Literary Analysis
Research Paper
Expectations & Requirements
Mrs. Barnett
What is a literary analysis?
• A literary analysis is not merely a summary of a
literary work. Instead, it is an argument about
the work that expresses a writer’s personal
perspective, interpretation, judgment, or critical
evaluation of the work.
– This analysis is accomplished by examining the literary
devices, word choices, or writing structures the author
uses within the work.
– The purpose of a literary analysis is to demonstrate
why the author used specific ideas, word choices, or
writing structures to convey his or her message.
Unit Assignments and Deadlines
Step in the process
Step 1: Background Information
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Step 2: Choose your topic
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Step 3: Research your topic/questions /read
your provided articles
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What you will turn in/ do/ etc.
TKAM Index of Quotes
April 19/22
“What I Know & Need to Know & Where I
Might Find It” Topic Selection Worksheet
April 23/24
Literary Criticism Quotes Worksheet
Research Notes Sheets with full MLA citation
information
Due Date
April 25/26
April 29/30
Step 4: Develop your thesis
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Thesis statement Worksheet
May 1/2
Step 5: Paragraph Organizer/ Organize your
research
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Paragraph organizer Worksheet
Outline submitted to turnitin.com
May 3/6
Step 6: Write your paper
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Printed first draft
Includes Works Cited page
Teacher conference worksheet
May 7 – 1st Lab 145
May 7 – 3rd & 4th Lab 213
May 8 – Lab 214 (B day)
May 9 – 1st & 2nd Media
May 9 – 3rd & 4th Lab 213
May 10 – Lab 214 (B day)
Step 7: Revise and Edit
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Revising and editing checklist worksheet
Teacher Conference worksheet
Peer Conference worksheet
Step 8: Write and submit final copy
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Submission of the final copy to turnitin.com
May 13 – 1st & 2nd Media
May 13 – 3rd & 4th Lab 213
May 14 – Lab 214 (B day)
May 21 – 1st-4th Lab 213
May 22 – Lab 214 (B day)
Requirements of the paper
• 750-1000 words (body of paper-not the
Works Cited or Header)
• Use THREE Literary Criticisms (from
the eight (8) articles provided)
– Must be at least one QUOTE from each
criticism as well as references to them
(summarizing/paraphrasing)
• Use at least three quotes from To Kill a
Mockingbird
Step 1: Background Information
• Index of Quotes.
You will be completing an INDEX OF
QUOTES on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird’s
important passages in the text.
Step 2: Choose your topic
• Read the text closely several
times.
• Brainstorm a list of potential
topics.
• Think about what the author
is trying to say.
• Select a topic that has
sufficient supporting
evidence.
• Complete the WHAT I
KNOW & NEED TO KNOW
& WHERE I MIGHT FIND IT
worksheet.
– Symbolism (of Mockingbird, mad dog,
others)
– Racism (its effect on novel, character
of Tom Robinson)
– Classism (its effect on characters in
the novel)
– Gender issues (How Scout differs
from norm of time; other female
characters)
– Atticus as a hero or an anti-hero
– Analysis of a main character (Atticus,
Scout, or Jem)
– Analysis of minor characters and their
significance to novel (try to pick at
least three or three types of minor
characters)
– Setting and its importance to the novel
Step 3: Do the Research
• Read the articles about your issue using the article packet
provided (which came from GALE database online).
– Complete the LITERARY CRITICISM QUOTES worksheet
• Take notes on the NOTES SHEETS. Be sure to cite each
source using MLA citation instructions.
• Keep track of PARAGRAPH numbers as you take notes.
• Be sure to cite each source you use on your Source Sheet.
• EIGHT ARTICLE SOURCES are in the packet. You will be
citing each one used in your research paper PLUS THE BOOK
To Kill a Mockingbird.
GALE Online Database:
At home go to: http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/sebr13597
Password: student
Step 4: Develop your thesis
• Write a working thesis.
• Interpret the evidence.
– When writing a literary analysis, it is very
important for writers to make sure they
express their own personal interpretation
of the work. Be careful that the literary
analysis is not a summary.
• Complete the THESIS WORKSHEET.
Step 5: Organize your information into a PARAGRAPH
ORGANIZER and a typed TOPIC OUTLINE.
• PARAGRAPH ORGANIZER worksheet
will help a writer to organize his/her
thoughts and ideas.
• The TOPIC OUTLINE will remind a
writer of the order of the thesis, as well
as the supporting points he/she would
like each topic sentence to have.
– The outline needs to be written entirely in
complete sentences and typed.
Step 6: Write your paper
• MLA Style Guide—In-Text Citation
– For your research paper, you will need to
cite where each piece of information came
from WITHIN THE BODY OF YOU
PAPER!
• Works Cited Page
– Thanks to the GALE database, the articles
have information in the correct MLA format
online.
In-Text/Parenthetical Citations
• Citations that go within the body of your paper.
• When you hear “parenthetical,” think of
parentheses. (
)
• Generally, author’s last name and page or
paragraph number go in these.
• You need to cite a source whenever:
– You quote exact words from a source
– You paraphrase information or ideas from a source
– You summarize information or ideas from a source
Step 6: Write your paper
MLA Style Guide—Works Cited Page
• How to cite your sources at the END of your research
paper, on your Works Cited page.
• First, you start on a NEW page after the end of your
paper. At the top, you write the title: Works Cited and
center it.
• List your resources in ALPHABETICAL ORDER. Most
of your resources will be alphabetized by the author’s
last name, because that is the first thing mentioned.
However, if a source has no author, then you will
alphabetize it by the first word of the name of the article.
Sample Works Cited Page
• Alphabetized by
author’s last
name.
• Different kinds
of sources
require different
information.
• A list of source
types and
examples will
be given.
Step 6: Typing your paper
•
•
•
•
•
Use Times New Roman, 12-point font
Set typing for double space
Do not mess with the margins . . . the default settings are just fine,
which are 1”. If you do, I’ll know . . . you won’t be fooling anyone.
Page numbering in header with Last Name on all pages except the
title page
For your title page, use the following format:
– Center all information. No fancy fonts, bold, or anything like that. Italicize a
book’s name if used as the title…To Kill A Mockingbird
– Give your paper a title
– Include your name
– Include Mrs. Barnett, English III and your period number
– Include the date
– Include word count (body of paper-not the Works Cited or Header)
Step 7: Revising and Editing
• Print 1st copy of your typed first draft of
your research paper and staple a
TEACHER CONFERENCE form with
your information filled out to teacher.
• Print a 2nd copy of your typed first draft
of your research paper and staple a
PEER CONFERENCE form with your
information filled out.
Step 7: Revising and Editing
• Use the REVISING CHECKLIST SHEET to
take another look at your own paper.
• Trade papers with a peer and use the stapled
PEER CONFERENCE form to make
suggestions for his/her paper.
Step 8: Revise and submit final copy
• Use the revision you and your peers
have made to correct your rough draft.
• Do not throw away your rough draft, as
you will turn it in with the final copy.
• You must submit the final copy to
www.turnitin.com and print a receipt.
Grades: Below is a list of grades you will receive during this unit; please note—you
must keep all parts of this project as they are returned because you have to turn them
back at the end.
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Assignments
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TKAM Index of quotes 20
Topic selection sheet
10
Literary Criticism quotes20
Research Notes and Source Sheet20
Thesis
10
Topic Outline/Paragraph Organizer
First Draft –typed with 2 printed copies*
Final Draft -submitted 200
Point value
20
50
*1 printed copy – Teacher Conference form and 1 printed copy – Peer
Conference form
• http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/1155
8390/you-cant-just-google-it