6th-8th
middle school
STUDENT REFERENCE BOOKLET
S
REFERENCE
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
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Literary analysis writing unit
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Analysis Reference notebook
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
6th-8th
middle school
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1N8AUi_NYXG2k-YhLnXvf5TQ-x04VkAjomg8uJVdG0eA/copy?usp=sharing
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Makes an argument or reaches a conclusion.
Chooses specific elements or areas to focus on or to dig
deeper into (i.e., theme, author’s craft, tone, etc.)
Examines and interprets an element or each element.
Discusses why each element is important or significant.
Discusses how each element connects to other pieces.
Might discuss effectiveness or ineffectiveness.
Might address counterclaims.
Goes beyond the text and beyond what is right in front of you.
An interpretation or a ”point” one is trying to prove.
Analysis goes beyond plot summary to explore a theory
a reader has.
summary
The facts that are available to anyone who has read
the text are summary.
Identifies the main point(s).
Identifies what is stated.
No arguments or conclusion is presented.
Summary vs.
Analysis
analysis
summarizing Vs. Analyzing
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
An introduction names the title and author,
summarizes the text, and names your claim.
Thesis statement
States the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control
the ideas within the paper. It often reflects a judgment that a
writer has made about a reading or personal experience.
claim
Claims are matters of opinion, but they are stated as if they are
facts and backed up with evidence throughout the entire essay.
A focus on a literary element and/or device
Literary devices are typical structures used by writers in their
works to convey their messages in a simple manner to readers.
Summary to preface analysis
A summary condenses and restates the context of a text. It
gives “just the facts.” An analysis breaks a text into smaller
pieces in order to examine each piece.
Analysis
Analysis is detailed examination of the elements
or structure of something.
Relevant text evidence
Citing textual evidence requires students to look back into the text for
evidence to make a claim, to think more deeply about the text, analyze
the author, and find strong evidence to support their ideas.
Counter claims
By acknowledge the valid points the other side of the argument or
alternative interpretations (counterclaim) you show that you have
considered all points and have a more effective argument.
A strong conclusion
A strong conclusion might restate the claim in a different way,
leave readers with something to think about, suggest a further way
of thinking, or show how the claim of the essay connects to life.
Literary
nine
A Strong Introduction
analysis
two
one
Literary analysis elements
annotating literature
Helps the reader focus on what they are
reading.
Helps the readers understand the details of
a text.
Helps the reader note and keep track of
important details.
Helps the reader prepare for discussions.
Helps the reader to prepare to write about a
text, specifically an analytical text.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
annotating
literature
Helps the reader understand the details of a
text.
When should I annotate?
When I am confused.
When I find strong text evidence.
When I don’t know what a word means.
When I make a connection to another piece of writing.
When I notice a key detail.
When something is important to remember.
When I am surprised by something I read.
When I want to remember something.
When I see patterns or repetition in the text.
When I want to question something.
When I want to summarize.
When I want to rephrase something in my own words.
When I notice that a prediction I made came true.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
annotating
literature
When I want to jot down an idea that the text gave me.
Theme statements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acceptance
Adoption
Ambition
Apathy
Art
Beauty
Betrayal
Birth
Bravery
Change
Communication
Cooperation
Courage
Creativity
Cultures
Death
Discovery
Divorce
Dreams
Equality
Fairness
Faith
Family
Friendship
Good vs. Evil
Greed
Growing Up
Happiness
Hate
Honesty
Hope
Immortality
Independence
Judgment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Loneliness
Love
Moving
Music
Nature
Peace
Peer Pressure
Perseverance
Power
Pride
Progress
Religion
Rumors
Running away
Sacrifice
School Life
Science
Self-Discovery
Self-Esteem
Sharing
Siblings
Suffering
Survival
Teamwork
Temptation
Trust
War
Wealth
Wisdom
Youth
©Martina Cahill – the hungry teacher
Themes in
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literature
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Human beings are
always searching for
acceptance.
Adoption is beautiful,
but not free from
struggles.
Bravery comes in
many forms.
Change is hard.
Human being are
courageous when
they are called upon
to have courage.
Family is important.
Family is important, but
it is okay to have
boundaries.
Don’t judge a book by
its cover.
Greed can ruin your
life.
Kindness is one of the
most important things
we can give to others.
Love is blind.
With great power,
comes great
responsibility.
Wisdom comes from
learning through life
experiences.
Perseverance pays off
in the end.
Only the strong survive.
Life isn’t always fair.
We should remember
where we came from.
Theme topics in literature
Author’s craft one
Author’s craft
Definition
Purpose
Metaphor
Comparing two things
that are not alike to
suggest they have
something in common.
To describe through
comparison.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration that
can’t possibly be true.
To emphasize the magnitude
of something through
exaggerated comparison.
Personification
Giving something
unhuman, actual human
qualities.
To bring things to life.
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of
speech that makes a
reference to a place,
person, or event.
Straightforward: device to
enhance a text by providing
further meaning; More
complex sense: to make an
ironic comment on one thing.
Alliteration
The repetition of
beginning consonant
sounds in two or more
neighboring words or
syllables.
Sounds pleasing; to get the
attention of readers; to signify
that the alliterative words are
linked together, and it puts a
spotlight on the subject.
Assonance
Repetition of the sound
of a vowel stressed
syllables Ex: She seems
to beam rays of sunshine
with her green eyes.
To create rhythm within a
description.
An attitude of a writer
toward a subject or an
audience.
Affects how the reader
perceives the writer's
intentions.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to
represent ideas or
qualities.
To add emotion; kind of a
secret language between
the reader and author.
Imagery or
Visually descriptive or
figurative language.
Appeals to the five senses:
sight, sound, smell, touch,
taste; gets the reader to feel
like they are there with you.
Tone
sensory details
Author’s
To describe through
comparison.
Craft one
Compares two unlike
things using “like” or
“as.”
Simile
Definition
Purpose
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time earlier
than the main story.
To help readers better
understand present-day
elements in the story or learn
more about a character.
Flashforward
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time later than
the main story.
To reveal significant parts of
the story that have not yet
occurred, but soon will in
greater detail.
Cliffhanger
A component of a story
ends unresolved.
To compel audiences to turn
the page or return to the story
in the next installment.
Foreshadowing
An indication or hint of
what is to come later in
the story.
Create suspense, feeling of
unease, a sense of curiosity,
or a mark that things may not
be as they seem.
suspense
An uneasy feeling that
a reader gets when
they don't know what is
going to happen next.
Heighten tension during a
dramatic scene. Conceal
answers they don’t want to
give away. Build up to a twist.
Style
The way authors express
their ideas. It's how they
say something, not
what they say.
Styles in writing are created
deliberately by the author to
convey a specific mood or
effect.
Text
structure
The way authors
organize the text:
chapters, sections,
sentences, diary, etc.
focuses attention on key
concepts and relationships,
anticipate what is to come.
Character
dialogue
Communication
between two
characters— spoken
out loud; denoted by
quotation marks.
Helps reveal character traits,
reveals relationships, can
show tension between
characters, and should move
the story along.
A genre is a book or
story category defined
by style, content, and
form.
The specific genre can helps
tell the story accurately as
well as sets the reader up for
the text’s purpose.
The narrator’s position in
the story.
The author uses point of view
as a very intentional as part of
their craft.
Flashback
genre
Point of
view
Author’s
Author’s craft
Craft two
Author’s craft two
symbolism
color
meaning
SYMBOL
MEANING
Elegance, power,
mystery, evil,
death, depressed
Hope, objective, dreams,
letting go
white
Innocence, safety,
illumination, pure,
perfect
Immortality, birth, protection,
strength, innocence
red
Romance,
leadership, death,
danger, blood
Pressure, time, overwhelm,
death, mortality, end
orange
Abundance,
warmth, success,
caution
Warmth, new, life, overcoming
obstacles, fresh start, clarity,
positivity
yellow
Joy, happiness,
warmth, positivity,
intelligence
Growth, new seasons, hope,
renewal, revival, hope
blue
Loyalty,
confidence,
stability, wisdom,
justice
Consumption, warmth, wisdom,
knowledge, life, death,
destruction, rebirth,
resurrection, passion
green
Nature, life, safety,
jealousy, envy
Death, darkness, evil,
misfortunate
purple
Luxury, royalty,
abundance,
ambition, mystery
Wisdom, maturity, death,
shapeshifting, knowledge
brown
Warmth,
foundation, earth,
wholesome,
security, dirty
Rebirth, determination,
unhappiness, cleansing,
calmness, growth, rebirth
grey
Conservative, lack
of emotion, grace,
technology,
depression
Victory, valor, skill
pink
Love, romance,
feminine
Power, transformation, change
symbolism
black
GOOD examples
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is usually
a one-sentence claim you
are making about a topic
or text. Usually the last
sentence of your
introduction.
It tells the reader what your
essay will be about and
directs them to your main
pieces of evidence.
In Amy Tan’s, “Fish Cheeks,” the author
uses figurative language to emphasize
how we should be proud of where we
come from.
NOT SO GOOD examples
1 TOO GENERAL OR BROAD: The author
uses his craft to reveal several themes.
2 ASKING A QUESTION: Are sensory
details good author’s craft?
3 CLICHÉ: The best gift is one you
can’t buy.
4 ANNOUNCEMENT: “In this paper I will…”
Questions to answer to develop a thesis statement:
What is your topic or text?
What is your stance or claim?
What is your rationale for this stance?
What counterclaim or opposing view will
you acknowledge to justify your stance?
Thesis formula:
”Show” synonyms: reveal,
emphasize, suggest,
highlight, create, reject
)
The author uses(________)to show (_______.
text evidence:
literary devices,
tone, craft, etc..
Thesis
It describes ways in which
you will support and
develop your claim.
2
In O. Henry’s, ”The Gift of the Magi,” he
uses the literary device of irony to reveal
that giving is better than receiving.
statements
It tells your opinion on the
topic and what you’re
going to prove in the essay.
1
your analysis
EXAMPLE: Ray Bradbury uses particular word choice and sensory
details to reveal the theme that jealousy can turn into pain leading
us to hate and criticize the object of our envy.
Thesis formula with counterclaim:
Acknowledge counterclaim + stance + rationale
EXAMPLE: Although some readers might argue that Ray Bradbury’s,
“All Summer in a Day,” uses the sun as a symbol for hope, it is clear
by the children’s actions and the lessons learned that the sun is a
symbol of the pain and jealousy that exists in the short story.
Linking words in English
Linking words are used to link together ideas in your text. They help the
reader follow your argument by showing the relationships between different
sentences or sections. These are some words you can use to link your text
evidence to analysis or to link your two texts to each other.
EMPHASIS
ADDITION
CONTRAST
ORDER
• Unlike
• First/Firstly
• Indeed
• In addition
• Nevertheless
• Second/
Secondly
• Obviously
• Also
• On the other
hand
• Third/Thirdly
• Particularly
• As well as
• One might
argue…
• Finally
• In particular
• Moreover
• In contrast to..
• At this time
• Importantly
• Not only
• Whereas
• Following
• It should be
noted
• Apart from
this
• However
• Previously
• Clearly
• Finally
• Alternatively
• Before
• Evidently
• Then
• Whereas
• Subsequently
• For this reason
• Again
• In spite of
• Additionally
• For example
• In other
words
• For this reason
• Consequently
• Such as
• In the same
way
• To put it
differently
• At times
linking
• Additionally
And transition words
• Undoubtedly
Body paragraph transition words and starters
Some words and phrases to help you start your body paragraphs in a way
that transitions nicely from paragraph to paragraph throughout the essay.
In the…
Another way…
Alternatively, in the…
Another way…
Both stories...
Early in the text…
From the beginning…
Throughout the…
The authors use of…
There are multiple…
Both texts…
Author’s
name
(_____)’s style of…
14
editing revising
Capitalization
q Proper nouns
q Paper headings
q Sentence beginnings
q Essay title
Usage/grammar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vs.
Add or remove
q Add sentences or words to make
your essay better
q Remove sentences or words to
make your essay better
Move or substitute
q Subject-verb agreement
q Change a word and/or sentence or
q Fragments and run on
placement to make your writing
sentences
more clear or concise
q Sentences have proper length q If a word has been used too many
q Verb tense consistency
times, then work to come up with
q Subject-verb agreement
substitutes for that word.
Punctuation
q Every sentence ends with a
punctuation mark
q Textual evidence is
correctly punctuated with
quotation marks.
spelling
Correctly indented paragraphs
Correctly formatted heading
Correctly formatted title
Dialogue correctly formatted
Correct spacing
Correct font type and size
Editing vs.
q
q
q
q
q
q
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
formatting
q Cited textual evidence that most
strongly supported analysis of
what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text
q Drew evidence from texts to
support analysis, reflection, and
research.
q Contains strong analysis of literary
element or device: theme,
author’s craft, etc.
q Introduced claim(s).
q Acknowledged and distinguished
from alternate or opposing claims.
q Organized the reasons and
evidence logically.
q Supported claim(s) with clear
reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources and
demonstrating an understanding
of the topic or text.
q Used words, phrases, and clauses
to clarify the relationships among
claim(s) counterclaims, reasons,
and evidence.
revising
q Checked by peer
q Checked using spell check
in typed document
q All spelling and grammar
suggestions checked in
typed essay
q Checked for commonly
confused words (their,
there, it’s, its, etc.)
Literary analysis elements
MLA formatting
Essay heading aligned to the left
Last name and page number
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student name
Teacher name
Course number
date
Title centered
and same font
as rest of
essay
Double spaced
throughout
the entire
essay
Author’s last
name and page
number, after
the quotation
marks and inside
parenthesis
when citing
evidence.
MLA
1-inch margins
formatting
Times New Roman Font, Size 12
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
Analysis Reference notebook
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
Makes an argument or reaches a conclusion.
Chooses specific elements or areas to focus on or to dig
deeper into (i.e., theme, author’s craft, tone, etc.)
Examines and interprets an element or each element.
Discusses why each element is important or significant.
Discusses how each element connects to other pieces.
Might discuss effectiveness or ineffectiveness.
Might address counterclaims.
Goes beyond the text and beyond what is right in front of you.
An interpretation or a ”point” one is trying to prove.
Analysis goes beyond plot summary to explore a theory
a reader has.
summary
The facts that are available to anyone who has read
the text are summary.
Identifies the main point(s).
Identifies what is stated.
No arguments or conclusion is presented.
Summary vs.
Analysis
analysis
summarizing Vs. Analyzing
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
An introduction names the title and author,
summarizes the text, and names your claim.
Thesis statement
States the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control
the ideas within the paper. It often reflects a judgment that a
writer has made about a reading or personal experience.
claim
Claims are matters of opinion, but they are stated as if they are
facts and backed up with evidence throughout the entire essay.
A focus on a literary element and/or device
Literary devices are typical structures used by writers in their
works to convey their messages in a simple manner to readers.
Summary to preface analysis
A summary condenses and restates the context of a text. It
gives “just the facts.” An analysis breaks a text into smaller
pieces in order to examine each piece.
Analysis
Analysis is detailed examination of the elements
or structure of something.
Relevant text evidence
Citing textual evidence requires students to look back into the text for
evidence to make a claim, to think more deeply about the text, analyze
the author, and find strong evidence to support their ideas.
Counter claims
By acknowledge the valid points the other side of the argument or
alternative interpretations (counterclaim) you show that you have
considered all points and have a more effective argument.
A strong conclusion
A strong conclusion might restate the claim in a different way,
leave readers with something to think about, suggest a further way
of thinking, or show how the claim of the essay connects to life.
Literary
nine
A Strong Introduction
analysis
two
one
Literary analysis elements
annotating literature
Helps the reader focus on what they are
reading.
Helps the reader understand the details of
a text.
Helps the reader note and keep track of
important details.
Helps the reader prepare for discussions.
Helps the reader to prepare to write about a
text, specifically an analytical text.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
annotating
literature
Helps the reader keep track of their thoughts
and feelings.
When should I annotate?
When I am confused.
When I find strong text evidence.
When I don’t know what a word means.
When I make a connection to another piece of writing.
When I notice a key detail.
When something is important to remember.
When I am surprised by something I read.
When I want to remember something.
When I see patterns or repetition in the text.
When I want to question something.
When I want to summarize.
When I want to rephrase something in my own words.
When I notice that a prediction I made came true.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
annotating
literature
When I want to jot down an idea that the text gave me.
Theme statements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acceptance
Adoption
Ambition
Apathy
Art
Beauty
Betrayal
Birth
Bravery
Change
Communication
Cooperation
Courage
Creativity
Cultures
Death
Discovery
Divorce
Dreams
Equality
Fairness
Faith
Family
Friendship
Good vs. Evil
Greed
Growing Up
Happiness
Hate
Honesty
Hope
Immortality
Independence
Judgment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Loneliness
Love
Moving
Music
Nature
Peace
Peer Pressure
Perseverance
Power
Pride
Progress
Religion
Rumors
Running away
Sacrifice
School Life
Science
Self-Discovery
Self-Esteem
Sharing
Siblings
Suffering
Survival
Teamwork
Temptation
Trust
War
Wealth
Wisdom
Youth
©Martina Cahill – the hungry teacher
Themes in
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
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•
literature
•
•
Human beings are
always searching for
acceptance.
Adoption is beautiful,
but not free from
struggles.
Bravery comes in
many forms.
Change is hard.
Human being are
courageous when
they are called upon
to have courage.
Family is important.
Family is important, but
it is okay to have
boundaries.
Don’t judge a book by
its cover.
Greed can ruin your
life.
Kindness is one of the
most important things
we can give to others.
Love is blind.
With great power,
comes great
responsibility.
Wisdom comes from
learning through life
experiences.
Perseverance pays off
in the end.
Only the strong survive.
Life isn’t always fair.
We should remember
where we came from.
Theme topics in literature
Author’s craft one
Author’s craft
Definition
Purpose
Metaphor
Comparing two things
that are not alike to
suggest they have
something in common.
To describe through
comparison.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration that
can’t possibly be true.
To emphasize the magnitude
of something through
exaggerated comparison.
Personification
Giving something
unhuman, actual human
qualities.
To bring things to life.
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of
speech that makes a
reference to a place,
person, or event.
Straightforward: device to
enhance a text by providing
further meaning; More
complex sense: to make an
ironic comment on one thing.
Alliteration
The repetition of
beginning consonant
sounds in two or more
neighboring words or
syllables.
Sounds pleasing; to get the
attention of readers; to signify
that the alliterative words are
linked together, and it puts a
spotlight on the subject.
Assonance
Repetition of the sound
of a vowel stressed
syllables Ex: She seems
to beam rays of sunshine
with her green eyes.
To create rhythm within a
description.
An attitude of a writer
toward a subject or an
audience.
Affects how the reader
perceives the writer's
intentions.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to
represent ideas or
qualities.
To add emotion; kind of a
secret language between
the reader and author.
Imagery or
Visually descriptive or
figurative language.
Appeals to the five senses:
sight, sound, smell, touch,
taste; gets the reader to feel
like they are there with you.
Tone
sensory details
Author’s
To describe through
comparison.
Craft one
Compares two unlike
things using “like” or
“as.”
Simile
Definition
Purpose
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time earlier
than the main story.
To help readers better
understand present-day
elements in the story or learn
more about a character.
Flashforward
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time later than
the main story.
To reveal significant parts of
the story that have not yet
occurred, but soon will in
greater detail.
Cliffhanger
A component of a story
ends unresolved.
To compel audiences to turn
the page or return to the story
in the next installment.
Foreshadowing
An indication or hint of
what is to come later in
the story.
Create suspense, feeling of
unease, a sense of curiosity,
or a mark that things may not
be as they seem.
suspense
An uneasy feeling that
a reader gets when
they don't know what is
going to happen next.
Heighten tension during a
dramatic scene. Conceal
answers they don’t want to
give away. Build up to a twist.
Style
The way authors express
their ideas. It's how they
say something, not
what they say.
Styles in writing are created
deliberately by the author to
convey a specific mood or
effect.
Text
structure
The way authors
organize the text:
chapters, sections,
sentences, diary, etc.
focuses attention on key
concepts and relationships,
anticipate what is to come.
Character
dialogue
Communication
between two
characters— spoken
out loud; denoted by
quotation marks.
Helps reveal character traits,
reveals relationships, can
show tension between
characters, and should move
the story along.
A genre is a book or
story category defined
by style, content, and
form.
The specific genre can helps
tell the story accurately as
well as sets the reader up for
the text’s purpose.
The narrator’s position in
the story.
The author uses point of view
as a very intentional as part of
their craft.
Flashback
genre
Point of
view
Author’s
Author’s craft
Craft two
Author’s craft two
symbolism
color
meaning
SYMBOL
MEANING
Elegance, power,
mystery, evil,
death, depressed
Hope, objective, dreams,
letting go
white
Innocence, safety,
illumination, pure,
perfect
Immortality, birth, protection,
strength, innocence
red
Romance,
leadership, death,
danger, blood
Pressure, time, overwhelm,
death, mortality, end
orange
Abundance,
warmth, success,
caution
Warmth, new, life, overcoming
obstacles, fresh start, clarity,
positivity
yellow
Joy, happiness,
warmth, positivity,
intelligence
Growth, new seasons, hope,
renewal, revival, hope
blue
Loyalty,
confidence,
stability, wisdom,
justice
Consumption, warmth, wisdom,
knowledge, life, death,
destruction, rebirth,
resurrection, passion
green
Nature, life, safety,
jealousy, envy
Death, darkness, evil,
misfortunate
purple
Luxury, royalty,
abundance,
ambition, mystery
Wisdom, maturity, death,
shapeshifting, knowledge
brown
Warmth,
foundation, earth,
wholesome,
security, dirty
Rebirth, determination,
unhappiness, cleansing,
calmness, growth, rebirth
grey
Conservative, lack
of emotion, grace,
technology,
depression
Victory, valor, skill
pink
Love, romance,
feminine
Power, transformation, change
symbolism
black
GOOD examples
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is usually
a one-sentence claim you
are making about a topic
or text. Usually the last
sentence of your
introduction.
It tells the reader what your
essay will be about and
directs them to your main
pieces of evidence.
In Amy Tan’s, “Fish Cheeks,” the author
uses figurative language to emphasize
how we should be proud of where we
come from.
NOT SO GOOD examples
1 TOO GENERAL OR BROAD: The author
uses his craft to reveal several themes.
2 ASKING A QUESTION: Are sensory
details good author’s craft?
3 CLICHÉ: The best gift is one you can’t
buy.
4 ANNOUNCEMENT: “In this paper I will…”
Questions to answer to develop a thesis statement:
What is your topic or text?
What is your stance or claim?
What is your rationale for this stance?
What counterclaim or opposing view will
you acknowledge to justify your stance?
Thesis formula:
”Show” synonyms: reveal,
emphasize, suggest,
highlight, create, reject
)
The author uses(________)to show (_______.
text evidence:
literary devices,
tone, craft, etc..
Thesis
It describes ways in which
you will support and
develop your claim.
2
In O. Henry’s, ”The Gift of the Magi,” he
uses the literary device of irony to reveal
that giving is better than receiving.
statements
It tells your opinion on the
topic and what you’re
going to prove in the essay.
1
your analysis
EXAMPLE: Ray Bradbury uses particular word choice and sensory
details to reveal the theme that jealousy can turn into pain leading
us to hate and criticize the object of our envy.
Thesis formula with counterclaim:
Acknowledge counterclaim + stance + rationale
EXAMPLE: Although some readers might argue that Ray Bradbury’s,
“All Summer in a Day,” uses the sun as a symbol for hope, it is clear
by the children’s actions and the lessons learned that the sun is a
symbol of the pain and jealousy that exists in the short story.
Linking words in English
Linking words are used to link together ideas in your text. They help the
reader follow your argument by showing the relationships between different
sentences or sections. These are some words you can use to link your text
evidence to analysis or to link your two texts to each other.
EMPHASIS
ADDITION
CONTRAST
ORDER
• Unlike
• First/Firstly
• Indeed
• In addition
• Nevertheless
• Second/
Secondly
• Obviously
• Also
• On the other
hand
• Third/Thirdly
• Particularly
• As well as
• One might
argue…
• Finally
• In particular
• Moreover
• In contrast to..
• At this time
• Importantly
• Not only
• Whereas
• Following
• It should be
noted
• Apart from
this
• However
• Previously
• Clearly
• Finally
• Alternatively
• Before
• Evidently
• Then
• Whereas
• Subsequently
• For this reason
• Again
• In spite of
• Additionally
• For example
• In other
words
• For this reason
• Consequently
• Such as
• In the same
way
• To put it
differently
• At times
linking
• Additionally
And transition words
• Undoubtedly
Body paragraph transition words and starters
Some words and phrases to help you start your body paragraphs in a way
that transitions nicely from paragraph to paragraph throughout the essay.
In the…
Another way…
Alternatively, in the…
Another way…
Both stories...
Early in the text…
From the beginning…
Throughout the…
The authors use of…
There are multiple…
Both texts…
Author’s
name
(_____)’s style of…
27
editing revising
Capitalization
q Proper nouns
q Paper headings
q Sentence beginnings
q Essay title
Usage/grammar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vs.
Add or remove
q Add sentences or words to make
your essay better
q Remove sentences or words to
make your essay better
Move or substitute
q Subject-verb agreement
q Change a word and/or sentence or
q Fragments and run on
placement to make your writing
sentences
more clear or concise
q Sentences have proper length q If a word has been used too many
q Verb tense consistency
times, then work to come up with
q Subject-verb agreement
substitutes for that word.
Punctuation
q Every sentence ends with a
punctuation mark
q Textual evidence is
correctly punctuated with
quotation marks.
spelling
Correctly indented paragraphs
Correctly formatted heading
Correctly formatted title
Dialogue correctly formatted
Correct spacing
Correct font type and size
Editing vs.
q
q
q
q
q
q
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
formatting
q Cited textual evidence that most
strongly supported analysis of
what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text
q Drew evidence from texts to
support analysis, reflection, and
research.
q Contains strong analysis of literary
element or device: theme,
author’s craft, etc.
q Introduced claim(s).
q Acknowledged and distinguished
from alternate or opposing claims.
q Organized the reasons and
evidence logically.
q Supported claim(s) with clear
reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources and
demonstrating an understanding
of the topic or text.
q Used words, phrases, and clauses
to clarify the relationships among
claim(s) counterclaims, reasons,
and evidence.
revising
q Checked by peer
q Checked using spell check
in typed document
q All spelling and grammar
suggestions checked in
typed essay
q Checked for commonly
confused words (their,
there, it’s, its, etc.)
Literary analysis elements
MLA formatting
Essay heading aligned to the left
Last name and page number
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student name
Teacher name
Course number
date
Title centered
and same font
as rest of
essay
Double spaced
throughout
the entire
essay
Author’s last
name and page
number, after
the quotation
marks and inside
parenthesis
when citing
evidence.
MLA
1-inch margins
formatting
Times New Roman Font, Size 12
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
Analysis Reference notebook
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
NO TABS OPTION
summarizing Vs. Analyzing
Analysis
Makes an argument or reaches a conclusion.
Chooses specific elements or areas to focus on or to dig
deeper into (i.e., theme, author’s craft, tone, etc.)
Examines and interprets an element or each element.
Discusses why each element is important or significant.
Discusses how each element connects to other pieces.
Might discuss effectiveness or ineffectiveness.
Might address counterclaims.
Goes beyond the text and beyond what is right in front of you.
An interpretation or a ”point” one is trying to prove.
Analysis goes beyond plot summary to explore a theory
a reader has.
summary
The facts that are available to anyone who has read
the text are summary.
Identifies the main point(s).
Identifies what is stated.
No arguments or conclusion is presented.
nine
eight
seven
six
five
four
three
two
one
Literary analysis elements
A Strong Introduction
An introduction names the title and author,
summarizes the text, and names your claim.
Thesis statement
States the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control
the ideas within the paper. It often reflects a judgment that a
writer has made about a reading or personal experience.
claim
Claims are matters of opinion, but they are stated as if they are
facts and backed up with evidence throughout the entire essay.
A focus on a literary element and/or device
Literary devices are typical structures used by writers in their
works to convey their messages in a simple manner to readers.
Summary to preface analysis
A summary condenses and restates the context of a text. It
gives “just the facts.” An analysis breaks a text into smaller
pieces in order to examine each piece.
Analysis
Analysis is detailed examination of the elements
or structure of something.
Relevant text evidence
Citing textual evidence requires students to look back into the text for
evidence to make a claim, to think more deeply about the text, analyze
the author, and find strong evidence to support their ideas.
Counter claims
By acknowledge the valid points the other side of the argument or
alternative interpretations (counterclaim) you show that you have
considered all points and have a more effective argument.
A strong conclusion
A strong conclusion might restate the claim in a different way,
leave readers with something to think about, suggest a further way
of thinking, or show how the claim of the essay connects to life.
annotating literature
Helps the reader focus on what they are
reading.
Helps the reader understand the details of
a text.
Helps the reader keep track of their thoughts
and feelings.
Helps the reader note and keep track of
important details.
Helps the reader prepare for discussions.
Helps the reader to prepare to write about a
text, specifically an analytical text.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
When should I annotate?
When I am confused.
When I find strong text evidence.
When I don’t know what a word means.
When I make a connection to another piece of writing.
When I notice a key detail.
When something is important to remember.
When I am surprised by something I read.
When I want to remember something.
When I see patterns or repetition in the text.
When I want to jot down an idea that the text gave me.
When I want to question something.
When I want to summarize.
When I want to rephrase something in my own words.
When I notice that a prediction I made came true.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
Theme statements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Human beings are
always searching for
acceptance.
Adoption is beautiful,
but not free from
struggles.
Bravery comes in
many forms.
Change is hard.
Human being are
courageous when
they are called upon
to have courage.
Family is important.
Family is important, but
it is okay to have
boundaries.
Don’t judge a book by
its cover.
Greed can ruin your
life.
Kindness is one of the
most important things
we can give to others.
Love is blind.
With great power,
comes great
responsibility.
Wisdom comes from
learning through life
experiences.
Perseverance pays off
in the end.
Only the strong survive.
Life isn’t always fair.
We should remember
where we came from.
Theme topics in literature
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acceptance
Adoption
Ambition
Apathy
Art
Beauty
Betrayal
Birth
Bravery
Change
Communication
Cooperation
Courage
Creativity
Cultures
Death
Discovery
Divorce
Dreams
Equality
Fairness
Faith
Family
Friendship
Good vs. Evil
Greed
Growing Up
Happiness
Hate
Honesty
Hope
Immortality
Independence
Judgment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Loneliness
Love
Moving
Music
Nature
Peace
Peer Pressure
Perseverance
Power
Pride
Progress
Religion
Rumors
Running away
Sacrifice
School Life
Science
Self-Discovery
Self-Esteem
Sharing
Siblings
Suffering
Survival
Teamwork
Temptation
Trust
War
Wealth
Wisdom
Youth
©Martina Cahill – the hungry teacher
Author’s craft one
Author’s craft
Definition
Purpose
Compares two unlike
things using “like” or
“as.”
To describe through
comparison.
Metaphor
Comparing two things
that are not alike to
suggest they have
something in common.
To describe through
comparison.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration that
can’t possibly be true.
To emphasize the magnitude
of something through
exaggerated comparison.
Personification
Giving something
unhuman, actual human
qualities.
To bring things to life.
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of
speech that makes a
reference to a place,
person, or event.
Straightforward: device to
enhance a text by providing
further meaning; More
complex sense: to make an
ironic comment on one thing.
Alliteration
The repetition of
beginning consonant
sounds in two or more
neighboring words or
syllables.
Sounds pleasing; to get the
attention of readers; to signify
that the alliterative words are
linked together, and it puts a
spotlight on the subject.
Assonance
Repetition of the sound
of a vowel stressed
syllables Ex: She seems
to beam rays of sunshine
with her green eyes.
To create rhythm within a
description.
An attitude of a writer
toward a subject or an
audience.
Affects how the reader
perceives the writer's
intentions.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to
represent ideas or
qualities.
To add emotion; kind of a
secret language between
the reader and author.
Imagery or
Visually descriptive or
figurative language.
Appeals to the five senses:
sight, sound, smell, touch,
taste; gets the reader to feel
like they are there with you.
Simile
Tone
sensory details
Author’s craft two
Author’s craft
Definition
Purpose
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time earlier
than the main story.
To help readers better
understand present-day
elements in the story or learn
more about a character.
Flashforward
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time later than
the main story.
To reveal significant parts of
the story that have not yet
occurred, but soon will in
greater detail.
Cliffhanger
A component of a story
ends unresolved.
To compel audiences to turn
the page or return to the story
in the next installment.
Foreshadowing
An indication or hint of
what is to come later in
the story.
Create suspense, feeling of
unease, a sense of curiosity,
or a mark that things may not
be as they seem.
suspense
An uneasy feeling that
a reader gets when
they don't know what is
going to happen next.
Heighten tension during a
dramatic scene. Conceal
answers they don’t want to
give away. Build up to a twist.
Style
The way authors express
their ideas. It's how they
say something, not
what they say.
Styles in writing are created
deliberately by the author to
convey a specific mood or
effect.
Text
structure
The way authors
organize the text:
chapters, sections,
sentences, diary, etc.
focuses attention on key
concepts and relationships,
anticipate what is to come.
Character
dialogue
Communication
between two
characters— spoken
out loud; denoted by
quotation marks.
Helps reveal character traits,
reveals relationships, can
show tension between
characters, and should move
the story along.
A genre is a book or
story category defined
by style, content, and
form.
The specific genre can helps
tell the story accurately as
well as sets the reader up for
the text’s purpose.
The narrator’s position in
the story.
The author uses point of view
as a very intentional as part of
their craft.
Flashback
genre
Point of
view
symbolism
color
meaning
SYMBOL
MEANING
black
Elegance, power,
mystery, evil,
death, depressed
Hope, objective, dreams,
letting go
white
Innocence, safety,
illumination, pure,
perfect
Immortality, birth, protection,
strength, innocence
red
Romance,
leadership, death,
danger, blood
Pressure, time, overwhelm,
death, mortality, end
orange
Abundance,
warmth, success,
caution
Warmth, new, life, overcoming
obstacles, fresh start, clarity,
positivity
yellow
Joy, happiness,
warmth, positivity,
intelligence
Growth, new seasons, hope,
renewal, revival, hope
blue
Loyalty,
confidence,
stability, wisdom,
justice
Consumption, warmth, wisdom,
knowledge, life, death,
destruction, rebirth,
resurrection, passion
green
Nature, life, safety,
jealousy, envy
Death, darkness, evil,
misfortunate
purple
Luxury, royalty,
abundance,
ambition, mystery
Wisdom, maturity, death,
shapeshifting, knowledge
brown
Warmth,
foundation, earth,
wholesome,
security, dirty
Rebirth, determination,
unhappiness, cleansing,
calmness, growth, rebirth
grey
Conservative, lack
of emotion, grace,
technology,
depression
Victory, valor, skill
pink
Love, romance,
feminine
Power, transformation, change
GOOD examples
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is usually
a one-sentence claim you
are making about a topic
or text. Usually the last
sentence of your
introduction.
It tells the reader what your
essay will be about and
directs them to your main
pieces of evidence.
It tells your opinion on the
topic and what you’re
going to prove in the essay.
It describes ways in which
you will support and
develop your claim.
1
2
In O. Henry’s, ”The Gift of the Magi,” he
uses the literary device of irony to reveal
that giving is better than receiving.
In Amy Tan’s, “Fish Cheeks,” the author
uses figurative language to emphasize
how we should be proud of where we
come from.
NOT SO GOOD examples
1 TOO GENERAL OR BROAD: The author
uses his craft to reveal several themes.
2 ASKING A QUESTION: Are sensory
details good author’s craft?
3 CLICHÉ: The best gift is one you can’t
buy.
4 ANNOUNCEMENT: “In this paper I will…”
Questions to answer to develop a thesis statement:
What is your topic or text?
What is your stance or claim?
What is your rationale for this stance?
What counterclaim or opposing view will
you acknowledge to justify your stance?
Thesis formula:
”Show” synonyms: reveal,
emphasize, suggest,
highlight, create, reject
)
The author uses(________)to show (_______.
text evidence:
literary devices,
tone, craft, etc..
your analysis
EXAMPLE: Ray Bradbury uses particular word choice and sensory
details to reveal the theme that jealousy can turn into pain leading
us to hate and criticize the object of our envy.
Thesis formula with counterclaim:
Acknowledge counterclaim + stance + rationale
EXAMPLE: Although some readers might argue that Ray Bradbury’s,
“All Summer in a Day,” uses the sun as a symbol for hope, it is clear
by the children’s actions and the lessons learned that the sun is a
symbol of the pain and jealousy that exists in the short story.
Linking words in English
Linking words are used to link together ideas in your text. They help the
reader follow your argument by showing the relationships between different
sentences or sections. These are some words you can use to link your text
evidence to analysis or to link your two texts to each other.
EMPHASIS
ADDITION
CONTRAST
ORDER
• Undoubtedly
• Additionally
• Unlike
• First/Firstly
• Indeed
• In addition
• Nevertheless
• Second/
Secondly
• Obviously
• Also
• On the other
hand
• Third/Thirdly
• Particularly
• As well as
• One might
argue…
• Finally
• In particular
• Moreover
• In contrast to..
• At this time
• Importantly
• Not only
• Whereas
• Following
• It should be
noted
• Apart from
this
• However
• Previously
• Clearly
• Finally
• Alternatively
• Before
• Evidently
• Then
• Whereas
• Subsequently
• For this reason
• Again
• In spite of
• Additionally
• For example
• In other
words
• For this reason
• Consequently
• Such as
• In the same
way
• To put it
differently
• At times
Body paragraph transition words and starters
Some words and phrases to help you start your body paragraphs in a way
that transitions nicely from paragraph to paragraph throughout the essay.
In the…
Another way…
Alternatively, in the…
Another way…
Both stories...
Early in the text…
From the beginning…
Throughout the…
The authors use of…
There are multiple…
Both texts…
Author’s
name
(_____)’s style of…
40
editing revising
Capitalization
q Proper nouns
q Paper headings
q Sentence beginnings
q Essay title
Usage/grammar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vs.
Add or remove
q Add sentences or words to make
your essay better
q Remove sentences or words to
make your essay better
Move or substitute
q Subject-verb agreement
q Change a word and/or sentence or
q Fragments and run on
placement to make your writing
sentences
more clear or concise
q Sentences have proper length q If a word has been used too many
q Verb tense consistency
times, then work to come up with
q Subject-verb agreement
substitutes for that word.
Punctuation
q Every sentence ends with a
punctuation mark
q Textual evidence is
correctly punctuated with
quotation marks.
spelling
formatting
q
q
q
q
q
q
Correctly indented paragraphs
Correctly formatted heading
Correctly formatted title
Dialogue correctly formatted
Correct spacing
Correct font type and size
q Cited textual evidence that most
strongly supported analysis of
what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text
q Drew evidence from texts to
support analysis, reflection, and
research.
q Contains strong analysis of literary
element or device: theme,
author’s craft, etc.
q Introduced claim(s).
q Acknowledged and distinguished
from alternate or opposing claims.
q Organized the reasons and
evidence logically.
q Supported claim(s) with clear
reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources and
demonstrating an understanding
of the topic or text.
q Used words, phrases, and clauses
to clarify the relationships among
claim(s) counterclaims, reasons,
and evidence.
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
q Checked by peer
q Checked using spell check
in typed document
q All spelling and grammar
suggestions checked in
typed essay
q Checked for commonly
confused words (their,
there, it’s, its, etc.)
Literary analysis elements
MLA formatting
Essay heading aligned to the left
Last name and page number
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student name
Teacher name
Course number
date
Title centered
and same font
as rest of
essay
Double spaced
throughout
the entire
essay
Times New Roman Font, Size 12
1-inch margins
Author’s last
name and page
number, after
the quotation
marks and
inside
parenthesis
when citing
evidence.
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
Analysis Reference notebook
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
NO TABS OPTION
summarizing Vs. Analyzing
Analysis
Makes an argument or reaches a conclusion.
Chooses specific elements or areas to focus on or to dig
deeper into (i.e., theme, author’s craft, tone, etc.)
Examines and interprets an element or each element.
Discusses why each element is important or significant.
Discusses how each element connects to other pieces.
Might discuss effectiveness or ineffectiveness.
Might address counterclaims.
Goes beyond the text and beyond what is right in front of you.
An interpretation or a ”point” one is trying to prove.
Analysis goes beyond plot summary to explore a theory
a reader has.
summary
The facts that are available to anyone who has read
the text are summary.
Identifies the main point(s).
Identifies what is stated.
No arguments or conclusion is presented.
nine
eight
seven
six
five
four
three
two
one
Literary analysis elements
A Strong Introduction
An introduction names the title and author,
summarizes the text, and names your claim.
Thesis statement
States the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control
the ideas within the paper. It often reflects a judgment that a
writer has made about a reading or personal experience.
claim
Claims are matters of opinion, but they are stated as if they are
facts and backed up with evidence throughout the entire essay.
A focus on a literary element and/or device
Literary devices are typical structures used by writers in their
works to convey their messages in a simple manner to readers.
Summary to preface analysis
A summary condenses and restates the context of a text. It
gives “just the facts.” An analysis breaks a text into smaller
pieces in order to examine each piece.
Analysis
Analysis is detailed examination of the elements
or structure of something.
Relevant text evidence
Citing textual evidence requires students to look back into the text for
evidence to make a claim, to think more deeply about the text, analyze
the author, and find strong evidence to support their ideas.
Counter claims
By acknowledge the valid points the other side of the argument or
alternative interpretations (counterclaim) you show that you have
considered all points and have a more effective argument.
A strong conclusion
A strong conclusion might restate the claim in a different way,
leave readers with something to think about, suggest a further way
of thinking, or show how the claim of the essay connects to life.
annotating literature
Helps the reader focus on what they are
reading.
Helps the reader understand the details of
a text.
Helps the reader keep track of their thoughts
and feelings.
Helps the reader note and keep track of
important details.
Helps the reader prepare for discussions.
Helps the reader to prepare to write about a
text, specifically an analytical text.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
When should I annotate?
When I am confused.
When I find strong text evidence.
When I don’t know what a word means.
When I make a connection to another piece of writing.
When I notice a key detail.
When something is important to remember.
When I am surprised by something I read.
When I want to remember something.
When I see patterns or repetition in the text.
When I want to jot down an idea that the text gave me.
When I want to question something.
When I want to summarize.
When I want to rephrase something in my own words.
When I notice that a prediction I made came true.
Annotation symbols
*
Important
E
Evidence to note
_
Key word or detail
!
I’m surprised
?
I understand
I love this part
I don’t understand
Connections
Unfamiliar word or phrase
write
Write important thoughts in
the margins
Theme statements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Human beings are
always searching for
acceptance.
Adoption is beautiful,
but not free from
struggles.
Bravery comes in
many forms.
Change is hard.
Human being are
courageous when
they are called upon
to have courage.
Family is important.
Family is important, but
it is okay to have
boundaries.
Don’t judge a book by
its cover.
Greed can ruin your
life.
Kindness is one of the
most important things
we can give to others.
Love is blind.
With great power,
comes great
responsibility.
Wisdom comes from
learning through life
experiences.
Perseverance pays off
in the end.
Only the strong survive.
Life isn’t always fair.
We should remember
where we came from.
Theme topics in literature
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acceptance
Adoption
Ambition
Apathy
Art
Beauty
Betrayal
Birth
Bravery
Change
Communication
Cooperation
Courage
Creativity
Cultures
Death
Discovery
Divorce
Dreams
Equality
Fairness
Faith
Family
Friendship
Good vs. Evil
Greed
Growing Up
Happiness
Hate
Honesty
Hope
Immortality
Independence
Judgment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Loneliness
Love
Moving
Music
Nature
Peace
Peer Pressure
Perseverance
Power
Pride
Progress
Religion
Rumors
Running away
Sacrifice
School Life
Science
Self-Discovery
Self-Esteem
Sharing
Siblings
Suffering
Survival
Teamwork
Temptation
Trust
War
Wealth
Wisdom
Youth
©Martina Cahill – the hungry teacher
Author’s craft one
Author’s craft
Definition
Purpose
Compares two unlike
things using “like” or
“as.”
To describe through
comparison.
Metaphor
Comparing two things
that are not alike to
suggest they have
something in common.
To describe through
comparison.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration that
can’t possibly be true.
To emphasize the magnitude
of something through
exaggerated comparison.
Personification
Giving something
unhuman, actual human
qualities.
To bring things to life.
Allusion
An allusion is a figure of
speech that makes a
reference to a place,
person, or event.
Straightforward: device to
enhance a text by providing
further meaning; More
complex sense: to make an
ironic comment on one thing.
Alliteration
The repetition of
beginning consonant
sounds in two or more
neighboring words or
syllables.
Sounds pleasing; to get the
attention of readers; to signify
that the alliterative words are
linked together, and it puts a
spotlight on the subject.
Assonance
Repetition of the sound
of a vowel stressed
syllables Ex: She seems
to beam rays of sunshine
with her green eyes.
To create rhythm within a
description.
An attitude of a writer
toward a subject or an
audience.
Affects how the reader
perceives the writer's
intentions.
Symbolism
The use of symbols to
represent ideas or
qualities.
To add emotion; kind of a
secret language between
the reader and author.
Imagery or
Visually descriptive or
figurative language.
Appeals to the five senses:
sight, sound, smell, touch,
taste; gets the reader to feel
like they are there with you.
Simile
Tone
sensory details
Author’s craft two
Author’s craft
Definition
Purpose
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time earlier
than the main story.
To help readers better
understand present-day
elements in the story or learn
more about a character.
Flashforward
Move to a scene in a
movie, novel, etc. that
is set in a time later than
the main story.
To reveal significant parts of
the story that have not yet
occurred, but soon will in
greater detail.
Cliffhanger
A component of a story
ends unresolved.
To compel audiences to turn
the page or return to the story
in the next installment.
Foreshadowing
An indication or hint of
what is to come later in
the story.
Create suspense, feeling of
unease, a sense of curiosity,
or a mark that things may not
be as they seem.
suspense
An uneasy feeling that
a reader gets when
they don't know what is
going to happen next.
Heighten tension during a
dramatic scene. Conceal
answers they don’t want to
give away. Build up to a twist.
Style
The way authors express
their ideas. It's how they
say something, not
what they say.
Styles in writing are created
deliberately by the author to
convey a specific mood or
effect.
Text
structure
The way authors
organize the text:
chapters, sections,
sentences, diary, etc.
focuses attention on key
concepts and relationships,
anticipate what is to come.
Character
dialogue
Communication
between two
characters— spoken
out loud; denoted by
quotation marks.
Helps reveal character traits,
reveals relationships, can
show tension between
characters, and should move
the story along.
A genre is a book or
story category defined
by style, content, and
form.
The specific genre can helps
tell the story accurately as
well as sets the reader up for
the text’s purpose.
The narrator’s position in
the story.
The author uses point of view
as a very intentional as part of
their craft.
Flashback
genre
Point of
view
symbolism
color
meaning
SYMBOL
MEANING
black
Elegance, power,
mystery, evil,
death, depressed
Hope, objective, dreams,
letting go
white
Innocence, safety,
illumination, pure,
perfect
Immortality, birth, protection,
strength, innocence
red
Romance,
leadership, death,
danger, blood
Pressure, time, overwhelm,
death, mortality, end
orange
Abundance,
warmth, success,
caution
Warmth, new, life, overcoming
obstacles, fresh start, clarity,
positivity
yellow
Joy, happiness,
warmth, positivity,
intelligence
Growth, new seasons, hope,
renewal, revival, hope
blue
Loyalty,
confidence,
stability, wisdom,
justice
Consumption, warmth, wisdom,
knowledge, life, death,
destruction, rebirth,
resurrection, passion
green
Nature, life, safety,
jealousy, envy
Death, darkness, evil,
misfortunate
purple
Luxury, royalty,
abundance,
ambition, mystery
Wisdom, maturity, death,
shapeshifting, knowledge
brown
Warmth,
foundation, earth,
wholesome,
security, dirty
Rebirth, determination,
unhappiness, cleansing,
calmness, growth, rebirth
grey
Conservative, lack
of emotion, grace,
technology,
depression
Victory, valor, skill
pink
Love, romance,
feminine
Power, transformation, change
GOOD examples
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is
usually a one-sentence
claim you are making
about a topic or text.
Usually the last sentence of
your introduction.
It tells the reader what your
essay will be about and
directs them to your main
pieces of evidence.
It tells your opinion on the
topic and what you’re
going to prove in the
essay.
It describes ways in which
you will support and
develop your claim.
1
2
In O. Henry’s, ”The Gift of the Magi,” he
uses the literary device of irony to reveal
that giving is better than receiving.
In Amy Tan’s, “Fish Cheeks,” the author
uses figurative language to emphasize
how we should be proud of where we
come from.
NOT SO GOOD examples
1 TOO GENERAL OR BROAD: The author
uses his craft to reveal several themes.
2 ASKING A QUESTION: Are sensory
details good author’s craft?
3 CLICHÉ: The best gift is one you can’t
buy.
4 ANNOUNCEMENT: “In this paper I will…”
Questions to answer to develop a thesis statement:
What is your topic or text?
What is your stance or claim?
What is your rationale for this stance?
What counterclaim or opposing view will
you acknowledge to justify your stance?
Thesis formula:
”Show” synonyms: reveal,
emphasize, suggest,
highlight, create, reject
)
The author uses(________)to show (_______.
text evidence:
literary devices,
tone, craft, etc..
your analysis
EXAMPLE: Ray Bradbury uses particular word choice and sensory
details to reveal the theme that jealousy can turn into pain leading
us to hate and criticize the object of our envy.
Thesis formula with counterclaim:
Acknowledge counterclaim + stance + rationale
EXAMPLE: Although some readers might argue that Ray Bradbury’s,
“All Summer in a Day,” uses the sun as a symbol for hope, it is clear
by the children’s actions and the lessons learned that the sun is a
symbol of the pain and jealousy that exists in the short story.
Linking words in English
Linking words are used to link together ideas in your text. They help the
reader follow your argument by showing the relationships between different
sentences or sections. These are some words you can use to link your text
evidence to analysis or to link your two texts to each other.
EMPHASIS
ADDITION
CONTRAST
ORDER
• Undoubtedly
• Additionally
• Unlike
• First/Firstly
• Indeed
• In addition
• Nevertheless
• Second/
Secondly
• Obviously
• Also
• On the other
hand
• Third/Thirdly
• Particularly
• As well as
• One might
argue…
• Finally
• In particular
• Moreover
• In contrast to..
• At this time
• Importantly
• Not only
• Whereas
• Following
• It should be
noted
• Apart from
this
• However
• Previously
• Clearly
• Finally
• Alternatively
• Before
• Evidently
• Then
• Whereas
• Subsequently
• For this reason
• Again
• In spite of
• Additionally
• For example
• In other
words
• For this reason
• Consequently
• Such as
• In the same
way
• To put it
differently
• At times
Body paragraph transition words and starters
Some words and phrases to help you start your body paragraphs in a way
that transitions nicely from paragraph to paragraph throughout the essay.
In the…
Another way…
Alternatively, in the…
Another way…
Both stories...
Early in the text…
From the beginning…
Throughout the…
The authors use of…
There are multiple…
Both texts…
Author’s
name
(_____)’s style of…
53
editing revising
Capitalization
q Proper nouns
q Paper headings
q Sentence beginnings
q Essay title
Usage/grammar
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vs.
Add or remove
q Add sentences or words to make
your essay better
q Remove sentences or words to
make your essay better
Move or substitute
q Subject-verb agreement
q Change a word and/or sentence or
q Fragments and run on
placement to make your writing
sentences
more clear or concise
q Sentences have proper length q If a word has been used too many
q Verb tense consistency
times, then work to come up with
q Subject-verb agreement
substitutes for that word.
Punctuation
q Every sentence ends with a
punctuation mark
q Textual evidence is
correctly punctuated with
quotation marks.
spelling
Correctly indented paragraphs
Correctly formatted heading
Correctly formatted title
Dialogue correctly formatted
Correct spacing
Correct font type and size
Editing vs.
q
q
q
q
q
q
martina cahill- the hungry teacher
formatting
q Cited textual evidence that most
strongly supported analysis of
what the text says explicitly as well
as inferences drawn from the text
q Drew evidence from texts to
support analysis, reflection, and
research.
q Contains strong analysis of literary
element or device: theme,
author’s craft, etc.
q Introduced claim(s).
q Acknowledged and distinguished
from alternate or opposing claims.
q Organized the reasons and
evidence logically.
q Supported claim(s) with clear
reasons and relevant evidence,
using credible sources and
demonstrating an understanding
of the topic or text.
q Used words, phrases, and clauses
to clarify the relationships among
claim(s) counterclaims, reasons,
and evidence.
revising
q Checked by peer
q Checked using spell check
in typed document
q All spelling and grammar
suggestions checked in
typed essay
q Checked for commonly
confused words (their,
there, it’s, its, etc.)
Literary analysis elements
MLA formatting
Essay heading aligned to the left
Last name and page number
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student name
Teacher name
Course number
date
Title centered
and same font
as rest of
essay
Double spaced
throughout
the entire
essay
Times New Roman Font, Size 12
1-inch margins
Author’s last
name and page
number, after
the quotation
marks and
inside
parenthesis
when citing
evidence.
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