main points supported by quotes from the two
works and outside sources
• Clear illustration how the quote supports your
point
Using quotes in Essay
Using a quote requires 3 sentences
1. Your Idea
2. Quote
3. Explanation how quote supports your idea
Quote Examples
1.Mary appears to have a fetish for lamb wool
2. Dr. Benton states that “ Mary’s proclivity for her
lamb makes her pet it often and bring it with her.”
(Benton 22)
3. Her constant need to touch and stroke her lamb
illustrates Mary’s obsession.
Conclusion
• Restate your thesis in different words
• Tells what you’ve learned by analyzing the two
works
• What did you learn about poetry, short stories
and plays?
Works Cited Page & Summary
• Works Cited - Follow Correct MLA Format
– Write MLA Information as you research!
• Summary page is the last page of your
essay.
Quick Tips for College Essays
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Ask Questions Early
Start Sooner than Later
Research, Then Outline, Then Write
Librarians Can Help
Go to the Writing Center
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