Let’s Talk Literature…
After closely reading...identify the “deeper meaning” of a part of the text and how it
relates to the whole. Start by making a claim; then support it with text evidence.
Finally, analyze and interpret the “deeper meaning”, expressing how/why it matters to
the text as a whole. When writing an essay, repeat the steps below, as needed (in
separate paragraphs), to adequately support your claim. Have fun! It’s like a puzzle!
Helpful Steps:
1.
Provide CONTEXT: Orient your reader. Where are you in the text (page, line(s))? What’s going on
in this section of the text? Be very brief.
2. State your INTERPRETIVE CLAIM:
This is the “deep thing” you want to say...in one sentence.
3. Share the EVIDENCE:
Prove your claim with text support. If you’re doing this work in writing,
include an internal citation. Ex.: (Jones 5).
NOTE: Steps 2 and 3 may be inverted.
4. ANALYZE:
5. O
Express your thinking / reasoning. Explain.
er your INTERPRETATION: Answer questions like… “So What?” “Why does this matter to the
text as a whole?” “What is the overall meaning?”
NOTE: Use an active verb, following a format like this: “This [illustrates / conveys / suggests / etc.]
that _____[interpretation]_________.”