Short Story Literary Analysis
Introduction
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The introduction must introduce the author,
the title of the story and state the thesis of
the analysis.
Do not forget that the entire essay must be
written in present tense!!!!
Your thesis is the last statement in your
introduction.
Body Paragraphs
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Each body paragraph must focus on one
claim that proves your thesis to be true.
For example, The conflict in “The Most
Dangerous Game” reveals the theme that
we can not understand another’s
perspective until we have experienced his
perspective.
Quotes
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Each body paragraph must include at least
one quote and must follow proper format
for integrating quotes.
Examples of literary devices:
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How does the author use the following literary devices to
develop the theme of the story?
Setting
Characterization (character’s actions, inner thoughts and
motivation. Is the character dynamic?)
Foreshadowing
Irony
Point of view (who is telling the story?)
Symbolism
Plot (conflict, climax, resolution)
Conclusion
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The conclusion must restate the thesis and
summarize the impact of the thesis on the
reader.
Details
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This is at least a four paragraph essay.
Do not use personal pronouns or
contractions.
One page typed. Times 12 double spaced.
You must use a minimum of two quotes.
I know what you are
thinking……So, what
exactly is a Literary
Analysis?
A literary analysis is a type of paper that has
the ultimate goal of bringing some new or
greater understanding of the book, story, or
poem. In addition, it is an argument because
you are proposing something original about
the text which may not have been thought of
before, or you are adding more to an existing
thesis surrounding the book.
What does it look like?
A good literary analysis has the following components:
*It has a solid and unique thesis statement that clearly is
arguable. Your goal is to prove this thesis statement!
*It has a solid introduction, body, and conclusion. It uses
effective transitions and the writer analyzes sufficient
textual support from the book.
*There is at least one bit of meaningful textual support in
each body paragraph.
Other helpful tips!
1. Write in the present tense
2. Avoid summarizing the plot (i.e., retelling the story
literally). Instead analyze (form a thesis about and explain)
the story in literary terms.
2. Support your points with many quotations and
paraphrases, but write the majority of your paper in your
own words with your own ideas.
Summary versus Analysis
A summary re-tells a story.
 An analysis examines the cause or effect of an
incident in the story, compares or contrasts 2
characters, explains how an event occurred etc…
Ex: Mary had a little lamb
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Summary: Mary had a little lamb. It followed her to
school. No lambs were allowed in school. The
children laughed.
Analysis: one reason Mary may have brought the
lamb to school was to get attention. All the children
“laughed and played”, making Mary feel at the
center and popular.
Quote Examples
My Idea
 Mary appears to have a fetish for lamb wool
2. Quote
 Dr. Benton states that “ Mary’s proclivity for her
lamb makes her pet it often and bring it with her.”
(Benton 22)
3. Explanation of how quote supports my idea.
 Mary’s constant need to touch and stroke her lamb
illustrates Mary’s obsession.
1.
What is a Works Cited page?
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An alphabetized list of all the sources used
in your paper.
You need a Works Cited page or you are
PLAGERIZING!!!
1. Determine the type of source.
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Your literature book is an anthology. An
anthology is a collection of artistic works
(such as a group of short stories, or a group
of songs).
Identify the 6 pieces of information needed.
1. Author of the selection
2. Title of the selection
3. Title of the anthology
4. Editor of the anthology
5. Publication information
6. Page numbers of selection
Location:
Publisher,
year.
Integrating
Quotations
Every quotation should have a reference
that indicates where you got it.
“I shall not see on earth a place more dear”
“
Author:
Page:
Line #:
Anytime you quote something, you need to
give the author’s name and the page
number the quotation can be found on.
Example- Potok 78
NO PAGE
If you are quoting poetry, use the line
number instead of the page number.
Example- Homer lines 68-70
Type line or lines so
readers know you are
not referring to the
page number
The author’s last name and page number go after
the quotation inside of parentheses. This is
called the QUO-PAR-PUNC rule.
“I shall not see on earth a place more dear”
(Homer line 137).
QUO=
quotation
PAR=
parentheses
PUNC=
punctuation
You wouldn’t wear clothes that only cover
up the front-side or the back-side of your
body, so don’t leave your quotation half
naked either.
Odysseus speaks to Alcinous’ court
about his homeland in Ithaca, recalling,
“I shall not see on earth a place more
dear” (Homer line 137).
Thus, he demonstrates the Greek value of
loyalty to one’s homeland.
Clothe the Front
There are two ways to
begin a sentence that
includes a quotation.
1.
Use a signal phrase.
2.
Integrate the author’s words into your own
writing.
Signal Phrases
A signal phrase indicates that you are
about to use language that is not your
own.
Signal Phrases
If you do not show that these
are not your own words it is
PLAGERISM!
Signal Phrases
Example:
 Polyphemus says of Odysseus,
Example 1
Revise:
 Odysseus shows that he is an epic hero
in the Cyclops episode, “I would not
heed them in my glorying spirit,/ but
let my anger flare…” (Homer lines
500-501).
WARNING
Just adding a quotation to
the end of a related
sentence does not mean
that you have used a
signal phrase.
Example 1
Fixed:
 Odysseus reveals that he desires the
credit for his deeds, saying, “I would
not heed them in my glorying spirit,/
but let my anger flare…” (Homer
lines 500-501).
Be sure that you do not confuse
the author, Homer, with the
narrator, who is sometimes
Homer, sometimes Odysseus.
Example 2
Revise:
 Homer shows that Odysseus is an epic
hero by saying, “I drove them, all three
wailing, to the ships…” (line 211).
Example 2
Fixed:
 Odysseus shows his loyalty to his
homeland by forcing his men to
continue on their journey. He
explains, “I drove them, all three
wailing, to the ships…” (line 211).
Example 3
Revise:
 Odysseus cleverly deceives the
Cyclops. “My name is Nohbody…”
(Homer line 360).
Example 3
Fixed:
 Odysseus cleverly deceives the
Cyclops, declaring, “My name is
Nohbody…” (Homer line 360).
Example 4
Revise:
 “…make fair sacrifice to Lord Poseidon”
(Homer line 650). With these words,
Teiresias helps Odysseus to see that it has
been his pride that has kept him from
returning home, and he must admit his
mistake to Poseidon in order to right the
situation.
Example 4
Fixed:
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Teiresias confirms that Odysseus’ pride has
kept him from Ithaca, commanding him,
“…make fair sacrifice to Lord Poseidon”
(Homer line 650). Thus Teiresias reveals that
the only way for Odysseus to reestablish right
standing with the gods is to finally
acknowledge Poseidon’s help in the Trojan
War.
Signal phrases must introduce your
quote. You are not writing a
mystery story—don’t make the
reader guess where your quote
came from.
Do Not Refer to the
Quotation
Other than naked quotations,
the most common mistake is
referring directly to the
quotation.
Do Not Refer to the
Quotation
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Teiresias predicts the end of Odysseus’ life
in the quote: “seaborne death/ soft as this
hand of mist will come upon [him]”
(Homer lines 654-655).
Do Not Refer to the
Quotation
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Odysseus cleverly deceives the
Cyclops, declaring, “My name is
Nohbody…” (Homer line 360). This
quotation reveals that Odysseus uses
intelligence in situations wherein
strength is not an option.
For Future Reference…
 Quote
is a verb
 Quotation is a noun
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1.What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does the novel praise or
condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time?
2. Think about the two worlds, the Midwest and the East, as Fitzgerald describes them, and what
they represent for Nick and for Gatsby.
3. Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does
geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby?
4. What is Nick Carraway's role in the novel? Consider Nick's father's advice in chapter one:
"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't
had the advantages that you've had." Does telling the story from Nick's point of view make it more
believable?
5. What part of his past is Gatsby trying to recapture? Is he successful? Is there a person, feeling, or
event in your past that you'd want to revisit?
6. What is the meaning of the title? In what way is Gatsby great?
7. Why did Nick become involved with Jordan, and why did he break off the relationship?
8. Discuss Fitzgerald's use of symbols, such as the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, the green light on
Daisy's dock, and the valley of ashes.
9. What makes The Great Gatsby a classic novel? Why has it maintained its place in American
literature?
10. Discuss elements of the Jazz Age that Fitzgerald includes in The Great Gatsby.
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1. In what sense is The Great Gatsby an autobiographical novel?
Does Fitzgerald write more of himself into the character of Nick or
the character of Gatsby, or are the author’s qualities found in both
characters?
2. How does Gatsby represent the American dream? What does the
novel have to say about the condition of the American dream in the
1920s? In what ways do the themes of dreams, wealth, and time relate
to each other in the novel’s exploration of the idea of America?
3. Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom. How are they alike? How
are they different? Given the extremely negative light in which Tom
is portrayed throughout the novel, why might Daisy choose to remain
with him instead of leaving him for Gatsby?
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1. Discuss Gatsby’s character as Nick perceives him
throughout the novel. What makes Gatsby “great”?
2. What is Nick like as a narrator? Is he a reliable
storyteller, or does his version of events seem suspect?
How do his qualities as a character affect his narration?
3. What are some of The Great Gatsby’s most important
symbols? What does the novel have to say about the role
of symbols in life?
4. How does the geography of the novel dictate its themes
and characters? What role does setting play in The Great
Gatsby?