Literary Analysis
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Literary Analysis
4 Questions
1. What does the author say?
2. What does the story mean?
3. How do you know?
Plot
Theme
Literary techniques
4. Why does the meaning matter?
Personal response
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Literary Analysis
“Stories are for joining the past to the future. Stories are for eternity, when
memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember except the story”(38).
“I want you to feel what I felt. I want you to know why story-truth is truer
sometimes than happening-truth”(41).
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Steps in the Process
1. Write down themes (ideas) being discussed in the story (1 or 2 words).
2. Explain, in one sentence, what the author is saying about each theme.
3. Choose one theme and find at least 6 places in the story where the idea is
presented and/or developed.
4. Write an introduction paragraph (follow the directions as outlined).
5. Write three body paragraphs (follow directions for writing an 8 sentence
paragraph).
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6. Write a concluding paragraph (follow directions as outlined).
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Discovering Themes
Notice that the question(s) for the essay will actually give you a
clue as to what a theme of the story is. Sometimes you will be
given the idea(s) upon which to write. At other times you will
be expected to find the ideas by yourself.
• To begin the process, answer the following:
(Name of the story) is about (one or two words).
•Do not say what happens in the story. That is PLOT.
•Write down ideas the story is actually discussing. List as many as you can.
•Use abstract terms only (i.e. frustration, anger, love, self-acceptance).
You can type in this box
1.
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Now, expand on five of the themes you identified. What
does the author say ABOUT each theme you have chosen?
(Name of story) – A novel’s name is typed in italics or hand written and
underlined. All other titles are enclosed in quotes. – is about:
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Choose one idea from the previous slide
Using the story, find at least 6 exact places where that idea is
presented and/or developed.
Copy each sentence you select, OR in your own words, concretely
describe how the idea appears in that scene. (You may do either of
the above but it is usually better to do both.)
Note the page number at the end of the sentence and before the end
punctuation. i.e. (23).
1.
2.
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3.
4.
5.
6.
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Writing the Introduction Paragraph
The Basic Introduction
Following is a three sentence format. It is NOT REQUIRED—there
are many ways to start a paper in an interesting way—but this
approach is for those who panic at the sight of a blank page and
need the structure of a sentence-by-sentence layout.
The format looks like this:
Sentence #1:
all commentary or explanation
starts with a theme or themes from the
“This is a book about _____” list.
Sentence #2:
all commentary or explanation
says more about sentence #1
Sentence #3:
the thesis
starts with In (name of the book), . . .and
makes sense after sentences #1 and #2
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Here is an example:
The social structures and values of a society can
place obstacles in the path of the individual’s struggle for selfawareness and self-actualization.
(I also think that) Feelings of confusion, frustration, anger,
and sadness may result as the protagonist toils to understand
the relationship between the citizens and the government that
has control over them.
In name of story (the author thinks that) In Anthem,
Equality intuitively senses that there is a flaw in the political
thinking and is able to escape the societal restraints even
without the ability to language his understanding.
(I think that)
There is no concrete detail in this introduction.
When typed correctly, the introduction will look like this
The social structures and values of a society can place obstacles in the path of the
individual’s struggle for self-awareness and self-actualization. Feelings of confusion,
frustration, anger, and sadness may result as the protagonist toils to understand the
relationship between the citizens and the government that has control over them. In
Anthem, Equality intuitively senses that there is a flaw in the political thinking and is
able to escape the societal restraints even without the ability to language his
understanding.
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Now, fill in the blanks of the following sentence
(Story) is a discussion about (Expand on the idea contained in the
theme you chose from above)
is a discussion
about
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What thought do you have about the statement?
Next, what is another thought you have about the statement?
Finally, what do you think the story (and author) have to say about
the idea? (This will become your Thesis Statement)
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Introduction paragraph
(Story) is about
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I think that:
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I also think that:
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In (name of the story) the author thinks that:
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Link 2
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How to “THINK” through an essay
Note that you have been given some “thinking”
prompts. DO NOT ever begin any sentence with “I
think (believe, am going to prove, etc.) that”! If you
wrote it, the reader will make a “leap of faith” and
assume “you thought” it. It is never necessary for you
to announce when there is a thought coming. The
prompts are just to help you, the writer, know when
the writing must come from your head and when the
writing must come from the story.
If written correctly, you will always have a complete sentence even
when you “drop off” the words “I think that”.
Following is a “body paragraph” format. There are
“thinking” prompts here also. Once again, these are to
help you “think through” your essay. RARELY should
they be used in the final draft of your paper.
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Thesis Statement from the introductory paragraph: (just as a
reminder. Do not use this sentence again in your essay)
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Body Paragraph one Pre-write work sheet
Topic Sentence: (What part of your thesis will this paragraph explain?
Subject + commentary (your thought) about the subject.)
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Concrete Detail: (Choose one of your 6 sentences to go here)
For Example:
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Commentary: (Explain how you think the CD develops the subject
stated in the Topic Sentence?)
This shows that:
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Commentary: (Explain how you think the CD develops the subject
stated in the Topic Sentence?)
This also shows that:
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Concrete Detail: (Choose one of your 6 sentences to go here)
For example:
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Commentary: (Explain how you think the CD develops the subject
stated in the Topic Sentence?)
This shows that:
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Commentary: (Explain how you think the CD develops the subject
stated in the Topic Sentence?)
This also shows that:
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Concluding Sentence: (All commentary. What idea has your
paragraph presented? Do not simply repeat the Topic
Sentence. Restate it in some new and creative way. There
should also be some method of transition to the ideas of the
next paragraph)
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For an essay of more than one body paragraph,
go back and repeat the steps in slides 11
through 14
Remember! You may not repeat any KEY
words. Use a Thesaurus to improve your
vocabulary and your writing.
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Concluding Paragraph
(also called the conclusion)
The last paragraph in your essay.
It may:
 sum up your ideas,
 reflect on what you said in your essay,
 say more commentary about your subject,
 give a personal statement about the subject.
Your conclusion is ALL Commentary.
It does NOT include Concrete Detail.
It does not repeat KEY words from your paper
and especially not from your thesis and
introductory paragraph.
It gives a finished feeling to your whole essay.
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So, I think that (the author/name of the story) develops the idea that:
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The useful part of this idea is that:
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Finally, the reader will understand that:
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The End
and
The Beginning