Sample Analytical Sentence Outline- AP Literary Analysis Paper
Remember, the first steps are to create essential questions, then gather evidence to help support your answers to the
questions. Try to focus on 4-5 questions and then decide one to focus on as your main topic. Each question may become
a body paragraph. Once you’ve settled on a topic, you can list categorical subtopics (body paragraphs) that will support
your thesis. Your thesis is also a working thesis, where you will need to revise or update as your write.
Thesis: To truly show the corruption of the Medieval society of England, Chaucer gives voice to
various characters from different social classes using a satirical and sometimes critical tone.
Paragraph 1: Wife of Bath
Topic Sentence: The Wife of Bath’s Tale shows the corruption of knights and the
underlying problems of the chivalric code.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-Knight raped a girl
-Woman has power and sends out knight on a quest- reversal
-The knight gets what he wants in the end with a loyal and beautiful wife- hyperbole
Paragraph 2: Knight’s Tale
Topic Sentence: The Knight’s Tale displays the skewed focus of the society, who care more
about money and victory in battle than true love or individuals’ desires.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-Theseus builds giant arena for the battle
-Arcite prays to Mars for victory (ironically wins but does not get the girl)
-Emily doesn’t get her wish for chastity and is told to marry
Paragraph 3: Merchant’s Tale
Topic Sentence: The Merchant’s Tale displays the lack of respect in marriage due to the
societal practice of arranged marriages built on status instead of love.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-May cheats on January in a Pear Tree
-January is “blind” to see May’s true nature because he picks her for her looks
-Damien does not respect his elders due to the forced marriage of May and January
Paragraph 4: The Summoner’s Tale
Topic Sentence: In the Summoner’s Tale, the church is a target due to the corruption of the
friar, supposedly working for the church, but really working for money for himself.
Evidence: (Include quotes from primary AND secondary sources)
-Friar preaches about greed and anger to a man who shows neither characteristic
-Friar is not intelligent, trying to share a fart amongst multiple other friars
-Friar commands wife to feed him and take care of him in a selfish manner
You get the idea?
Note: You will most likely need to add transitional words to your topic sentences once the order of
the body paragraphs is set.