Literary Analysis Essay

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Literary Analysis Essay Example
Prompt: In the form of a multiparagraph essay, explain the role that irony plays in O. Henry’s “A Retrieved Reformation.
Your claim must be supported by documented evidence.
I.
Prompt Analysis (Start by annotating the prompt.)
A. Audience: not specified; must assume an instructor: educated; will expect formal writing
B. Format: many paragraphs, which generally means at least 5; a formal writing adheres to MLA guidelines:
twelve-point font; double spaced; works-cited page; proper headers on each page
C. Purpose:
1. I must find examples of irony.
2. I must explain how the irony plays a role in the story.
II.
Outline the key elements of the essay.
A. Thesis statement outline:
1. Claim: In O. Henry’s “A Retrieved Reformation,” irony . . . (think of three action verbs)
2. Irony role #1: provides humor for the reader,
3. Irony role #2: features indirect characterization for several characters,
4. Irony role #3: and clarifies the theme of the story.
B. Formal thesis statement: Indeed, O. Henry’s persistent use of irony in “A Retrieved Reformation”
provides humor for the reader, features indirect characterization for several characters, and clarifies
the theme of the story.
C. Outline for the evidence:
1. Irony role #1: (humor)
a) verbal irony (page 2): Jimmy says his suit case is full of nickel-plated shoe horns.
b) verbal irony (page 1): Jimmy says he never cracked a safe in his life.
c) verbal irony (page 3): Jimmy says he’s getting awfully economical.
d) dramatic irony (page 2): Jimmy’s says the boy does not need to help with his suitcase because it
is rather heavy.
2. Irony role#2: (indirect characterization)
a) dramatic irony (page 3): Jimmy’s father-in-law is happy to show Jimmy, a convicted safe cracker,
how the bank’s vault works;
b) dramatic irony (page 3): Mr. Adams says there is not a man nearer than little rock who can break
into the safe.
c) dramatic irony (page 3): Annabel comments on the heaviness of the suitcase and suggests that it
must be full of gold bricks.
3. Irony role #3: (theme)
a) situational irony (page 3 & 4): Jimmy finds his reformation by breaking into a bank vault.
b) situational irony (page 3): Jimmy has to put aside his new identity (Mr. Spencer) and become
Jimmy Valentine again in order to maintain his new life as Mr. Spencer.
c) verbal irony (page 4): Ben Price says that he does not recognize Mr. Spencer.
Literary Essay Assignment
Prompt: In the form of a multiparagraph essay, explain the role that irony plays in either Mildred Taylor’s Roll of
Thunder, Hear My Cry. Your claim must be supported by documented evidence.
I.
On a separate sheet of paper, analyze the prompt and outline the key parts of the essay—the thesis
statement and the evidence for the roles that irony plays within the novel. Be sure to complete this is the
same format that I did for “A Retrieved Reformation.”
II.
After you finish the prompt analysis and outline of the key components, complete the tasks below in order
to fill in the gaps for your essay. Use my mentor essay as a guide.
III.
Title (On the lines provided, brainstorm possibilities for a title that is expresses the main idea and is catchy
and short.
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IV.
Attention getter (Hook) – Now, brainstorm a question, quote, startling statistic, or interesting dialogue.
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V.
Analysis: Tell what each example is showing within your body paragraphs.
A. Body paragraph #1:____________________________________________________________
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B. Body paragraph #2:____________________________________________________________
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C. Body paragraph #3:____________________________________________________________
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Essay Rubric
1
Ideas and Development
Organization, Unity, and Coherence
Word Choice
Sentences and Paragraphs
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
2
3
4
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